Luke 12:57

Settling Accounts

57 "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?

Luke 12:57 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:57

Yea, and why even of yourselves
From their own observation, as in discerning the signs of the weather; in a rational way, by the light of reason, and according to the dictates of their own consciences; by what they themselves saw and heard; by the signs and wonders which were done, they might have concluded, that now was the time of the Messiah's coming; and that he was come, and that Jesus of Nazareth was he: this was as easy, by observation, to be discerned, as the face of the sky was; even of themselves, without any hints or directions from others:

judge ye not what is right?
or "truth", as the Syriac and Persic versions render it; concerning the present time, the coming of the Messiah, and the accomplishment of the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament in him: or why do ye not of yourselves judge, what is fit and right to be done between man and man, without going to law? and that, in cases which are plain and clear, the consequences of which may be as easily discerned, as what weather it will be by the signs in the heavens; to which sense the following words incline.

Luke 12:57 In-Context

55 And when the south wind is blowing, you say, 'It's going to be a scorcher!' and it is.
56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don't you know how to interpret this time?
57 "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?
58 As you are going with your adversary to the ruler, make an effort to settle with him on the way. Then he won't drag you before the judge, the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison.
59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last cent."
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.