Luke 13:5

3, 5. μετανοῆτε … ὁμοίως … μετανοήσητε … ὡσαύτως. The MSS. vary between these words, which makes it probable that different words were used in each text.

5. πάντες ὡσαύτως�. The readings of the word ‘likewise’ vary between ὁμοίως and ὡσαύτως; but no distinct difference of meaning between the two words can be established, unless the latter be rather stronger, ‘in the very same way.’ Here again the actual incidents of the siege of Jerusalem—the deaths of many under the falling ruins of the city (Jos. B. J. VI. 9, VII. 1)—are the directest comment on our Lord’s words which yet bear the wider significance of the warning in Romans 2:1-11. “Le carnage,” says Godet, “dû au glaive de Pilate, n’est que le prélude de celui que l’armée romaine consommera bientôt dans toute la Terre-Sainte.” He adds, that 40 years later, all that remained of the Galilean people, reunited in the Temple, was expiating under the blows of Titus the national impenitence. If we may judge from the MSS. the language of the two parallel questions (Luke 13:3-4) seems to have been purposely varied.