In
Luke 13:1-5 we have Jesus’ clearest teaching on the problem of evil:[1]
"Now there were
some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate
had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these
Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered
this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or
those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they
were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But
unless you repent, you too will all perish."
Not
only is this Jesus’ clearest teaching on the problem of evil but we see Him
addressing both moral and natural evil in His response. Notice that Jesus is
first questioned regarding an example of what we would call moral evil: the
murder of some Galileans by Pilate. In providing an answer, Jesus Himself introduces
an example of natural evil: the falling of the tower of Siloam which killed
eighteen.
