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Luke 12-13

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Luke 12

¹¶ In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, ‹Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.›

²‹For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.›

³‹Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.›

⁴‹And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.›

⁵‹But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.›

⁶‹Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?›

⁷‹But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.›

⁸‹Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:›

⁹‹But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.›

¹⁰‹And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.›

¹¹‹And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and› [unto] ‹magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:›

¹²‹For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.›

¹³¶ And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

¹⁴And he said unto him, ‹Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?›

¹⁵And he said unto them, ‹Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.›

¹⁶And he spake a parable unto them, saying, ‹The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:›

¹⁷‹And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?›

¹⁸‹And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.›

¹⁹‹And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink,› [and] ‹be merry.›

²⁰‹But God said unto him,› [Thou] ‹fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?›

²¹‹So› [is] ‹he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.›

²²¶ And he said unto his disciples, ‹Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.›

²³‹The life is more than meat, and the body› [is more] ‹than raiment.›

²⁴‹Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?›

²⁵‹And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?›

²⁶‹If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?›

²⁷‹Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.›

²⁸‹If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more› [will he clothe] ‹you, O ye of little faith?›

²⁹‹And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.›

³⁰‹For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.›

³¹‹But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.›

³²‹Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.›

³³‹Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.›

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

³⁵‹Let your loins be girded about, and› [your] ‹lights burning;›

³⁶‹And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.›

³⁷‹Blessed› [are] ‹those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.›

³⁸‹And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find› [them] ‹so, blessed are those servants.›

³⁹‹And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.›

⁴⁰‹Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.›

⁴¹¶ Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

⁴²And the Lord said, ‹Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom› [his] ‹lord shall make ruler over his household, to give› [them their] ‹portion of meat in due season?›

⁴³‹Blessed› [is] ‹that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.›

⁴⁴‹Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.›

⁴⁵‹But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;›

⁴⁶‹The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for› [him], ‹and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.›

⁴⁷‹And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not› [himself], ‹neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many› [stripes].

⁴⁸‹But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few› [stripes]. ‹For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.›

⁴⁹‹I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?›

⁵⁰‹But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!›

⁵¹‹Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:›

⁵²‹For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.›

⁵³‹The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.›

⁵⁴¶ And he said also to the people, ‹When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.›

⁵⁵‹And when› [ye see] ‹the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.›

⁵⁶[Ye] ‹hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?›

⁵⁷‹Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?›

⁵⁸‹When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate,› [as thou art] ‹in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.›

⁵⁹‹I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.›

Luke 13

¹¶ There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

²And Jesus answering said unto them, ‹Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?›

³‹I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.›

⁴‹Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?›

⁵‹I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.›

⁶¶ He spake also this parable; ‹A certain› [man] ‹had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.›

⁷‹Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?›

⁸‹And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung› [it]:

⁹‹And if it bear fruit,› [well]: ‹and if not,› [then] ‹after that thou shalt cut it down.›

¹⁰¶ And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

¹¹And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up [herself].

¹²And when Jesus saw her, he called [her to him], and said unto her, ‹Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.›

¹³And he laid [his] hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

¹⁴And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

¹⁵The Lord then answered him, and said, [Thou] ‹hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or› [his] ‹ass from the stall, and lead› [him] ‹away to watering?›

¹⁶‹And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?›

¹⁷And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

¹⁸¶ Then said he, ‹Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?›

¹⁹‹It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.›

²⁰And again he said, ‹Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?›

²¹‹It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.›

²²And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

²³¶ Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

²⁴‹Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.›

²⁵‹When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:›

²⁶‹Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.›

²⁷‹But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all› [ye] ‹workers of iniquity.›

²⁸‹There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you› [yourselves] ‹thrust out.›

²⁹‹And they shall come from the east, and› [from] ‹the west, and from the north, and› [from] ‹the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.›

³⁰‹And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.›

³¹¶ The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

³²And he said unto them, ‹Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third› [day] ‹I shall be perfected.›

³³‹Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the› [day] ‹following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.›

³⁴‹O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen› [doth gather] ‹her brood under› [her] ‹wings, and ye would not!›

³⁵‹Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until› [the time] ‹come when ye shall say, Blessed› [is] ‹he that cometh in the name of the Lord.›

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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

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Luke 12:1-12 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.

Luke 12:13-21 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.

Luke 12:22-40 Verses 22-40

Christ largely insisted upon this caution not to give way to disquieting, perplexing cares, Mt 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.

Luke 12:41-53 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.

Luke 12:54-59 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.

Luke 13:1-5 Verses 1-5

Mention was made to Christ of the death of some Galileans. This tragical story is briefly related here, and is not met with in any historians. In Christ's reply he spoke of another event, which, like it, gave an instance of people taken away by sudden death. Towers, that are built for safety, often prove to be men's destruction. He cautioned his hearers not to blame great sufferers, as if they were therefore to be accounted great sinners. As no place or employment can secure from the stroke of death, we should consider the sudden removals of others as warnings to ourselves. On these accounts Christ founded a call to repentance. The same Jesus that bids us repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, bids us repent, for otherwise we shall perish.

Luke 13:6-9 Verses 6-9

This parable of the barren fig-tree is intended to enforce the warning given just before: the barren tree, except it brings forth fruit, will be cut down. This parable in the first place refers to the nation and people of the Jews. Yet it is, without doubt, for awakening all that enjoy the means of grace, and the privileges of the visible church. When God has borne long, we may hope that he will bear with us yet a little longer, but we cannot expect that he will bear always.

Luke 13:10-17 Verses 10-17

Our Lord Jesus attended upon public worship on the sabbaths. Even bodily infirmities, unless very grievous, should not keep us from public worship on sabbath days. This woman came to Christ to be taught, and to get good to her soul, and then he relieved her bodily infirmity. This cure represents the work of Christ's grace upon the soul. And when crooked souls are made straight, they will show it by glorifying God. Christ knew that this ruler had a real enmity to him and to his gospel, and that he did but cloak it with a pretended zeal for the sabbath day; he really would not have them be healed any day; but if Jesus speaks the word, and puts forth his healing power, sinners are set free. This deliverance is often wrought on the Lord's day; and whatever labour tends to put men in the way of receiving the blessing, agrees with the design of that day.

Luke 13:18-22 Verses 18-22

Here is the progress of the gospel foretold in two parables, as in Mt 13. The kingdom of the Messiah is the kingdom of God. May grace grow in our hearts; may our faith and love grow exceedingly, so as to give undoubted evidence of their reality. May the example of God's saints be blessed to those among whom they live; and may his grace flow from heart to heart, until the little one becomes a thousand.

Luke 13:23-30 Verses 23-30

Our Saviour came to guide men's consciences, not to gratify their curiosity. Ask not, How many shall be saved? But, Shall I be one of them? Not, What shall become of such and such? But, What shall I do, and what will become of me? Strive to enter in at the strait gate. This is directed to each of us; it is, Strive ye. All that will be saved, must enter in at the strait gate, must undergo a change of the whole man. Those that would enter in, must strive to enter. Here are awakening considerations, to enforce this exhortation. Oh that we may be all awakened by them! They answer the question, Are there few that shall be saved? But let none despond either as to themselves or others, for there are last who shall be first, and first who shall be last. If we reach heaven, we shall meet many there whom we little thought to meet, and miss many whom we expected to find.

Luke 13:31-35 Verses 31-35

Christ, in calling Herod a fox, gave him his true character. The greatest of men were accountable to God, therefore it became him to call this proud king by his own name; but it is not an example for us. I know, said our Lord, that I must die very shortly; when I die, I shall be perfected, I shall have completed my undertaking. It is good for us to look upon the time we have before us as but little, that we may thereby be quickened to do the work of the day in its day. The wickedness of persons and places which more than others profess religion and relation to God, especially displeases and grieves the Lord Jesus. The judgment of the great day will convince unbelievers; but let us learn thankfully to welcome, and to profit by all who come in the name of the Lord, to call us to partake of his great salvation.

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Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33; Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43) = "kingdom of… Magistrate A public civil officer invested with authority. The Hebrew shophetim,… Son of man (1.) Denotes mankind generally, with special reference to their weakness… Punishment The New Testament lays down the general principles of good… Thousands (Micah 5:2), another name for "families" or "clans" (see Num.… Pharisees Separatists (Heb. persahin, from parash, "to separate"). They were probably… Adversary (Heb. satan), an opponent or foe (1 Kings 5:4; 11:14,… Synagogue (Gr. sunagoge, i.e., "an assembly"), found only once in the… Jerusalem Called also Salem, Ariel, Jebus, the "city of God," the… Faithful As a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful,… Villages (Judg. 5:7, 11). The Hebrew word thus rendered (perazon) means… Gentiles (Heb., usually in plural, goyim), meaning in general all nations… Daughter This word, besides its natural and proper sense, is used… Parable (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the… Abraham Father of a multitude, son of Terah, named (Gen. 11:27)… Mustard A plant of the genus sinapis, a pod-bearing, shrub-like plant,… Sabbath (Heb. verb shabbath, meaning "to rest from labour"), the day… Bondage Of Israel in Egypt (Ex. 2:23, 25; 5), which is…

Luke 12-13

Luke 12

Luke 13

Study and Reflection

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

Key Words and Topics

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Related Topics

Abraham in Paradise Luke 13:28

Abraham: How Regarded by his Descendants Luke 13:16, 28

Accountability Luke 12:47, 48

Afflictions and Adversities: Consolation In Luke 12:6, 7

Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Digging Luke 13:8

All Christians should be As Missionaries in Devoting all Property to God Luke 12:33

All Sins Being Equal Luke 12:47, 48

Alms: Commandments and Practices Concerning Luke 12:33

Angel (A Spirit): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Luke 12:8, 9

Animal Cruelty Luke 12:6

Animal Rights Luke 12:48

Animal Testing Luke 12:6

Animals: God's Care of Luke 12:6, 24

Asking for Forgiveness Luke 13:3

Automobiles Luke 12:33, 34

Barn: General Scriptures Concerning Luke 12:18, 24

Being Anxious Luke 12:24

Being Content Luke 12:22

Being Distracted Luke 12:34

Being Greedy Luke 12:33

Being Late Luke 12:40

Being Overweight Luke 12:29

Being Ready Luke 12:40

Being Sad Luke 12:40

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