Big Idea: The kingdom of God brings many surprises: not all who think they belong to it really do.

Understanding the Text

In 13:22 we are reminded that this whole section of the Gospel (beginning in 9:51) is set on the journey to Jerusalem, and that destination comes into clearer focus in 13:33–35: as Jesus looks ahead to the way Jerusalem will treat its “prophet,” we are prepared in advance for his eventual arrival there and his weeping over the unrepentant city in 19:41–44. Both Jesus (4:43; 8:1) and his disciples (9:2, 60; 10:9) have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom of God, and that proclamation now takes on a growing note of urgency, demanding a response.

Historical and Cultural Background

The Jewish expectation of an eschatological messianic banquet, derived ultimately from Is…