Luke 12

Warning Against Hypocrisy

1 During {this time} [when] a crowd of many thousands had gathered together, so that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, "Beware for yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 But nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that will not be made known.

3 Therefore everything that you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what {you have whispered} in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Fear God Rather Than People

4 "And I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after these [things] do not have anything more to do.

5 But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the one who has authority, after the killing, to throw [you] into hell! Yes, I tell you, fear this one!

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.

7 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Acknowledgement of Christ and Persecution of Disciples

8 "And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man also will acknowledge him before the angels of God,

9 but the one who denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God.

10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but to the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

11 But when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you should speak in your own defense or what you should say,

12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in [that] same hour what it is necessary to say."

The Parable of the Rich Landowner Who Was a Fool

13 Now someone from the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!"

14 But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"

15 And he said to them, "Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not [even] when someone has an abundance {does} his life [consist] of his possessions."

16 And he told a parable to them, saying, "The land of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.

17 And he reasoned to himself, saying, 'What should I do? For I do not have anywhere I can gather in my crops.'

18 And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will gather in there all my grain and possessions.

19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many possessions stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, celebrate!" '

20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your life is demanded from you, and [the things] which you have prepared--whose will they be?'

21 So [is] the one who stores up treasure for himself, and who is not rich toward God!"

Anxiety

22 And he said to his disciples, "For this [reason] I tell you, do not be anxious for [your] life, what you will eat, or for [your] body, what you will wear.

23 For life is more than food, and the body [more than] clothing.

24 Consider the ravens, that they neither sow nor reap; to them there is neither storeroom nor barn, and God feeds them. How much more are you worth than the birds?

25 And which of you [by] being anxious is able to add an hour to his life span?

26 If then you are not even able [to do] a very little thing, why are you anxious about the rest?

27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they do not toil or spin, but I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these.

28 But if God clothes the grass in the field in this way, [although it] is [here] today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more [will he do so for] you, you of little faith?

29 And you, do not consider what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not be anxious.

30 For all the nations of the world seek after these [things], and your Father knows that you need these [things].

31 But seek his kingdom and these [things] will be added to you.

32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell your possessions and give charitable gifts. Make for yourselves money bags that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven where thief does not approach or moth destroy.

34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

On the Alert for the Master’s Return

35 "{You must be prepared for action} and [your] lamps burning.

36 And you, [be] like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that [when he] comes back and knocks, they can open [the door] for him immediately.

37 Blessed [are] those slaves whom the master will find on the alert [when he] returns! Truly I say to you that he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come by [and] serve them.

38 Even if he should come back in the second or in the third watch of the night and find [them] like this, blessed are they!

39 But understand this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.

40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think [he will come]."

A Faithful Slave and an Unfaithful Slave

41 And Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us, or also for everyone?"

42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful wise manager whom the master will put in charge over his servants to give [them] [their] food allowance at the right time?

43 Blessed [is] that slave whom his master will find so doing [when he] comes back.

44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

45 But if that slave should say {to himself}, 'My master is taking a long time to return,' and he begins to beat the male slaves and the female slaves and to eat and drink and get drunk,

46 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign his place with the unbelievers.

47 And that slave who knew the will of his master and did not prepare or do according to his will {will be given a severe beating}.

48 But the one who did not know and did [things] deserving blows {will be given a light beating}. And from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be demanded, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will ask him [for] even more.

Not Peace, But a Sword of Divisiveness

49 "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish that it had been kindled already!

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am distressed until it is accomplished!

51 Do you think that I have come to grant peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!

52 For from now on there will be five in one household, divided three against two and two against three.

53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

The Signs of the Times

54 And he also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud coming up in the west, you say at once, 'A rainstorm is coming,' and so it happens.

55 And when [you see] the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be burning heat,' and it happens.

56 Hypocrites! You know how to evaluate the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how [is it] you do not know how to evaluate this present time?

Settle Accounts Quickly

57 And why do you not also judge for yourselves [what is] right?

58 For as you are going with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to come to a settlement with him on the way, so that he will not drag you to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff will throw you into prison.

59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid back even the last cent!"

Luke 12 Commentary

Chapter 12

Christ reproves the interpreters of the law. (1-12) A caution against covetousness The parable of the rich man. (13-21) Worldly care reproved. (22-40) Watchfulness enforced. (41-53) A warning to be reconciled to God. (54-59)

Verses 1-12 A firm belief of the doctrine of God's universal providence, and the extent of it, would satisfy us when in peril, and encourage us to trust God in the way of duty. Providence takes notice of the meanest creatures, even of the sparrows, and therefore of the smallest interests of the disciples of Christ. Those who confess Christ now, shall be owned by him in the great day, before the angels of God. To deter us from denying Christ, and deserting his truths and ways, we are here assured that those who deny Christ, though they may thus save life itself, and though they may gain a kingdom by it, will be great losers at last; for Christ will not know them, will not own them, nor show them favour. But let no trembling, penitent backslider doubt of obtaining forgiveness. This is far different from the determined enmity that is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall never be forgiven, because it will never be repented of.

Verses 13-21 Christ's kingdom is spiritual, and not of this world. Christianity does not meddle with politics; it obliges all to do justly, but wordly dominion is not founded in grace. It does not encourage expectations of worldly advantages by religion. The rewards of Christ's disciples are of another nature. Covetousness is a sin we need constantly to be warned against; for happiness and comfort do not depend on the wealth of this world. The things of the world will not satisfy the desires of a soul. Here is a parable, which shows the folly of carnal worldling while they live, and their misery when they die. The character drawn is exactly that of a prudent, worldly man, who has no grateful regard to the providence of God, nor any right thought of the uncertainty of human affairs, the worth of his soul, or the importance of eternity. How many, even among professed Christians, point out similar characters as models for imitation, and proper persons to form connexions with! We mistake if we think that thoughts are hid, and thoughts are free. When he saw a great crop upon his ground, instead of thanking God for it, or rejoicing to be able to do more good, he afflicts himself. What shall I do now? The poorest beggar in the country could not have said a more anxious word. The more men have, the more perplexity they have with it. It was folly for him to think of making no other use of his plenty, than to indulge the flesh and gratify the sensual appetites, without any thought of doing good to others. Carnal worldlings are fools; and the day is coming when God will call them by their own name, and they will call themselves so. The death of such persons is miserable in itself, and terrible to them. Thy soul shall be required. He is loth to part with it; but God shall require it, shall require an account of it, require it as a guilty soul to be punished without delay. It is the folly of most men, to mind and pursue that which is for the body and for time only, more than that for the soul and eternity.

Verses 22-40 Christ largely insisted upon this caution not to give way to disquieting, perplexing cares, ( Matthew 6:25-34 ) . The arguments here used are for our encouragement to cast our care upon God, which is the right way to get ease. As in our stature, so in our state, it is our wisdom to take it as it is. An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of this world, even necessary things, ill becomes the disciples of Christ. Fears must not prevail; when we frighten ourselves with thoughts of evil to come, and put ourselves upon needless cares how to avoid it. If we value the beauty of holiness, we shall not crave the luxuries of life. Let us then examine whether we belong to this little flock. Christ is our Master, and we are his servants; not only working servants, but waiting servants. We must be as men that wait for their lord, that sit up while he stays out late, to be ready to receive him. In this Christ alluded to his own ascension to heaven, his coming to call his people to him by death, and his return to judge the world. We are uncertain as to the time of his coming to us, we should therefore be always ready. If men thus take care of their houses, let us be thus wise for our souls. Be ye therefore ready also; as ready as the good man of the house would be, if he knew at what hour the thief would come.

Verses 41-53 All are to take to themselves what Christ says in his word, and to inquire concerning it. No one is left so ignorant as not to know many things to be wrong which he does, and many things to be right which he neglects; therefore all are without excuse in their sin. The bringing in the gospel dispensation would occasion desolations. Not that this would be the tendency of Christ's religion, which is pure, peaceable, and loving; but the effect of its being contrary to men's pride and lusts. There was to be a wide publication of the gospel. But before that took place, Christ had a baptism to be baptized with, far different from that of water and the Holy Spirit. He must endure sufferings and death. It agreed not with his plan to preach the gospel more widely, till this baptism was completed. We should be zealous in making known the truth, for though divisions will be stirred up, and a man's own household may be his foes, yet sinners will be converted, and God will be glorified.

Verses 54-59 Christ would have the people to be as wise in the concerns of their souls as they are in outward affairs. Let them hasten to obtain peace with God before it is too late. If any man has found that God has set himself against him concerning his sins, let him apply to him as God in Christ reconciling the world to himself. While we are alive, we are in the way, and now is our time.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "which time"
• [b]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("had gathered together")
• [c]. Literally "you have spoken to the ear"
• [d]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [e]. Literally "is"
• [f]. The same Greek word can be translated "soul" or "life" depending on the context
• [g]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [h]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [i]. *Here "[by]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("being anxious") which is understood as means
• [j]. Or "a cubit" (the literal meaning); most scholars understand this to refer figuratively to an "hour" of life here, though some take it as a literal measurement of height
• [k]. *Here "[although]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("is") which is understood as concessive
• [l]. *The phrase "[will he do so for]" is not in the Greek text but is implied
• [m]. Or "in the heavens"
• [n]. Literally "your loins must be girded"
• [o]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [p]. Or perhaps simply "feast"
• [q]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("comes back")
• [r]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [s]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("will come by") has been translated as a finite verb
• [t]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [u]. *The words "[he will come]" are not in the Greek text but are implied
• [v]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [w]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [x]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("comes back") which is understood as temporal
• [y]. Literally "in his heart"
• [z]. Literally "will be beaten much"
• [aa]. Literally "will be beaten a few times"
• [ab]. Literally "lepton," a small copper coin worth 1/128 of a denarius