Luk 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

It seems that some might have been looking for an answer as to why this might have happened.

Luk 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

Although the wording is different, essentially Jesus was answering a common question:  Did God allow this to happen because these Galilaeans were worse sinners? 

Luk 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

The answer is no.  In other words, sometimes people can die because of false religion, persecution and martyrdom.

Luk 13:4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

Again, in different words, Jesus is answering the same old question, 'Why did God allow this to happen?  Were these men worse sinners than other men?'

Luk 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

The answer is no.  This is another reason why bad things can happen.  We live in a fallen world.  Things in heaven are eternal, but things in earth are temporal.  Things like buildings that are built by man can get old and collapse, tires may blow out, car companies may have to re-call certain kinds of automobiles, but that is not God's fault.   

Luk 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

Luk 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

Luk 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

Luk 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

This is another reason why bad things can happen.  The dresser of the vineyard was not doing his job and the owner of the vineyard was going to cut the tree down.  Prophetically, the fig tree sometimes represents the nation of Israel in the Bible.  A tree can also represent a man, such as in Psalms 1:3  "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.", or maybe like Isaiah 61:3 ". . that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord."  Men, or even whole nations may perish because the church is not doing its job.  Likewise, if an airplane mechanic is smoking crack while trying to fix the airplane, and the airplane does not get fixed right and crashes, that is not God's fault. 

Luk 13:10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

Luk 13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

Luk 13:12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

Luk 13:13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Luk 13:14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

Here in verse 14 is another reason why bad things can happen:  There are evil religious principalities that influence members of the church to inhibit the work of the Holy Spirit to work miracles and change lives.  These are the same powers that sought to crucify the Lord and Christ, Jesus.

Luk 13:15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

Luk 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

This is an obvious reason why bad things sometimes happen:  It is merely Satan.

Even Jesus knows what it is like to suffer loss.  Many children died when He was born. (Matt 2:16)  His friend John the Baptist was beheaded in prison. (Matt 14)  Stephen was stoned. (Acts 7:59)

Acts 10:38 sums it up:  Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 

Jesus went about doing good.  Sickness and opression comes from the devil.  If you have questions about this subject, please read the page entitled "Healing Teaching".