Luke 12

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees

1 In the meantime, ¹when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, ²"Beware of ³the leaven of the Pharisees, ⁴which is hypocrisy.

2 ⁵Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in ⁶private rooms shall be proclaimed on ⁷the housetops.

Have No Fear

4 "I tell you, my friends, ⁸do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.

5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him ⁹who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.^[a] Yes, I tell you, fear him!

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?^[b] And ¹⁰not one of them is forgotten before God.

7 Why, ¹¹even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; ¹²you are of more value than many sparrows.

Acknowledge Christ Before Men

8 "And I tell you, ¹³everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge ¹⁴before the angels of God,

9 but ¹⁵the one who denies me before men ¹⁶will be denied ¹⁷before the angels of God.

10 And ¹⁸everyone who speaks a word ¹⁹against the Son of Man ²⁰will be forgiven, but the one who ²¹blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

11 ²²And when they ²³bring you before the synagogues and ²⁴the rulers and ²⁵the authorities, ²⁶do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,

12 ²⁷for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 ²⁸Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

14 But he said to him, ²⁹"Man, ³⁰who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?"

15 And he said to them, ³¹"Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

16 And he told them a parable, saying, ³²"The land of a rich man produced plentifully,

17 and he thought to himself, ³³'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'

18 And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my ³⁴barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up ³⁵for many years; relax, ³⁶eat, drink, be merry.'

20 But God said to him, ³⁷'Fool! ³⁸This night ³⁹your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, ⁴⁰whose will they be?'

21 So is the one ⁴¹who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

Do Not Be Anxious

22 And he said to his disciples, ⁴²"Therefore I tell you, ⁴³do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.

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

24 ⁴⁴Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. ⁴⁵Of how much more value are you than the birds!

25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his ⁴⁶span of life?^[c]

26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,^[d] yet I tell you, ⁴⁷even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, ⁴⁸O you of little faith!

29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor ⁴⁹be worried.

30 For ⁵⁰all the nations of the world seek after these things, and ⁵¹your Father knows that you need them.

31 Instead, ⁵²seek ⁵³his^[e] kingdom, ⁵⁴and these things will be added to you.

32 ⁵⁵"Fear not, little ⁵⁶flock, for ⁵⁷it is your Father's good pleasure to give you ⁵⁸the kingdom.

33 ⁵⁹Sell your possessions, and ⁶⁰give to the needy. ⁶¹Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with ⁶²a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

34 ⁶³For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

You Must Be Ready

35 ⁶⁴"Stay dressed for action^[f] and ⁶⁵keep your lamps burning,

36 and be like men who are ⁶⁶waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and ⁶⁷knocks.

37 ⁶⁸Blessed are those servants^[g] whom the master finds ⁶⁹awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, ⁷⁰he will dress himself for service and ⁷¹have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.

38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!

39 ⁷²But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour ⁷³the thief was coming, he^[h] would not have left his house to be broken into.

40 You also must be ⁷⁴ready, for ⁷⁵the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

41 Peter said, "Lord, ⁷⁶are you telling this parable for us or for all?"

42 And the Lord said, "Who then is ⁷⁷the faithful and ⁷⁸wise ⁷⁹manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?

43 ⁸⁰Blessed is that servant^[i] whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

44 Truly, I say to you, ⁸¹he will set him over all his possessions.

45 But if that servant says to himself, 'My master ⁸²is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and ⁸³get drunk,

46 the master of that servant will come ⁸⁴on a day when he does not expect him and ⁸⁵at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.

47 ⁸⁶And that servant who ⁸⁷knew his master's will but ⁸⁸did not get ready ⁸⁹or act according to his will, will receive a ⁹⁰severe beating.

48 ⁹¹But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, ⁹²will receive a light beating. ⁹³Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Not Peace, but Division

49 ⁹⁴"I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!

50 ⁹⁵I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how ⁹⁶great is my distress until it is accomplished!

51 ⁹⁷Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? ⁹⁸No, I tell you, but rather division.

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

53 They will be divided, ⁹⁹father 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."

Interpreting the Time

54 He also said to the crowds, ¹⁰⁰"When you see ¹⁰¹a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens.

55 And ¹⁰²when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be ¹⁰³scorching heat,' and it happens.

56 You hypocrites! ¹⁰⁴You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Settle with Your Accuser

57 "And why ¹⁰⁵do you not judge ¹⁰⁶for yourselves what is right?

58 ¹⁰⁷As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.

59 I tell you, ¹⁰⁸you will never get out until you have paid the very last ¹⁰⁹penny."^[j]

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.

Cross References

• 1. Luke 11:29
• 2. Matt. 16:6, 11, 12; Mark 8:15
• 3. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Galatians 5:9
• 4. Matthew 23:28; Mark 12:15
• 5. Luke 8:17; Mark 4:22; [1 Timothy 5:25]; For ver. 2-9, see Matthew 10:26-33
• 6. Matthew 6:6
• 7. See Luke 5:19
• 8. Isaiah 8:12, 13; Isaiah 51:12, 13; Jeremiah 1:8; 1 Peter 3:14
• 9. James 4:12
• 10. [Psalms 50:11]
• 11. See 1 Samuel 14:45
• 12. Matthew 6:26; Matthew 12:12
• 13. [Romans 10:9, 10; Hebrews 10:35; Revelation 3:5]
• 14. [Luke 15:10; Matthew 25:31; 1 Timothy 5:21; Revelation 3:5]
• 15. 2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 2:23; [Mark 8:38]
• 16. Luke 13:25; Matthew 7:23; Matthew 25:12
• 17. [See ver. 8 above]
• 18. [Matthew 12:31, 32; Mark 3:28-30; Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26; 1 John 5:16]
• 19. Matthew 11:19; John 7:12; John 9:24
• 20. 1 Timothy 1:12, 13
• 21. [Acts 7:51; Hebrews 10:29]
• 22. Matthew 10:17, 19; [Luke 21:12, 14; Mark 13:11]
• 23. See Matthew 23:34
• 24. Titus 3:1
• 25. Titus 3:1
• 26. See ver. 22
• 27. See Matthew 10:19, 20
• 28. Luke 11:27
• 29. Micah 6:8; Romans 2:1, 3; Romans 9:20
• 30. [Exodus 2:14; Acts 7:27]
• 31. 1 Timothy 6:6-11; [Hebrews 13:5]
• 32. [Psalms 49:16-20]
• 33. [Ecclesiastes 5:10]
• 34. ver. 24
• 35. [Proverbs 27:1; James 4:13-15]
• 36. Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 11:9; 1 Corinthians 15:32; [Luke 15:23]
• 37. Jeremiah 17:11; [Matthew 16:26]
• 38. [See ver. 19 above]
• 39. Job 27:8
• 40. Psalms 39:6; [Job 27:17-22; Ecclesiastes 2:18, 21]
• 41. Matthew 6:19, 20
• 42. For ver. 22-31, see Matthew 6:25-33
• 43. ver. 11; Luke 10:41; Matthew 10:19; Matthew 13:22(Gk.); 1 Corinthians 7:32(Gk.); Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7
• 44. [Job 38:41; Psalms 147:9]
• 45. See ver. 7
• 46. Luke 2:52(Gk.)
• 47. 1 Kings 10:4-7
• 48. Matthew 8:26; Matthew 14:31; Matthew 16:8; [Luke 17:6]
• 49. [James 1:6]
• 50. Matthew 6:8
• 51. Matthew 6:8
• 52. [Matthew 5:6, 20]
• 53. Luke 11:2
• 54. [1 Kings 3:11-14; Mark 10:29, 30; 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 3:9]
• 55. Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 44:2
• 56. Isaiah 40:11; Matthew 26:31; John 10:16; John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28, 29; 1 Peter 5:2, 3
• 57. [Luke 10:21; Matthew 11:26; Ephesians 1:5, 9; Philippians 2:13]
• 58. Luke 22:29; See Matthew 13:19
• 59. See Matthew 19:21
• 60. Luke 11:41
• 61. [Luke 16:9]
• 62. Matthew 6:20; [ver. 21; 1 Peter 1:4]
• 63. Matthew 6:21
• 64. Ephesians 6:14; 1 Peter 1:13
• 65. [Matthew 25:7]
• 66. See 2 Peter 3:12
• 67. Revelation 3:20
• 68. See Matthew 24:42, 46
• 69. See Matthew 24:42, 46
• 70. John 13:4; [ver. 35; Luke 17:8]
• 71. [Luke 22:27]
• 72. For ver. 39-46, [Matthew 24:43-51]
• 73. [1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3]
• 74. ver. 47; Matthew 25:10
• 75. Luke 21:27
• 76. [Mark 13:37]
• 77. See Matthew 24:45
• 78. See Matthew 24:45
• 79. Luke 16:1
• 80. John 13:17; Revelation 16:15
• 81. Matthew 25:21, 23
• 82. Matthew 25:5; [Hebrews 10:37; 2 Peter 3:4, 9]
• 83. 1 Thessalonians 5:7
• 84. 2 Peter 3:12; [ver. 40]
• 85. 2 Peter 3:12; [ver. 40]
• 86. [Matthew 11:24; John 15:22, 24]
• 87. [James 4:17; 2 Peter 2:21]
• 88. ver. 40
• 89. [James 4:17; 2 Peter 2:21]
• 90. [Deuteronomy 25:2, 3]
• 91. Leviticus 5:17; [Numbers 15:29, 30]
• 92. Romans 1:19, 20; Romans 2:14, 15; [1 Timothy 1:13]
• 93. [Matthew 25:29]; See Matthew 13:12
• 94. [Matthew 3:11]
• 95. Mark 10:38
• 96. 2 Corinthians 5:14(Gk.)
• 97. For ver. 51-53, see Matthew 10:34, 35
• 98. [Revelation 6:4]
• 99. Matthew 10:21; [Micah 7:6]
• 100. [Matthew 16:2, 3]
• 101. 1 Kings 18:43, 44
• 102. [See ver. 54 above]
• 103. See Matthew 20:12
• 104. Matthew 16:3
• 105. Luke 21:30
• 106. John 7:24; 1 Corinthians 11:13
• 107. Matthew 5:25, 26; [Proverbs 25:8]
• 108. [Matthew 18:34, 35]
• 109. Luke 21:2; Mark 12:42

Footnotes

• [a]. Greek Gehenna
• [b]. Greek two assaria; an assarion was a Roman copper coin worth about 1/16 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)
• [c]. Or a single cubit to his stature; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
• [d]. Some manuscripts Consider the lilies; they neither spin nor weave
• [e]. Some manuscripts God's
• [f]. Greek Let your loins stay girded; compare Exodus 12:11
• [g]. Greek bondservants
• [h]. Some manuscripts add would have stayed awake and
• [i]. Greek bondservant; also verses 45, 46, 47
• [j]. Greek lepton, a Jewish bronze or copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)