Luke 12

1 multis autem turbis circumstantibus ita ut se invicem conculcarent coepit dicere ad discipulos suos adtendite a fermento Pharisaeorum quae est hypocrisis

2 nihil autem opertum est quod non reveletur neque absconditum quod non sciatur

3 quoniam quae in tenebris dixistis in lumine dicentur et quod in aurem locuti estis in cubiculis praedicabitur in tectis

4 dico autem vobis amicis meis ne terreamini ab his qui occidunt corpus et post haec non habent amplius quod faciant

5 ostendam autem vobis quem timeatis timete eum qui postquam occiderit habet potestatem mittere in gehennam ita dico vobis hunc timete

6 nonne quinque passeres veneunt dipundio et unus ex illis non est in oblivione coram Deo

7 sed et capilli capitis vestri omnes numerati sunt nolite ergo timere multis passeribus pluris estis

8 dico autem vobis omnis quicumque confessus fuerit in me coram hominibus et Filius hominis confitebitur in illo coram angelis Dei

9 qui autem negaverit me coram hominibus denegabitur coram angelis Dei

10 et omnis qui dicit verbum in Filium hominis remittetur illi ei autem qui in Spiritum Sanctum blasphemaverit non remittetur

11 cum autem inducent vos in synagogas et ad magistratus et potestates nolite solliciti esse qualiter aut quid respondeatis aut quid dicatis

12 Spiritus enim Sanctus docebit vos in ipsa hora quae oporteat dicere

13 ait autem quidam ei de turba magister dic fratri meo ut dividat mecum hereditatem

14 at ille dixit ei homo quis me constituit iudicem aut divisorem super vos

15 dixitque ad illos videte et cavete ab omni avaritia quia non in abundantia cuiusquam vita eius est ex his quae possidet

16 dixit autem similitudinem ad illos dicens hominis cuiusdam divitis uberes fructus ager adtulit

17 et cogitabat intra se dicens quid faciam quod non habeo quo congregem fructus meos

18 et dixit hoc faciam destruam horrea mea et maiora faciam et illuc congregabo omnia quae nata sunt mihi et bona mea

19 et dicam animae meae anima habes multa bona posita in annos plurimos requiesce comede bibe epulare

20 dixit autem illi Deus stulte hac nocte animam tuam repetunt a te quae autem parasti cuius erunt

21 sic est qui sibi thesaurizat et non est in Deum dives

22 dixitque ad discipulos suos ideo dico vobis nolite solliciti esse animae quid manducetis neque corpori quid vestiamini

23 anima plus est quam esca et corpus quam vestimentum

24 considerate corvos quia non seminant neque metunt quibus non est cellarium neque horreum et Deus pascit illos quanto magis vos pluris estis illis

25 quis autem vestrum cogitando potest adicere ad staturam suam cubitum unum

26 si ergo neque quod minimum est potestis quid de ceteris solliciti estis

27 considerate lilia quomodo crescunt non laborant non nent dico autem vobis nec Salomon in omni gloria sua vestiebatur sicut unum ex istis

28 si autem faenum quod hodie in agro est et cras in clibanum mittitur Deus sic vestit quanto magis vos pusillae fidei

29 et vos nolite quaerere quid manducetis aut quid bibatis et nolite in sublime tolli

30 haec enim omnia gentes mundi quaerunt Pater autem vester scit quoniam his indigetis

31 verumtamen quaerite regnum Dei et haec omnia adicientur vobis

32 nolite timere pusillus grex quia conplacuit Patri vestro dare vobis regnum

33 vendite quae possidetis et date elemosynam facite vobis sacculos qui non veterescunt thesaurum non deficientem in caelis quo fur non adpropiat neque tinea corrumpit

34 ubi enim thesaurus vester est ibi et cor vestrum erit

35 sint lumbi vestri praecincti et lucernae ardentes

36 et vos similes hominibus expectantibus dominum suum quando revertatur a nuptiis ut cum venerit et pulsaverit confestim aperiant ei

37 beati servi illi quos cum venerit dominus invenerit vigilantes amen dico vobis quod praecinget se et faciet illos discumbere et transiens ministrabit illis

38 et si venerit in secunda vigilia et si in tertia vigilia venerit et ita invenerit beati sunt servi illi

39 hoc autem scitote quia si sciret pater familias qua hora fur veniret vigilaret utique et non sineret perfodiri domum suam

40 et vos estote parati quia qua hora non putatis Filius hominis venit

41 ait autem ei Petrus Domine ad nos dicis hanc parabolam an et ad omnes

42 dixit autem Dominus quis putas est fidelis dispensator et prudens quem constituet dominus super familiam suam ut det illis in tempore tritici mensuram

43 beatus ille servus quem cum venerit dominus invenerit ita facientem

44 vere dico vobis quia supra omnia quae possidet constituet illum

45 quod si dixerit servus ille in corde suo moram facit dominus meus venire et coeperit percutere pueros et ancillas et edere et bibere et inebriari

46 veniet dominus servi illius in die qua non sperat et hora qua nescit et dividet eum partemque eius cum infidelibus ponet

47 ille autem servus qui cognovit voluntatem domini sui et non praeparavit et non fecit secundum voluntatem eius vapulabit multas

48 qui autem non cognovit et fecit digna plagis vapulabit paucis omni autem cui multum datum est multum quaeretur ab eo et cui commendaverunt multum plus petent ab eo

49 ignem veni mittere in terram et quid volo si accendatur

50 baptisma autem habeo baptizari et quomodo coartor usque dum perficiatur

51 putatis quia pacem veni dare in terram non dico vobis sed separationem

52 erunt enim ex hoc quinque in domo una divisi tres in duo et duo in tres

53 dividentur pater in filium et filius in patrem suum mater in filiam et filia in matrem socrus in nurum suam et nurus in socrum suam

54 dicebat autem et ad turbas cum videritis nubem orientem ab occasu statim dicitis nimbus venit et ita fit

55 et cum austrum flantem dicitis quia aestus erit et fit

56 hypocritae faciem terrae et caeli nostis probare hoc autem tempus quomodo non probatis

57 quid autem et a vobis ipsis non iudicatis quod iustum est

58 cum autem vadis cum adversario tuo ad principem in via da operam liberari ab illo ne forte trahat te apud iudicem et iudex tradat te exactori et exactor mittat te in carcerem

59 dico tibi non exies inde donec etiam novissimum minutum reddas

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.