Luke 23:26-31 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.

Luke 23:26-31 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” (NKJV).

Luke 23:26-31 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” (NKJV).

Luke 23:26-31 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” (NKJV).

What Does this Mean? “Here the green wood represents Jesus, Himself, and the living grace He had come down to offer mankind. Dry wood is dead and readily burns. In this context, it represents the nation which rejected Christ. The question figuratively poses a proverb. If what these women were witnessing is done to the One representing spiritual life…what terrible destiny awaited the sinful guilty nation…who put to death the Son of God?” (Colly Caldwell, Commentary on Luke ).

What Does this Mean? The figures of a “dry tree” and a “green tree” are used in different ways in Scripture. ► The eunuch, unable to bear children may consider himself a “dry tree,” but if he was faithful to the Lord he would be blessed (Isa. 56:3-5). ► The “green tree” and “dry tree” can refer to the righteous and the wicked, who would both be affected by Babylon (Ezek. 20:47).

What Does this Mean? The figures of a “dry tree” and a “green tree” are used in different ways in Scripture. ► In this sense it is like the fruitless tree.  It will be cut down (Luke 3:7-9).  Fruitless branches are pruned and burned (John 15:1-6).  Jesus cursed a fig tree as a figure of Jerusalem’s fruitless service, which would soon be punished (Matt. 21:18-20).

What Does this Mean? The figures of a “dry tree” and a “green tree” are used in different ways in Scripture. ► But, the “green tree” and “dry tree” can also refer to life conditions. ► The poor “dry tree” will be blessed while the prosperous “green tree” will be humbled (Ezek. 17:22-24).

“What Will Be Done in the Dry?” Jesus is talking about what is being done to Him “in the green wood,” and He warns that they will see worse things “in the dry.” ► He seems to be talking about conditions of life as “green” even though they acted this way— and warns of life conditions He calls “dry” when things will be even worse.

“What Will Be Done in the Dry?” During the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD… ► Josephus records that the siege of the Roman commander Titus lasted from April to September during which 1,100,000 died and 97,000 were taken away captive (Wars 6.9.3). ► 600,000 dead bodies were thrown from the gates, and within the city the bodies of the dead lay in heaps ( Ibid ).

“What Will Be Done in the Dry?” During the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD… ► The lack of food led to fighting over every morsel of food, with the hungry forced to gnaw on leather straps and sandals for some sustenance ( Ibid ). ► Some even killed nursing infants and cooked them for food ( Ibid ).

“What Will Be Done in the Dry?” This likely has direct application to God’s judgment on Israel, but let’s consider some general applications it may also have. ► Our strength is small if adversity leads us to fall (Prov. 24:10). ► We often look at things different when adversity comes (Ecc. 7:13-14). ► Adversity often reveals who really cares about us (Prov. 17:17).  Will we love “at all times”?

“What Will Be Done in the Dry?” What if… ► It was against the law to assemble for worship?—Would I continue faithfully, or would it even impact my life? ► You could be beaten for teaching the truth about homosexuality, drinking, divorce, or false religion?—Would it threaten my safety at all?

“What Will Be Done in the Dry?” What if… ► As parents, it became illegal to teach your children about Jesus, spank them as the Bible teaches, or prevent them from doing things their friends do?—Would such laws change anything about how I raise my children?

“What Will Be Done in the Dry?” What if… ► Our culture tried to force us to dress like them, talk like them, act like them, or sin like them?—Would it even be evident that I was different?

“What Will Be Done in the Dry?” What if… ► A brother or sister was imprisoned for faith?—Would I reach out to support them, or would I show them no more support than I do now? ► You could be killed for reading the Bible?—Would my life even be in danger at all?

“What Will Be Done in the Dry?” If we don’t do what we should when things are good—should we imagine we will when things are tough? ► All who are in Christ will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:10-12). ► Things often get worse in life (2 Tim. 3:13). ► We must “continue” in faith (2 Tim. 3:14-17). ► Hardship leads to character (Rom. 5:3-5). ► Our lives and our work are tested by the fires of life (1 Cor. 3:11-15).