31 On that day there came near certain Pharisees, saying to him, 'Go forth, and be going on hence, for Herod doth wish to kill thee;' 32 and he said to them, 'Having gone, say to this fox, Lo, I cast forth demons, and perfect cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third 'day' I am being perfected; 33 but it behoveth me to-day, and to-morrow, and the 'day' following, to go on, because it is not possible for a prophet to perish out of Jerusalem. 34 'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that is killing the prophets, and stoning those sent unto her, how often did I will to gather together thy children, as a hen her brood under the wings, and ye did not will. 35 'Lo, your house is being left to you desolate, and verily I say to you—ye may not see me, till it may come, when ye may say, Blessed 'is' he who is coming in the name of the Lord.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 13:31-35
Commentary on Luke 13:31-35
(Read Luke 13:31-35)
Christ, in calling Herod a fox, gave him his true character. The greatest of men were accountable to God, therefore it became him to call this proud king by his own name; but it is not an example for us. I know, said our Lord, that I must die very shortly; when I die, I shall be perfected, I shall have completed my undertaking. It is good for us to look upon the time we have before us as but little, that we may thereby be quickened to do the work of the day in its day. The wickedness of persons and places which more than others profess religion and relation to God, especially displeases and grieves the Lord Jesus. The judgment of the great day will convince unbelievers; but let us learn thankfully to welcome, and to profit by all who come in the name of the Lord, to call us to partake of his great salvation.