Jesus uses these tragic events to emphasise that life is uncertain and unpredictable and how important it is to repent. He warns that unless people show sorrow and remorse, they will die; souls will be destroyed.
Jesus does not imply that the victims of these calamities did anything wrong, but rather that tragedies happen and
should not be equated with sin and divine punishment.
Jesus draws the crowd’s attention to the need to turn back to God and the consequences of not repenting. Twice, he says, “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” In this text, Jesus doesn’t feed fear and stir up the crowds, nor does he promise freedom from disasters and calamities. Instead, he stresses the fragility of life and the urgency of repentance. We must guard
ourselves against false self-assurance and seize the opportunity to experience God’s grace.
Reflections by Adri Sutherland