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Luke Chapter
Twelve
Luke 12
Chapter 12 puts the disciples into this place of
testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost
and with the world opposed to them
after the Lord's departure. It is the word and the Holy Ghost
instead of the
Messiah on the earth. They were neither to fear opposition
nor to trust in
themselves
but to fear God and trust to His help; and the Holy Ghost would
teach them what to say. All things should be revealed. God reaches the soul:
man can only touch the body. Here that which goes beyond present promises
the
connection of the soul with God
is put forward. It is coming out from Judaism
to be before God. Their calling was to manifest God in the world at all
costs-to manifest Him to faith before all things were made manifest. It might
cost them dear before men: Jesus would confess them before angels. It is
bringing the disciples into the light as God is in it
and the fear of God by
the word and faith when the power of evil was present; all that evil
however
secret
would be brought to light.
Nor this only. Blasphemy against the witness given would
in their
case
be worse than blaspheming Christ. This might be forgiven (it has been
indeed
and will be at the end to the Jews as a nation); but whosoever spoke in
blasphemy against the testimony of the disciples blasphemed against the Holy
Ghost. It should not be forgiven. But the Lord deals with their heart as well
as with their conscience. He encourages them by three things: 1st
the
protection of Him who counted the hairs of their head
whatever might be the
trials of their faith; 2nd
the fact that
in heaven and before the angels
their faithfulness to Christ in this painful mission should be acknowledged by
Him; and 3rd
the importance of their mission
its rejection being more fatally
condemning than the rejection of Christ Himself. God had taken a step
and a
final step
in His grace and in His testimony. The bringing to light of all
things
the care of God
their being confessed by Christ in heaven
the power
of the Holy Ghost with them-these are the motives and the encouragements here
given to the disciples for their mission after the Lord's departure.
That which follows brings out yet more distinctly the
position in which the disciples were placed
according to the counsels of God
by the rejection of Christ (v. 13). The Lord formally refuses to execute
justice in Israel. This was not His place. He deals with souls
and directs
their attention to another life which outlasts the present; and
instead of
dividing the inheritance between the brothers
He warns the multitude to beware
of covetousness
instructing them by the parable of the rich man who was
suddenly called hence in the midst of his projects. What became of his soul?
But
having established this general basis
He turns to
His disciples and teaches them the great practical principles that were to
guide their walk. They were not to think of the morrow
but to trust in God.
Moreover they had no power over it Let them seek the kingdom of God
and all
that they needed should be added. This was their position in the world that
rejected Him. But besides the Father's heart was interested in them: they were
to fear nothing. It was the Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom.
Strangers and pilgrims here
their treasure was to be in heaven; and thus their
heart would be there also. [1] Besides this
they were to wait for the
Lord. Three things were to influence their souls: the Father would give them
the kingdom
their heart's treasure in heaven
and the expectation of the
Lord's return. Until the Lord should come
they were required to watch-to have
their lamps burning; their whole position should manifest the effect of the
continual expectation of the Lord-should express this expectation. They were to
be as men who waited for Him with their loins girded; and in that case
when
all should be according to the Lord's own heart
re-established by His power
and they brought into His Father's house
He would make them sit down
and
in
His turn
gird Himself to serve them.
It is of all importance to fix the attention of the
reader on the point
that what the Lord looks for here is not the holding
however clearly
the Lord's coming at the end of the age
but that the
Christian should be waiting for Him
in a full profession of Christ
and his
heart in spiritual order. Such
the Lord will make to sit down as guests
but
such for ever
in His Father's house where He has brought them
and will Himself
in love minister the blessing. This love will make the blessings ten thousand
fold more precious
all received from His hand. Love likes to serve
selfishness to be served. But He did not come to be ministered to. This love He
will never give up.
Nothing can be more exquisite than the grace expressed in these
verses
35 and 37. [2] On the inquiry of Peter
desirous of knowing
to whom Jesus addressed these instructions
the Lord refers him to the
responsibility of those to whom He committed duties during His absence. Thus we
have the two things that characterise the disciples after the rejection of
Christ-the expectation of His return
and service. The expectation
the vigilance
that watches with girded loins to receive Him
finds its reward in rest
and in
the feast (happiness ministered by Him) at which Jesus girds Himself to serve
them; faithfulness in service
by having rule over all that belongs to the Lord
of glory. We have seen
besides these special relationships between the walk of
the disciples and their position in the world to come
the general truth of the
renunciation of the world in which the Saviour had been rejected
and the
possession of the kingdom by the gift of the Father.
In that which He says afterwards of the service of those
who bear His name during His absence
the Lord also points out those who will
be in this position
but unfaithful; thus characterising those who
while
publicly exercising ministry in the church
should have their portion with the
unbelievers. The secret of the evil that characterises their unbelief would be
found in this
that their hearts would put off the return of Jesus
instead of
desiring it and hastening it by their aspirations
and serving with humility in
the desire of being found faithful. They will say
He is not coming
immediately; and
in consequence
they will do their own will
accommodate
themselves to the spirit of the world
and assume authority over their fellow-servants.
What a picture of that which has taken place! But their Master (for He was so
although they had not truly served Him) would come at a moment whenthey did not
expect Him
as a thief in the night; and
although professing to be His
servants
they should have their portion with unbelievers. Nevertheless there
would be a difference between the two; for the servant who knew his own
Master's will and did not make ready for Him
as the fruit of his expectations
and did not perform his Master's will
should be severely punished; whilst he
who had not the knowledge of His will should be punished less severely. I have
added "own" to the word "Master
" according to the
original
which signifies a recognised relationship with the Lord
and its
consequent obligation. The other was ignorant of the explicit will of the Lord
but he committed the evil which in any case he ought not to have done. It is
the history of true and false servants of Christ
of the professing church
and
of the world in general. But there cannot be a more solemn testimony as to what
brought unfaithfulness into the church
and led to its ruin and approaching
judgment
namely
the giving up the present expectation of the Lord's coming.
If it shall be required of persons according to their advantages
who will be so guilty as those that call themselves the ministers of the Lord
if they do not serve Him as in expectation of His return?
Nevertheless the Lord
thus rejected
was come to bring
conflict and fire on the earth. His presence kindled it even before His
rejection
in the baptism of death through which He was to pass
was
accomplished. It was not
however
till after this that His love would have
full liberty to develop itself in power. Thus His heart
which was love even
according to the infinitude of the Godhead
was straitened until the atonement
gave free course to it
and to the accomplishment of all the purposes of God
in which His power should be manifested according to that love
and to which
this atonement was absolutely necessary as the basis of the reconciliation of
all things in heaven and earth. [3] Verse 51-53. He shews in detail the
divisions that would be the result of His mission. The world would no more
endure faith in the Saviour than it did the Saviour Himself
who was its object
and whom it confessed. It is well to note how the presence of the Saviour draws
out the evil of the human heart. The state described here is in Micah
the description
of the most dreadful state of evil conceivable (Micah 7:1-7).
He then addresses Himself to the people
to warn them of
the existing signs of the times in which they lived. He puts this testimony on
a twofold ground: the evident signs which God gave; and the moral proofs which
even without the signs
conscience ought to acknowledge
and which thus oblige
them to receive the testimony.
Be they ever so blind
they are in the way to the judge.
Once delivered up
they should not come out till the chastisement of God was
fully executed upon them. [4] (compare Isaiah 40:2).
[1] Observe
here
that the heart follows the treasure. It is not
as men say
where your
heart is
your treasure is-my heart is not in it; but "where your treasure
is
there win your heart be also."
[2] Here
we have the heavenly portion of those who wait for the Lord during His absence.
It is the character of the we disciple in his heavenly aspect
as service in
his place on earth. Observe also that the Lord was a servant down here.
According to John 13 He becomes a servant on ascending to heaven
an Advocate
to wash our feet. In this place He makes Himself a servant for our blessing in
heaven. In Exodus 21
if the servant who had fulfilled his service did not wish
to go out free
he was brought to the judges
and was fastened to the door by
an awl which bored his ear in token of perpetual bondage. Jesus had perfectly
accomplished His service to His Father at the end of His life on earth. In
Psalm 40 His "ears were digged" (that is
a body prepared
which is
the position of obedience: compare Philippians 2). This is the incarnation. Now
His service was finished in His life on earth as man
but He loved us too
much-He loved His Father too much in the character of servant-to give it up;
and at His death His ear
according to Exodus 21
was bored
and He became
servant for ever-a man for ever-now to wash our feet; hereafter in heaven
when
He shall take us to Himself according to the passage we are considering. What a
glorious picture of the love of Christ.
[3] It
is blessed to see here how
let evil in man be what it may
it after all leads
to the accomplishment of the counsels of His grace. The unbelief of man drove
back divine love into the heart of Christ
unweakened surely
but unable to
flow forth and express itself; but its full effect on the cross made it flow
forth unhindered
in grace that reigns through righteousness
to the vilest. It
is a singularly interesting and blessed passage.
[4] Let
us here
in a note
sum up the contents of these two chapters
that we may
better understand the instruction they contain. In the first (12) the Lord
speaks
in order to detach the thoughts of all from this world-to the
disciples
by directing them to Him who had power over the soul as well as the
body
and encouraging them with the knowledge of their Father's faithful care
and His purposes to give them the kingdom; meanwhile they were to be strangers
and pilgrims
without anxiety as to all that happened around them-to the
multitude
by shewing them that the most prosperous man could not secure one
day of life. But He adds something positive. His disciples were to expect Him
from day to day
constantly. Not only should heaven be their portion
but there
they should possess all things. They shall sit at meat
and He Will Himself
serve them. This is the heavenly portion of the church at the Lord's return. In
service until He comes-service that requires incessant watchfulness; it will
then be His turn to serve them. We next have their inheritance
and the
judgment of the professing church and of the world. His teaching produced
division
instead of establishing the kingdom in power. But He must die. This
leads to another subject-the present judgment of the Jews. They were on the
road
with God
towards judgment (chap. 13). The government of God would not
manifest itself by distinguishing the wicked in Israel through partial
judgments. All should perish
unless they repented. The Lord was cultivating
the fig-tree for the final year; if the people of God did not bring forth
fruit
it spoilt His garden. To make a pretence of the law in opposition to a
God present with them (even He who had given them the law) was hypocrisy. The
kingdom was not to be established by the manifestation on earth of the King's
power. It should grow from a little seed until it became an immense system of power
in the earth
and a doctrine which
as a system
should penetrate the whole
mass. On inquiry being made whether the remnant was numerous
He insists upon
entrance by the narrow gate of conversion
and of faith in Himself; for many
would seek to enter into the kingdom and not be able: when once the Master of
the house had risen up and shut the door (that is
Christ being rejected of
Israel)
in vain should they say that He had been in their cities. Workers of
iniquity should not enter into the kingdom. The Lord is speaking here entirely
of the Jews. They shall see the patriarchs
the prophets-Gentiles even from all
parts-in the kingdom
and themselves outside. Nevertheless the accomplishment
of the rejection of Christ did not depend on the will of man
of the false king
who sought
by the Pharisees' account
to get rid of Him. The purposes of God
and alas! the iniquity of man
were fulfilled together. Jerusalem was to fill
up the measure of her iniquity. It could not be that a prophet should perish
except at Jerusalem. But then the putting man to the proof in his
responsibility closes in the rejection of Jesus. He speaks
in touching and
magnificent language
as Jehovah Himself. How many times this God of goodness
would have gathered the children of Zion under His wings
and they would not!
As far as depended on the will of man
it was complete separation and
desolation. And in fact it was so. All was over now for Israel with Jehovah
but not for Jehovah with Israel. It was the prophet's part to reckon on the
faithfulness of his God and-assured that this could not fail
and that
if
judgments came
it would only be for a time-to say
"How long?"
(Isaiah 6:11; Psalm 79:5). Distress is complete when there is no faith
no one
to say
"How long?" (Psalm 74:9). But here the great Prophet Himself
is rejected. Nevertheless asserting His rights of grace
as Jehovah
He
declares to them
unasked
the end of their desolation. "Ye shall not see
me until ye shall say
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."
This sudden manifestation of the rights of His divinity
and of His divinity
itself
in grace
when as to their responsibility all was lost in spite of His
gracious culture
is surpassingly beautiful. It is God Himself who appears at
the end of all His dealings. We see from this recapitulation that chapter 12
gives us the heavenly portion of the church
heaven
and the life to come;
chapter 13 adding to it (with verses 54-59 of chapter 17) the government of
Israel and of the earth
with the outward form of that which should replace it
here below.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Luke》
Luke 12
Chapter Contents
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)
Commentary on Luke 12:1-12
(Read Luke 12:1-12)
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.
Commentary on Luke 12:13-21
(Read Luke 12:13-21)
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.
Commentary on Luke 12:22-40
(Read Luke 12:22-40)
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.
Commentary on Luke 12:41-53
(Read Luke 12:41-53)
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.
Commentary on Luke 12:54-59
(Read Luke 12:54-59)
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.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Luke》
Luke 12
Verse 3
[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.
Verse 4
[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.
But I say to you
Fear not — Let not the fear of man make you act the hypocrite
or conceal any thing
which I have commissioned you to publish.
Verse 5
[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.
Fear him who hath power to cast into hell — Even to his peculiar friends
Christ gives this direction. Therefore the
fearing of God as having power to cast into hell
is to be pressed even on true
believers.
Verse 6
[6] Are
not five sparrows sold for two farthings
and not one of them is forgotten
before God?
Are not five sparrows — But trust as well as fear him.
Verse 7
[7] But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore:
ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Verse 8
[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:
And I say to you — If
you avoid all hypocrisy
and openly avow my Gospel: The Son of man shall
confess you - before the angels - At the last day. Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26.
Verse 10
[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.
And whosoever — As
if he had said
Yet the denying me in some degree
may
upon true repentance
be forgiven; but if it rise so high as that of the blasphemy against the Holy
Ghost
it shall never be forgiven
neither is there place for repentance. Matthew 12:31; Mark 3:28.
Verse 11
[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:
Take no thought — Be
not solicitous about the matter or manner of your defence; nor how to express
yourselves. Matthew 10:19; Luke 21:12.
Verse 14
[14] And
he said unto him
Man
who made me a judge or a divider over you?
Who made me a judge? — In worldly things. His kingdom is not of this world.
Verse 15
[15] And
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.
He said to them —
Perhaps to the two brothers
and through them to the people.
A man's life —
That is
the comfort or happiness of it.
Verse 17
[17] And
he thought within himself
saying
What shall I do
because I have no room
where to bestow my fruits?
What shall I do? —
The very language of want! Do? Why
lay up treasure in heaven.
Verse 20
[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?
Thou fool — To
think of satisfying thy soul with earthly goods! To depend on living many
years! Yea
one day! They - The messengers of death
commissioned by God
require thy soul of thee!
Verse 21
[21] So
is he that layeth up treasure for himself
and is not rich toward God.
Rich toward God —
Namely
in faith
and love
and good works.
Verse 22
[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.
Verse 25
[25] And
which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
Which of you can add the least measure — It seems
to add one cubit to a thing (which is the phrase in the
original) was a kind of proverbial expression for making the least addition to
it.
Verse 28
[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?
The grass —
The Greek word means all sorts of herbs and flowers.
Verse 29
[29] And
seek not ye what ye shall eat
or what ye shall drink
neither be ye of
doubtful mind.
Neither be ye of a doubtful mind — The word in the original signifies
any speculations or musings in which
the mind fluctuates
or is suspended (like meteors in the air) in an uneasy
hesitation.
Verse 32
[32] Fear
not
little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom.
It is your Father's good pleasure to give you
the kingdom — How much more food and raiment? And since
ye have such an inheritance
regard not your earthly possessions.
Verse 33
[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.
Sell what ye have —
This is a direction
not given to all the multitude: (much less is it a
standing rule for all Christians:) neither to the apostles; for they had
nothing to sell
having left all before: but to his other disciples
(mentioned
Luke 12:22
and Acts 1:15
) especially to the seventy
that they
might be free from all worldly entanglements. Matthew 6:19.
Verse 35
[35] Let
your loins be girded about
and your lights burning;
Let your loins be girt — An allusion to the long garments
worn by the eastern nations
which
they girded or tucked up about their loins
when they journeyed or were
employed in any labour: as also to the lights that servants used to carry at
weddings
which were generally in the night.
Verse 37
[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.
He will come and serve them — The meaning is
he will show them his love
in the most condescending
and tender manner.
Verse 38
[38] And
if he shall come in the second watch
or come in the third watch
and find them
so
blessed are those servants.
The Jews frequently divided the night into
three watches
to which our Lord seems here to allude.
Verse 41
[41] Then
Peter said unto him
Lord
speakest thou this parable unto us
or even to all?
Speakest thou this parable to us — Apostles and disciples: Or to all - The people? Does it concern us
alone? Or all men?
Verse 42
[42] And
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?
Who is that faithful and wise steward — Our Lord's answer manifestly implies
that he had spoken this parable primarily
(though not wholly) to the ministers of his word: Whom his lord shall make
ruler over his household - For his wisdom and faithfulness.
Verse 43
[43]
Blessed is that servant
whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Happy is that servant — God himself pronounces him wise
faithful
happy! Yet we see
he might
fall from all
and perish for ever.
Verse 46
[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.
The Lord will appoint him his portion — His everlasting portion
with the unfaithful - As faithful as he was
once
God himself being the Judge!
Verse 47
[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.
And that servant who knew his Lord's will
shall be beaten with many stripes — And his having much
knowledge will increase
not lessen
his punishment.
Verse 49
[49] I am
come to send fire on the earth; and what will I
if it be already kindled?
I am come to send fire — To spread the fire of heavenly love over all the earth.
Verse 50
[50] But
I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be
accomplished!
But I have a baptism to be baptized with — I must suffer first
before I can set up my kingdom. And how I long to
fight my way through all!
Verse 51
[51]
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you
Nay; but rather
division:
Suppose ye that I am come to send peace upon
earth — That universal peace will be the immediate
effect of my coming? Not so
but quite the contrary. Matthew 10:34.
Verse 52
[52] For
from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided
three against two
and two against three.
There shall be five in one house
three
against two
and two against three — There being an
irreconcilable enmity between the Spirit of Christ and the spirit of the world.
Verse 53
[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.
The father against the son — For those who reject me will be implacable toward their very nearest
relations who receive me. At this day also is this scripture fulfilled. Now
likewise there is no concord between Christ and Belial.
Verse 54
[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.
And he said to the people also — In the preceding verses he speaks only to his disciples.
From the west — In
Judea
the west wind
blowing from the sea
usually brought rain: the south
wind
blowing from the deserts of Arabia
occasioned sultry heat. Matthew 16:2.
Verse 56
[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?
How do ye not discern this season — Of the Messiah's coming
distinguishable by so many surer signs.
Verse 57
[57] Yea
and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
Why even of yourselves
without any external
sign
judge ye not what is right? - Why do ye not discern and acknowledge the
intrinsic excellence of my doctrine?
Verse 58
[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.
When thou art going — As
if he had said
And ye have not a moment to lose. For the executioners of God's
vengeance are at hand. And when he hath once delivered you over to them
ye are
undone for ever. Matthew 5:25.
Verse 59
[59] I
tell thee
thou shalt not depart thence
till thou hast paid the very last
mite.
A mite —
was about the third part of a farthing sterling.
── John ‘Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Luke》
Chapter 12. Follow the Holy Spirit
Worldly
Abundance
Spiritual Abundance
I. Fear God the
Trinity
II. Do Not
Worry about This Life
III. Watch in
Serving God
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
The Rich Fool (Lk 12:13-21)
INTRODUCTION
1. It is amazing sometimes how spiritually dense
and worldly minded
people can be... a. I've known some to habitually fall asleep
not during a long sermon
but at the beginning! b. On one occasion
I was sharing the gospel of Christ with a person... 1) After presenting the gospel message and reviewing examples of conversion in the NT
I asked if he had any questions 2) He only had one: "In that passage where the Spirit caught Philip away (Ac 8:39)
do you think that could have actually been a UFO?" 2. A similar thing happened to Jesus on one occasion... a. He was teaching on the importance of fearing God
and confessing Him before others b. When someone from the crowd interrupts with a request for Jesus to resolve a family dispute over an inheritance! -- This prompted not only a terse response from Jesus
but a warning and parable to the crowd about the dangers of covetousness and placing one's confidence in earthly riches [The parable
known as "The Rich Fool"
is recorded in Lk 12:13-21.In our materialistic society
what Jesus has to say is especially relevant today. Let's start by taking a closer look at...] I. JESUS' RESPONSE TO AN UNTIMELY REQUEST
A. JESUS HAD BEEN TEACHING A LARGE MULTITUDE... 1. Warning them about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees - Lk 12:1-3 2. Teaching them about the fear of God - Lk 12:4-7 3. Instructing them on the need to confess Him before men - Lk 12:8-12
B. WHEN ONE FROM THE CROWD MAKES A REQUEST... 1. He wants Jesus to resolve a family dispute over an inheritance - Lk 12:13 2. The question reveals where the man's attention has been... a. Not on the spiritual truths being taught by the Son of God b. But on how he can get his share of the inheritance from his brother! -- This is as incongruous as thinking about a football game during a sermon! C. JESUS' RESPONSE... 1. The Lord's displeasure is evident - Lk 13:14 a. By His use of the term "Man" - "The very form of addressing him puts him at a distance. 'Man' is about as frigid as canbe." (MACLAREN)
b. By refusing to become an arbitrator in this matter 2. The Lord knows the true nature of this man's problem - Lk