Luke 12

1 Christ warneth his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees. 4 Teacheth who ought to be feared. 6 Exhorts to dependence on Gods providence and to confession of his name, and warns them on the blasphemy against the Holy Gost. 13 Refuseth to arbitrate about the inheritance betwixt brethren. 15 Dehorts from covetousness by a similitude of a rich man, who would make his barns greater. 22 Teacheth by the example of the ravens and lillies, that the care of this life should be committed to God, and his kingdom sought before all. 33 Exhorts to give almes. 35 And to watch for his coming. 41 Describes the produce and the reward of a faithfull steward, 45 as also the practice and punishment of an unfaithfull servant. 49 Saith that he came to suffer, and to bring fire on earth. 54 Reproveth the Jewes that they observednot the time of their visitation. 58 and exhorts to reconciliation with adversaries.

1. IN the meantime [Namely, while the Pharisees and the Scribes presled upon him with questions, as is to be seen in the former Chapter , ver.53.] when many thousands [Gr. Ten thousands] of the multitude were gathered together, so that they trod upon one another, he began to say unto his disciples: First take heed to your selves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypoerisa. [namely, that ye be not deceived thereby, or do not follow their example.]

2. And there is nothing covered, that shall not be uncovered, hid, that shall not be known.

3. Therefore all that ye have said in darkness [That is, in secret] shall be heard in the light: and what ye have spoken in the ear, in the inner-chambers, shall be preached on the house tops. [That is the publique, before every one,. See the reason of this phrase in the Annot, on Matth.10.27.]

4. And I say unto you my friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body , and afterwards are able to do no more: [Gr. Have nothing more abundantly to do.]

5. But I will shew you whom ye shall fear: fear him , whom after that he had killed, hath power (also) to cast unto hell:[Gr. The Gehenna. See thereof Matth.5.22.] yea, I say unto you fear him.

6. And are not five sparrows sold for two little pence? [Gr. Assarion; of the value of which peace of money, See Mat.10.29.] and not one of them is forgotten before God.

7. Yea even the hairs of your head are all numbred. Fear not thereof: ye excel many sparrows. [Gr.ye differ from many sparrows.]

8. And I say unto you, everyone that shall confess me before men , him shall also the Son of Man confess before the Angels of God

9. But he that that shall denie me before men, he shall be denied before the Angels of God.

10. And everyone that shall speak (any) word, [That is, any thing.] against the Son of man [that is, he that out of humane finalities, fear, or ignorance, speaks against a blasphemeth Christ person, office, and doctrine.] shall be forgiven him, but he that shall have blasphemed against the holy Ghost, [that is, he that willfully and out of malice against the conviction of the holy Ghost, shall have denied or blasphemed me. See a large exposition hereof Matth, 12 32.] to him it shall not be forgiven.

11. And when they shall bring away into Synagogue, and (to) Magistrates, and Powers be not careful [See the exposition hereof, Matth10.19] how or what ye say for (you) loosens, or what ye shall speak.

12. For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour. [Mat.10 19 it is give, i.e inpire] that which (ye) speak.

13. And one of the multitudes said unto him, Master speaks to my Brother, that he divides the inheritance with me.

14. But he said unto him, man, who hath me for a Judge or an Vmpire over you.

15. And he said unto them, look to it, and beware of the convetousness ,[The Greek word signifies an unsatisfied desire, to have always more] for it (lyeth) not in the abundance, that any man liveth of his goods. [Gr. For not in the abundance of any man, is his life of his goods.]

16. And he spake to them a similitude, and said a rich mans Land [Gr. country (region) i.e a great of Land which this man possessed] had born well.

17. And he reasoned with himself, saying, what shall I do? For I have not wherein (to) I shall gather my fruits.

18. And he said this will I do. I will break down my Barnes, and build greater and there I will gather all this my increase, and these my goods.

19. And I will say to my soul, soul, thou hasth many goods, which are laid up [Gr. Lying] for many years, take rest, eat, drink and merry.

20. But God said to him, thou fool, in this night thy soul shall be required for thee [Gr. They shall ask thy soul of thee, i.e. fetch away, or take away] and that which thou hast prepared, whose shall it be.

21. So (is it with him) which gathereth treasure for himself [Namely, to use for his own ease and pleasure] and is not rich in God. [That is, which is not furnished with the true knowledge and fear of God, and with confidence in him. See Tim. 6.17.18]

22. And he said unto his disciples, therefore I say unto you, be not careful [Namely with two great and anxious care, Matthew 6:25.] for your life, [Gr. Soul] what ye shall eat, nor for the body, wherewith ye shall cloath you.

23. The life is more then the food, and the body then thereinment.

24. Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap, which have no storehouse nor barn ,and God feeds the same: how much do you excel the fowles. [Gr. How much more do you differ from the fowles.]

25. Which of you I pray can with being carefull added one ell [Gr. One cubite. See Mat.6.27.] to his length?

26. If therefore ye cannot (do) even the least, what are ye carefull for the other things? [Gr. remaining, [those that belong to the sustention of the body, and of this life.]

27. Consider the lilies how they grow. They labour not, neither do they spin: And I say unto you, Aeven Solomon in all his glory was cloathed as one of these.

28. Now if God so cloath the grass, that today is on the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven;[See hereof Matthew 6:30.] how much more you, O yee of little faith?

29. And ye ask not (or seek not) what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink: and be not of wavering mind [Or of a doubtful mind. Gr. move not neither and thither, namely, with your care and thoughts. A phrase taken from the cloudes, which on high in the aire, drive this way and that way.]

30. For all these things the Nations of the world, [Or heavens, i.e. worldly men] seek: but your father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31. But seek the Kingdome of God, and all these things shall be cast unto you [Gr. added, or adjoined.]

32. Fear not thou little flock, for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give the Kingdome. [Namely, of God or of heaven.]

33. Sell that which ye have [Namely, rather then that ye should forsake the poor in their necessity. See Acts 4:34.] and give alms. Make yourselves purses which waxe not old, a treasure that faileth not in the heavens, where the thief cometh not at it, nor the moth corrupteth.

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

35. Let your loines be girded about, [That is , be ye prepared. A phrase taken from the manner of that Countrey, where both men and women wore garments, which they trussed up when they prepared themselves to travel or to do any thing] and the candles burning.

36. And be ye like unto the men, which wait for their Lord, [This is taken from the similitude of the weddings , which were kept by night, Mat 25 v 1,6.] when he shall return from the wedding, [Gr. shall part from the wedding, shall be loose, or discharged] that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him straight-way.

37. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching : Verily I say into you, that he shall gird himself about, and shall cause them to sit down, and coming neer he shall serve them.

38. And if he come in the second (night) watch, [The night was divided into four watches, Mat . 14.25.] and come in the third watch, and findes them so, blessed are those servants.

39. But know this that if the Lord of the house had known in what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have let his house be digged thorow.

40. Ye therefore, are ye also ready: for in what hour ye think it not, shall the Son of man come. [Namely, to judgement, 1 Thes.3.13. 2 Pet.3.18. Revel. 3. 3. and 16.15.]

41. And Peter said unto him; Lord saist thou this similitude unto us, or also unto all?

42. And the Lord said, who is then the faithfull and prudent steward, whom the Lord shall set over his household to give (them) the appointed portion of meat [Gr. measured meat, or corn] in due season.

43. Blessed is the servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44. Truly I say to you, that he shall set him over all his goods.

45. But if that servant should say in his heart , My Lord delayeth to come, and shall begin to beat the men-servants and maid-servants, and to eat, and to drink, and to be drunken;

46. The Lord of that servant shall come at the day in which he expected him not: and shall separate him [Namely, from his family. Others cut him in two. See Mat.24.51.] and shall appoint his part with the unfaithfull [or unbelieving, Mat.24.51. it is said hypocrites.]

47. And that servant which knew the will of his Lord, and prepared not (himself) neither did according to his will, he shall be beaten with many (stripes)

48. But he that knew not (the same) and hath done (things)that are worthy of stripes, he shall be beaten with few (stripes.) And every one to whom much is given of him shall much be demanded: and with whom men have entrusted much [or with whom men have laid up much] of him they will ask more abundantly.

49. I am come to cast fire on Earth, [That is, the doctrine of the gospel, which in it self, and in respect of the faith full is a doctrine of peace, but through the wickedness of men which will not endure the same, it is a fire of perfection, and occasion of discord. See v.51. or 39.29. 1Pet.1.7.] and what will I more, seeing it is already kindled.]

50. But I must be baptized with a baptism, That is, with grievous suffering. See Mat.20.22.] and how am I pressed, [namely, either with distress or with desire until it be accomplished] until it be accomplished.

51. Think ye that I come to give peace unto the earth? No I say unto you, but much rather division.

52. For from henceforward there shall five in one house be 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 the Daughter in Law, and the Daughter in Law against the Mother in Law.

54. And he said also to the multitudes, when ye see a cloud arise from the West, straightway ye say there cometh the rain: and it comes so to pass.

55. And when ye (see) the South-wind blow, ye say, there will be heat: and it cometh to pass.

56. Ye hypocrites, the face [That is, the state or appearance] of the Earth and of the Heaven ye know to try, [that is, distinguish, as it is expounded Mat.16.3.] and how do ye not try this time? [that is , the condition of this time, in which came to pass so many signes of the presence of the Messiah; which hereafter is called the time of visitation, Luke 19:44.]

57. And why do ye judge even of your selves, [Namely, before ye are compelled thereto, as is it be seen in the following verse] that which is right.

58. For as thou goest with thine adversary before the Magistrate, give diligence on the way to be delivered from him, [Namely by pacifying and satisfying thine adversary] lest perhaps he draw thee before the Judge, and the Judge deliver thee over to the Minister of Justice [Gr. Practor, i.e. Monitor, or exactor of the fine imposed by the Judge] and the Minister of Justice cast thee into prison.

59. I say unto thee thou shalt not by no meanes go out thence, until thou shalt have paid even the last penny. [How much such a penny was worth? See Mark 12:42.]