Jesus’ Love for Jerusalem: An ESL Bible Study on Luke 13:31-35

This Bible study series is for people who are learning English. It is designed for advanced beginner and intermediate learners, but children or adults who prefer simple English may also enjoy it.

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Luke 13:31-35 Printable Discussion Questions

Luke 13:31-35 Printable ERV Passage

Lesson Icebreaker Question

When you were a child, who made you feel safe and cared for?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will learn how Jesus showed love to people, even when they did not listen to him. We will hear about his sadness for the city of Jerusalem and his courage to keep doing God’s work.

Vocabulary Lists for the ERV Bible Translation

Key Vocabulary Words (10 words)

bless: (verb) To ask God to be kind to someone.
demon: (noun) An evil spirit that follows the devil.
force out: (phrase) To make someone or something leave a place when they do not want to go.
gather: (verb) To bring people or things together.
heal: (verb) To make a sick or hurt person well again.
hen: (noun) A female chicken.
Pharisee: (noun) A religious leader who was very strict about rules.
prophet: (noun) A person who speaks messages from God.
stone to death: (phrase) To kill someone by throwing many heavy rocks at them.
wing: (noun) The part of a bird used for flying.

Important Words to Know (20 words)

bless: (verb) To ask God to be kind to someone.
chick: (noun) A very young bird.
completely: (adverb) In a way that is total or finished.
demon: (noun) An evil spirit that follows the devil.
empty: (adjective) Having nothing inside.
finish: (verb) To reach the end of a task.
force out: (phrase) To make someone or something leave a place when they do not want to go.
fox: (noun) A small wild animal like a dog with a bushy tail.
gather: (verb) To bring people or things together.
heal: (verb) To make a sick or hurt person well again.
hen: (noun) A female chicken.
Herod: (noun) A king who ruled in Israel during the time of Jesus.
name of the Lord: (phrase) The power and authority of God or Jesus.
Pharisee: (noun) A religious leader who was very strict about rules.
prophet: (noun) A person who speaks messages from God.
sent: (verb) To have caused someone to go to a place.
stone to death: (phrase) To kill someone by throwing many heavy rocks at them.
welcome: (verb) To greet someone in a friendly way.
wing: (noun) The part of a bird used for flying.
work: (noun) A job or the things a person must do.

Complete Lesson Word Bank

after: (preposition) Later than another time or event.
again: (adverb) One more time.
bless: (verb) To ask God to be kind to someone.
came: (verb) To have moved toward a person or a place.
chick: (noun) A very young bird.
come: (verb) To move toward a person or a place.
completely: (adverb) In a way that is total or finished.
demon: (noun) An evil spirit that follows the devil.
die: (verb) To stop living.
empty: (adjective) Having nothing inside.
finish: (verb) To reach the end of a task.
force out: (phrase) To make someone or something leave a place when they do not want to go.
fox: (noun) A small wild animal like a dog with a bushy tail.
gather: (verb) To bring people or things together.
go away: (phrase) To leave a person or a place.
God: (noun) The creator and ruler of everything.
heal: (verb) To make a sick or hurt person well again.
help: (verb) To do something useful for someone.
hen: (noun) A female chicken.
here: (adverb) In this place.
Herod: (noun) A king who ruled in Israel during the time of Jesus.
hide: (verb) To put something in a place where it cannot be seen.
Jerusalem: (noun) The most important city in Israel where the Temple was.
Jesus: (noun) The Son of God and the Savior of the world!
just: (adverb) A word used to show that something happened a very short time ago.
kill: (verb) To end the life of a person or an animal.
left: (adjective) Still remaining or staying in a place.
let: (verb) To allow something to happen.
Lord: (noun) A name that shows someone has power or authority.
must: (verb) To need to do something.
name of the Lord: (phrase) The power and authority of God or Jesus.
next: (adjective) Coming right after.
Pharisee: (noun) A religious leader who was very strict about rules.
prophet: (noun) A person who speaks messages from God.
sent: (verb) To have caused someone to go to a place.
should: (verb) A word used to say what is the right thing to do.
stone to death: (phrase) To kill someone by throwing many heavy rocks at them.
tell: (verb) To give information to someone by speaking.
times: (noun) The number of times something happens or is repeated.
together: (adverb) With each other.
under: (preposition) Below something.
until: (preposition) Up to a certain time.
welcome: (verb) To greet someone in a friendly way.
wing: (noun) The part of a bird used for flying.
work: (noun) A job or the things a person must do.

Summary of the Passage

This passage tells us about a time when Jesus was in danger. Some Pharisees came to Jesus. Pharisees were religious leaders who were very strict about rules. They told him that a man named Herod wanted to kill him. Herod was a king who ruled in that land.

Jesus was not afraid. He called Herod a fox. In those times, calling someone a fox meant they were tricky and not to be trusted. Jesus said he would keep forcing out demons and healing sick people. He knew he would die one day, yet he would not stop doing his work until the right time.

Then, Jesus spoke about the city of Jerusalem. This was the most important city for Jewish people. Many prophets had come there before Jesus. Prophets are people who speak messages from God. However, the people in the city did not listen to the prophets. They even used heavy rocks to stone to death the people God had sent.

Jesus said he felt like a mother hen who wanted to gather her chicks under her wings to keep them safe. He wanted to protect the people, yet they did not want his help. Jesus said their home would be left completely empty. He told them they would not see him again until they were ready to welcome him in the name of the Lord. Welcoming someone in the name of the Lord means to greet them as a special messenger who has God’s power and permission to lead.

This passage shows us Jesus’ deep love for people, even when they turned away from him. It teaches us that Jesus is brave, loving, and always finishes the work God gives him to do.

Read The Passage

Most English learners should use the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV), or the Good News Translation (GNT). If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions.

Jesus Will Die in Jerusalem
31 Just then some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away from here and hide. Herod wants to kill you!”
32 Jesus said to them,
“Go tell that fox,
‘Today and tomorrow I am forcing demons out of people and finishing my work of healing.
Then, the next day, the work will be finished.’
33 After that I must go, because all prophets should die in Jerusalem.
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem!
You kill the prophets.
You stone to death the people God has sent to you.
How many times I wanted to help your people.
I wanted to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
But you did not let me.
35 Now your home will be left completely empty.
I tell you, you will not see me again until that time when you will say,
‘Welcome!
God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Luke 13:31-35 (ERV)

Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 13:31-35 (ERV)
Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 13:31-35 (NIRV)
Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 13:31-35 (GNT)
Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 13:31-35 (NLT)
Hard: New International Version: Luke 13:31-35 (NIV)
Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 13:31-35 (ESV)

Luke 13:31-35 Printable ERV Passage

Comprehension Questions

Who came to warn Jesus about Herod?
What did the Pharisees tell Jesus?
What did Jesus call Herod?
What did Jesus say he would keep doing?
Where did Jesus say prophets are killed?
Why was Jesus sad for Jerusalem?
What did Jesus say he wanted to do for the people of Jerusalem?
What picture did Jesus use to show his love?
What would happen to the Temple?
When did Jesus say the people would see him again?

Application Questions

Have you ever tried to help someone who did not want your help? How did that feel?
Why do you think Jesus kept helping people, even when he was in danger?
What does it mean for you that Jesus loves people, even when they turn away?
How can we show love to people, even when it is hard?
What does this passage teach you about God’s heart for people?

Theological Insights

Jesus is brave and keeps doing God’s work, even when people want to stop him.
God sends messengers and prophets to help people, but many people do not listen.
Jesus loves people deeply, even when they turn away from him.
Jesus wanted to protect and care for the people of Jerusalem, like a mother hen with her chicks.
God’s plan will happen at the right time, and Jesus will finish his work.