As Jesus went about His mission, the people mentioned to Him about the killing of some Galileans, at the order of Pontius Pilate, while they were offering sacrifice, probably at the temple in Jerusalem. Pilate was renowned for his harsh rule and insensitivity to Jewish religious feelings. Jesus uses the incident about the killing of the Galileans and another contemporary incident, a construction accident at the Siloam reservoir at Jerusalem, and a parable, to continue His call for decision and change.

Popular wisdom associated disaster with punishment for sin. Jesus says that good fortune and disaster are no indication of a person's spiritual state in the present age. But in the judgement to come, those who have been evil will certainly experience disaster. Each person will be responsible for his or her sins. Now is the time to produce evidence of a life dedicated to the kingdom. The time may be extended for us as for the fig tree. But ultimately, judgement will come.

In his letter, Paul urges the readers not to act like children in the face of false teachings. Christ has taught them His message, so they have to profess in love this message which has already been taught to them and continue the growth process towards maturity in Christ, the Head. It is through Christ that the body grows. With all the members working together, doing their proper function, it builds itself up in love.