The incidents recorded and read in Luke's gospel this week are unique to that gospel. They appear neither in the other synoptic gospels nor in John. Despite the fact that both Jesus and Luke assume they are making reference to well-known tragedies in verses 1 and 4, those incidents are also not well represented in ancient historical texts.

Luke has just closed a section (12:57-59) that speaks of the power and the punishment the guilty may expect at the time of their judgment. The text closes with the righteous judge demanding "the very last penny" of what is due before deliverance can be expected. But Luke immediately moves to this week's text and one of his favorite topics _ repentance and divine mercy. Since this is the essence of the gospel for Luke, he cannot resist relating yet anothe…