Luke 23:31 For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

◄ Luke 23:31 ►

New International Version
For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

New Living Translation
For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

English Standard Version
For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Berean Standard Bible
For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Berean Literal Bible
For if they do these things in the green tree, what might take place in the dry?"

King James Bible
For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

New King James Version
For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”

New American Standard Bible
For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

NASB 1995
“For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

NASB 1977
“For if they do these things in the green tree, what will happen in the dry?”

Legacy Standard Bible
For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Amplified Bible
For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Christian Standard Bible
For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

American Standard Version
For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Contemporary English Version
If this can happen when the wood is green, what do you think will happen when it is dry?

English Revised Version
For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If people do this to a green tree, what will happen to a dry one?"

Good News Translation
For if such things as these are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

International Standard Version
And if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Majority Standard Bible
For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry??

NET Bible
For if such things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

New Heart English Bible
For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?"

Webster's Bible Translation
For if they do these things in a green tree, what will be done in the dry?

Weymouth New Testament
For if they are doing these things in the case of the green tree, what will be done in that of the dry?"

World English Bible
For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
for if they do these things in the green tree, what may happen in the dry?”

Berean Literal Bible
For if they do these things in the green tree, what might take place in the dry?"

Young's Literal Translation
for, if in the green tree they do these things -- in the dry what may happen?'

Smith's Literal Translation
For if they do these in the moist tree, what should be in the dry.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For if they do these things with green wood, what will be done with the dry?”

New American Bible
for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?”

New Revised Standard Version
For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For if they do these things with the green wood, what will be done with dry wood?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For if they are doing these things with green wood, what will happen with the dried?”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
For, if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Godbey New Testament
Because if they do these things in the green tree, what may be done in the dry?

Haweis New Testament
For if they do all these things with the green wood, what will be done with the dry?

Mace New Testament
for if the green wood burn thus, how will the dry wood flame?

Weymouth New Testament
For if they are doing these things in the case of the green tree, what will be done in that of the dry?"

Worrell New Testament
for, if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?"

Worsley New Testament
for if they do these things to the green wood, what shall be done to the dry?

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Crucifixion
…30At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ 31For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Ezekiel 20:47-48
Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched. / Then all people will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it will not be quenched.”

Jeremiah 25:29
For behold, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears My Name, so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of Hosts.’

Proverbs 11:31
If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

Isaiah 10:33-34
Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled. / He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

Isaiah 27:11
When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.

Hosea 10:8
The high places of Aven will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”

1 Peter 4:17-18
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? / And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Matthew 3:10
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 7:19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

Romans 11:21-22
For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not spare you either. / Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

Revelation 6:16-17
And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”

Revelation 9:4
They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

Isaiah 1:31
The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.

Isaiah 33:12
The peoples will be burned to ashes, like thorns cut down and set ablaze.

Treasury of Scripture

For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Proverbs 11:31
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Jeremiah 25:29
For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.

Ezekiel 15:2-7
Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? …

Jump to Previous

Case Dry Green Tree Wood

Jump to Next

Case Dry Green Tree Wood

Luke 23

1. Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod.
8. Herod mocks him.
12. Herod and Pilate become friends.
13. Barabbas is desired of the people,
24. and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified.
26. He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem;
34. prays for his enemies.
39. Two criminals are crucified with him.
46. His death.
50. His burial.

Berean Study Bible

For if men do these things
This phrase introduces a conditional statement, highlighting human actions and their consequences. The Greek word for "men" here is "ἄνθρωποι" (anthrōpoi), which can refer to humanity in general. The context is the crucifixion of Jesus, where "these things" refers to the unjust actions against Him. Historically, this reflects the Roman and Jewish authorities' collaboration in Jesus' crucifixion, a grave injustice against the innocent Son of God. It serves as a warning of human depravity and the potential for greater evil.

when the tree is green
The "green tree" symbolizes a time of life, prosperity, and opportunity. In the Greek, "green" is "ὑγρός" (hugros), meaning moist or fresh, indicating vitality. Jesus, the "green tree," represents righteousness and the presence of God among His people. The imagery suggests that if such evil can occur during a time of divine blessing and presence, it foreshadows even greater calamity when such presence is withdrawn. This metaphor draws from Old Testament imagery where trees often symbolize people or nations (e.g., Psalm 1:3).

what will happen
This phrase anticipates future events, urging reflection on the consequences of current actions. The Greek "τί γένηται" (ti genētai) implies a rhetorical question, emphasizing the certainty of impending judgment. It serves as a prophetic warning, urging repentance and awareness of the spiritual state of the people. The phrase invites believers to consider the gravity of sin and the need for divine intervention.

when it is dry?
The "dry tree" symbolizes a time of judgment, desolation, and spiritual barrenness. The Greek "ξηρός" (xēros) means dry or withered, indicating a lack of life. This imagery suggests a future period of spiritual drought and judgment, possibly alluding to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 or the final judgment. In a broader theological context, it warns of the consequences of rejecting Christ, the source of life. The contrast between the green and dry tree underscores the urgency of accepting salvation while it is available.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(31) If they do these things in a green tree.--The word for "tree" primarily meant "wood" or "timber," the tree cut down. In later Greek, however, as, e.g., in Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2; Revelation 22:14; Revelation 22:19, it was used for "tree." The "green tree" is, therefore, that which is yet living, capable of bearing fruit; the "dry," that which is barren, fruitless, withered, fit only for the axe (Matthew 3:10; Luke 13:7). The words have so much the character of a proverb that the verb may almost be treated as practically impersonal. So far as any persons are implied, we must think of our Lord as speaking of the representatives of Roman power. If Pilate could thus sentence to death One in whom he acknowledged that he could find no fault, what might be expected from his successors when they had to deal with a people rebellious and in arms? In 1Peter 4:17 we have the same thought in a more general and less figurative form. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 31. - For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? Bleek and others interpret this saying here thus: The green wood represents Jesus condemned to crucifixion as a traitor in spite of his unvarying loyalty to Rome and all lawful Gentile power. The dry wood pictures the Jews, who, ever disloyal to Rome and all Genesis the authority, will bring on themselves with much stronger reason the terrible vengeance of the great conquering empire. Theophylact, however, better explains the saying in his paraphrase, "If they do these things in me, fruitful, always green, undying through the Divinity, what will they do to you, fruitless, and deprived of all life-giving righteousness?" So Farrar, who well summarizes, "If they act thus to me, the Innocent and the Holy, what shall be the fate of these, the guilty and false?"

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

For
Ὅτι (Hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

[men] do
ποιοῦσιν (poiousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

these things
ταῦτα (tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

[while]
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

tree
ξύλῳ (xylō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3586: From another form of the base of xestes; timber; by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance.

[is] green,
ὑγρῷ (hygrō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5200: Moist, green, full of sap. From the base of huetos; wet, i.e. sappy.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

will happen
γένηται (genētai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

[when]
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[it is]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

dry?”
ξηρῷ (xērō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3584: Dry, withered; noun: dry land. From the base of xestes; arid; by implication, shrunken, earth.

Links

Luke 23:31 NIV
Luke 23:31 NLT
Luke 23:31 ESV
Luke 23:31 NASB
Luke 23:31 KJV

Luke 23:31 BibleApps.com
Luke 23:31 Biblia Paralela
Luke 23:31 Chinese Bible
Luke 23:31 French Bible
Luke 23:31 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Luke 23:31 For if they do these things (Luke Lu Lk)