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Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5)

Contrary to our expectation, bad things can happen to good people. And we often question God for why such things happen in life to people who have not done obvious wrong deeds. Do you think God punished them for their sins?

Notice on the above passage at least two situations are mentioned:

1. While going to temple to worship and offer sacrifice in remission of their sins (according to Mosaics law), the Galileans are viciously attacked by Pontius Pilate’s soldiers and they ultimately become a sacrifice.
2. Innocent bystanders are struck by a natural disaster.

For the question: Why does bad thing happen to good people? Jesus’s astounding retort back to you and me is if we expect to escape the damnation of hell without true repentance. Notice the usage of the word “perish” in verse 3. I believe Jesus was talking about the afterlife. Death can occur to anyone regardless of how sinful or righteous one is but Jesus asks us to focus on what will happen to our soul after our physical body dies. “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

The time on this earth is counted and Jesus beckons us to repent while we still have a chance. When you repent, God forgives you and because of your faith you are saved by His grace. It cannot be achieved by our works but it is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you continue to live in ignorance, Jesus reminds us that “the ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”(Matthew 3:10) Therefore I urge you brothers and sisters to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33)