Jesus was told of a horrible act committed by Pilate. Perhaps the messengers thought Jesus would proclaim a woe or curse on Pilate. Maybe they wanted this to be the catalyst to start a war against Rome. Jesus did none of these things. Rather, Jesus indirectly focused on the messengers through an indirect association.
The main point of Jesus’s response is repeated twice, “…unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Repent is a feeling of regret, a changing of the mind, and/or a turning from sin to God. As a feeling of regret, the term can apply even to God. This feeling is enough to change one’s mind regarding the subject and thus change one’s actions hopefully for the better.
“Perish” is “apollymi” in the original Greek meaning to die or be destroyed especially in a violent or untimely manner, and to pass from existence. Jesus was warning those who delivered this grim news. Their motive in telling Jesus was all wrong, they needed to change it, and if they didn’t they would exist no more.
When someone dies a terrible unexpected death like the Galileans or the eighteen many believe they deserved it. “Deserves them right,” we say. We judge them of either a known or unknown sin. Jesus teaches here that such things are not for me to judge. Rather, I am to judge myself and change if I need be. If I find myself judging another I should repent and change myself.
