Bible Commentaries
Luke 12

Verse 1

In . Greek. en. App-104 .

trode one upon another = trampled one another down.

unto. Greek. pros. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 12:11 .

first. The Structure ("K ") on p. 1471 shows that this must be connected with "disciples "and not with what follows.

Beware ye = Take heed to yourselves. Compare Matthew 16:6 , spoken on another occasion. of. Greek. apo. App-104 .

leaven. See note on Matthew 13:33 .

which . Denoting a class of things in the category of impiety.

hypocrisy . See note on "hypocrite" (Luke 11:44 ).

Verse 2

nothing. Greek. ouden. Compound of ou. App-105 .

covered = concealed. Greek sunkaluptomai. Only here in N.T.

not. Greek. ou. App-105 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 12:4 , Luke 12:6 -, Luke 4:7 , Luke 4:21 , Luke 4:26 , Luke 4:27 -; Luke 4:29 ; Luke 4:32 ; Luke 4:33 ; Luk 4:47; Luk 4:48; Luk 4:59 .

be = become.

revealed = uncovered. Greek. apokalupto. See App-106 .

known . Greek. ginosko. App-132 .

Verse 3

Therefore = Instead of (Greek. anti. App-104 . ) which.

have spoken = spake.

darkness = the darkness.

in = to. Greek pros. App-104 .

closets = the chambers. Occurs only here, Luke 12:24 , and Matthew 6:6 ; Matthew 24:26 .

proclaimed . App-121 .

upon . Greek. epi. App-104 .

housetops . Compare Matthew 24:17 .

Verse 4

I say unto you . Always introduces an important matter.

unto = to.

Be not afraid ( phobethete). ye shall fear (phobethete) (Luke 12:5 ). Note the Figure of speech Anadiplosis ( App-6 ), by which all the words between are emphasized, by being thus enclosed.

not. Greek. me. App-105 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 12:2 , Luke 12:6 , Luke 12:10 , Luke 2:15 , Luke 2:21 , Luke 2:26 , Luke 2:27 , Luke 2:39 , Luke 2:45 , Luke 2:46 , Luk 2:56 , Luk 2:57 , Luk 2:59 .

of = from [the hands of]. Greek. apo. App-104 . Compare Matthew 10:28 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 12:6 , Luke 12:13 , Luke 12:25 , Luke 6:48 , Luk 6:57 . after. Greek. meta. App-104 . no. Greek. ou.

Verse 5

forewarn = shew, or warn; p. Luke 3:7 .

ye shall fear . See note on Luke 12:4 .

Fear . Note the second Anadiplosis. App-6 .

Him, which: i.e. God Who.

power = authority. See App-172 .

into . Greek. eis. App-104 .

hell = the Gehenna. See note on 2 Kings 23:10 . Matthew 5:3 , and App-131 .

Verse 6

not. See App-105 .

two farthings = two assaria. See note on Matthew 10:29 .

of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .

before = in the sight of. Greek. enopion, as in Luke 1:15 .

Verse 7

are = have been. See note on Matthew 10:30 . Acts 27:34 ; and compare 1 Samuel 14:45 . 1 Kings 1:52 .

more value = differ from: i.e. excel.

Verse 8

shall = may (with Greek. an).

Me = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) Me: i.e. in My Name.

before = in the presence of. Greek. emprosthen.

men. Plural of anthropos. App-123 .

him = in him.

shall = will.

the Son of man. See App-98 .

Verse 9

denieth = has disowned.

denied = utterly disowned.

Verse 10

word. Not "blaspheme", as in next clause.

against. Greek. eis. App-101 .

the Holy Ghost. With Art. See App-101 . As in Luke 12:12 .

Verse 11

unto = before. Greek. epi. App-104 .

synagogues. See App-120 .

powers = authorities. App-172 .

take ye no thought = be not full of care, or anxious.

answer = reply in defence. See Acts 6:8 , Act 6:10 ; 2 Timothy 4:17 . 1 Peter 3:15 . Compare Daniel 3:16 .

Verse 12

ought to = should.

Verse 13

Master = Teacher. App-98 .

divide. Compare Deuteronomy 21:15-17 .

with. Greek. meta. App-104 .

Verse 14

made = appointed, or constituted. Compare Exodus 2:4 .

over. Greek. epi. App-104 . Not with the same case as in verses: Luke 12:42 , Luke 12:44 .

Verse 15

Take heed = See. Greek. horao. App-133 .

beware = keep yourselves from,

covetousness. All the texts read "all covetousness".

man's = to any one.

life. Greek zoe. See App-170 . Not so with bios ( App-171 .)

possesseth. Greek. huparcho. see Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:6 (being); Luke 3:20 ("is ").

Verse 16

ground = estate. Greek. chora.

brought forth plentifully. Greek euphoreo. Occurs only here.

Verse 17

thought = was reasoning.

within. Greek. en. App-104 .

no = not. Greek ou. App-105 .

bestow = gather together, or lay up.

Verse 18

barns = granaries.

fruits = produce. Not the same word as in Luke 12:17 . Tr. WI R read "the corn".

goods = good things.

Verse 19

my soul. Idiom for "myself". Greek. mou psuche . See App-13 ., App-110 , and note on Jeremiah 17:21 .

soul = psuche. See App-110 .

laid up = laid by.

for (Greek. eis. App-104 .) many years. Compare Proverbs 27:1 .

Verse 20

fool . See note on Luke 11:40 .

this night = this very night.

thy soul = thy life. App-110 .

shall be required = they demand. Only here and Luke 6:30 . Tr. A WI read "is required". But both are impersonal, referring to some unknown invisible agencies which carry out God's judgments or Satan's will. Compare Psalms 49:15 .Job 4:19 ; Job 18:18 ; Job 19:26 ; Job 34:20 . In a good sense compare Isaiah 60:11 .

which, &c. In the Greek this clause is emph., standing before the question "then whose", &c.

provided = prepared.

Verse 21

toward . Greek. eis. App-104 .

Verse 22

Therefore = On (Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 12:3; Luke 12:3 ) this [account].

Take no thought , &c. This saying is repeated from Matthew 6:25 . See note there.

life. Greek. psuche. See App-110 . It is what can "eat".

Verse 23

The. [L] T Tr. A WH R read "For the", &c.

meat = food. Compare Matthew 6:25-34 .

Verse 24

Consider , &c. See note on Matthew 7:3 .

ravens. See Job 38:41 .Psalms 147:9 . Occurs only here in N.T.

neither sow = sow not (Greek. ou. App-105 ).

nor. Greek. oude.

neither have = have not, as above.

storehouse . Same as "closet "in Luke 12:3 .

barn = granary.

fowls = birds.

Verse 25

to . Greek. epi. App-104 .

stature = age, as in John 9:21 , John 9:23 .Hebrews 11:11 , referring to fullness of growth, hence rendered "stature" (Luke 19:3 .Ephesians 4:13; Ephesians 4:13 ). A "cubit" could not be "the least" of Luke 12:26 . It must therefore be putby Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for length generally: either the least measure (an inch) to his height, or a moment to his age (or life). Greek. helikia. Occurs elsewhere in Luke 2:52 and Matthew 6:27 .

Verse 26

If ye, &c. Assuming the hypothesis as a fact. See App-118 .

not. Compound of ou. App-105 .

least. This determines the meaningof "cubit "in Luke 12:25 , or it would nullify the Lord's argument.

for . Greek. peri. App-104 .

Verse 27

they grow . T Tr. A WI m. omit, and read "how they toil not", &c.

toil not, they spin not = neither toil nor spin. T A WI m. read "neither spin nor weave".

Solomon . . . was not = not even Solomon was. 1Ki 3:13 ; 1 Kings 10:1-29 . Song of Solomon 3:6-11 .

Verse 28

grass , &c. Compare Isaiah 40:6 . 1 Peter 1:24 .James 1:10 , James 1:11 .

cast: i.e. for fuel, "oven "being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the furnace; as we say " the kettle boils" or "light the fire".

O ye of little faith . Greek. oligopistos. See all the five occurances in note on Matthew 6:30 .

Verse 29

neither = and not. Greek. me. App-104 .

of doubtful mind = excited. Occurs only here in N.T.

Verse 30

world. Greek. kosmos. App-129 .

knoweth. Greek oida. App-132 .

Verse 31

the kingdom of God . See App-114 .

Verse 32

little flock. Compare Psalms 23:1 .Isaiah 40:11 .Matthew 26:31 . Joh 10:12-16 .

it is your Father's good pleasure = your Father took delight. The King was present: what could He not supply?

Verse 33

Sell. Compare Acts 2:44 , Acts 2:45 ; Acts 4:37 .

that ye have. Greek. huparcho: your possessions. See note on "is", Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:20 .

bags = purses.

wax not old = never wear out.

the heavens. Plural. See notes on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 . that faileth not = unfailing.

moth. Compare James 5:2 .

corrupteth = destroyeth, as in Revelation 8:9 ; Revelation 11:18 .

Verse 34

heart be also = heart also be.

Verse 35

lights = lamps. See App-130 .

Verse 36

that wait for = waiting, or looking, for. Greek. prosdechomai, as in Luke 2:25 , Luke 2:38 ; Luke 23:51 .Mark 15:43 .Titus 2:13 .

lord . App-98 . A.

when = whensoever.

will. All the texts read "may".

return. Greek. analuo. Occurs only here, and Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:23 , in N.T. In Septuagint only in the Apocryphal books, and always in the sense of returning back, as in ana-kampto (Hebrews 11:15 ). See Tobit 2.9. Judith 13.1.Ezra 3:3 . Book of Wisdom 2.1; 5.12; 16.14. Ecclus 3.15. 2 Macc. 8.25; 9.1; 12.7; 15.28. The noun analusis = a returning back of the body to dust, as in Genesis 3:19 , occurs only once, in 2 Timothy 4:6 .

from = out of. Greek ek. App-104 .

the wedding = the marriage feast.

Verse 37

Blessed = Happy.

servants = bondman.

watching. Greek. gregoreo, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 , 1 Thessalonians 5:10 (wake).

verily . See note on Matthew 5:18 .

Verse 38

if . Greek. ean. App-118 .

second . . . third watch. See App-51 . (12, 17).

so = thus.

Verse 39

goodman = master. App-98 .

broken = dug. Occurs only here; Matthew 6:19 , Matthew 6:20 ; Matthew 24:43 .

Verse 40

Be = Become.

Verse 41

Lord . Note, not "Jesus". App-98 . A.

to. Greek. pros. Same as "unto" in preceding clause.

Verse 42

that faithful and wise steward = the faithful steward and prudent [man].

make ruler = set.

over. Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same case as in verses: Luke 12:14 , Luke 12:44 .

portion of meat = measure of food. Greek. sitometrion. Occurs only here. Supposed to be a peculiar N.T. word, but it is found in the Papyri, and the kindred verb in Genesis 47:12 , Genesis 47:14 (Septuagint)

Verse 44

over . Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same case as in verses: Luke 12:14 , Luke 12:42 .

Verse 45

delayeth. The emphasis is placed on this verb

by the Figure of speech Hyperbaton ( App-6 ), because it is this postponement of the reckoning which leads to his evil doing.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in Luke 12:45 and Luke 12:46 .

menservants . See App-108 .

maidens. Greek. paidiske. See Luke 22:56 .

Verse 46

at = in, as in preceding clause.

is not aware = knows not. App-132 .

cut him in sunder. Compare Daniel 2:5 .Hebrews 11:37 .

unbelievers = unfaithful.

Verse 47

And = But.

will. Greek. thelema. See App-102 .

according to. Greek. pros. App-104 .

Verse 48

given = committed.

of = from. Greek. para. App-104 .

Verse 49

I am come = Icame, &c.

send. Greek. ballo. In fourteen out of the eighteen occurrences in Luke, rendered "cast". See verses: Luk 28:88 .

fire . See Joel 2:30 , &c. Had the nation received Him, all that the prophets had spoken would have been fulfilled. So would it have been had Peter's proclamation been received (Acts 5:18-26 ). See note on Luke 12:51 .

on = into. Greek. eis. App-104 . But all the texts read epi ( App-104 . ix. 3). earth. Greek. ge. App-129 .

what will I . . . ? = what do I wish? Figure of speech Aposiopesis, App-6 (no answer being required or given).

if it be , &c. Another Aposiopesis ( App-6 ) repeated. The Lord was "straitened "(Luke 12:50 ). The nation had not yet finally rejected Him. App-118 .

Verse 50

I have a baptism , &c. Referring to the sufferings which had to be first accomplished. See Luke 24:26 . Acts 3:18 . App-115 . . i.

how am I straitened = how am I being pressed. Greek. sunechomai, as in Acts 18:5 and Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:23 . The prayer in Gethsemane shows how this

was. See Luke 22:41 , Luke 22:42 .Hebrews 5:7 .

accomplished. See Luke 9:31 . Joh 19:28 .

Verse 51

I am come = I became present, as in Acts 21:18 .

to give peace. This was the object of His coming (Isaiah 9:6 , Isaiah 9:7 ): but the e f fect of His presence would bring war. He came not to judge (John 12:47 ) as to this object, but the effect of His coming was judgment (John 9:39 ).

on = in. Greek. en. App-104 .

earth = the earth. App-129 .

Nay. Greek. ouchi. See App-105 .

division = disunion. Occurs only here.

Verse 52

from henceforth = from(Greek. apo. App-104 .) now: explaining the effect.

against. Greek. epi. App-104 . Referring to Micah 7:6 .

Verse 53

against . In the last four instances epi governs the ace.

Verse 54

also to the people = to the crowds also; not "in-consequent". See the Structure "L", p. 1471).

out of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .

shower. Occurs only here.

it is = it happens.

Verse 56

hypocrites. See note on Luke 11:44 .

can = know [how to]. Greek. oida. App-132 .

face = appearance.

sky = the heaven. Singular. See notes on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

Verse 57

judge ye, &c. Found in an inscriptionat Amorgus, as pronouncing a just judgment, anticipating Luke 12:58 .

Verse 58

When thou goest = For, when thou art brought. Introducing the reason for this conclusion of the whole argument.

adversary. Shown in the last clause to be the tax-gatherer.

to = before. Greek. epi. App-104 .

the = a.

in the way. Emph. by Figure of speech Hyperbaton ( App-6 ).

give diligence = work hard, or take pains, or do your best. Not a Latinism, but found in the OxyrhyncusPapyri, second century B.C.

delivered = set free. Occurs only here, Acts 19:12 , and Hebrews 2:15 .

hale = haul. Anglo-Saxon holian. Occurs only here in N.T.

officer = tax-gatherer:i.e. the adversary of the first

clause. Greek. praktor = doer, or executive officer. Thus used in the Papyri. Occurs only here in N.T.; once in LXX, Isaiah 3:12 . He was the one who could cast a defaulter into prison.

Verse 59

not = by no means. Greek. ou me. App-105 .

hast paid = shalt have paid. This verse is repeated from Matthew 5:28 , with a different purpose, and therefore with different words,

mite . See App-51 .