Luke 12

1 the leaven of the Pharisees. Their corrupt doctrine. For they say, and do not (Matt. xxiii. 3). 2-9. See notes on Matt. x. 26-33.

8 confess me before men. A firm and consistent avowal before the world of Jesus as the object of worship, love, and trust.

10 blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost. See notes on Matt. xii. 31, 32.

11 when they bring you unto the synagogues. See note on Matt. x. 19.

14. Who made me a judge or a divider over you? It was no part of our Lord’s office to administer the laws, or to arbitrar to civil matters. He came to teach men the higher law of love; and to correct the desire of worldly gain, and reliance upon earthly possessions as a source of happiness.

15 a man’s life, etc. The meaning is, However large a man’s possessions may be, his “life,” even his natural life, does not depend upon them; and the higher life, the spiritual and immortal life, may be lost through them.

16 a parable. Only in Luke.

brought forth plentifully. The case is not that of a dishonest man or an extortioner. His riches were fairly acquired; the gift of Providence.

17 no room (place). Ambrose well observes, “Thou hast storehouses, the bosoms of the needy, the homes of widows, the mouths of infants.”

20 shall be required. R.V., “is required”; literally, “This night they require thy soul of thee”; the man awakes to the consciousness that he must surrender this pampered life at once.

21 layeth up treasure for himself. As one whose trust and aims terminate in himself. This is the impoverishment, and at length the loss of soul.

22-31. A repetition with variations of what had already been uttered in the Sermon on the Mount: see notes on Matt. vi. 25-33.

24. Consider the ravens. Cp. Job xxxviii. 41; Psa. cxlvii. 9. In the Sermon on the Mount the reference is more general: “the fowls of the air.”

26. If ye then, etc. This application of the foregoing lesson is peculiar to Luke, though it is suggested in Matt. vi. 27.

29 neither be ye of doubtful mind. A word peculiar to this passage. Be not agitated, worried.

31 the kingdom. “That state, first internal, then social, in which the human will is nothing but the free agent of the Divine will” (Godet).

33. Sell that ye have, etc. Our Lord now passes from procopia respecting the acquisition of riches to counsels as to their worthy use. He speaks to all those who would follow Him. They must give up all to do so. Compare the command to the young ruler: Matt. xix. 21, and note.

where no thief approacheth, etc. They are not liable either to violence or to decay.

35. Let your loins be girded. See note on Jer. i. 17; and Matt. xxv. 1. Be ever ready and watchful. The gathering up of the loose Eastern robes was the sign of readiness for immediate active service.

your lights burning. This symbol is similar to that used in the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, Matt. xxv.

37 and serve them. Treating them not as servants (xvii. 7, 8), but as most honoured and distinguished guests: see John xiii. 1-16; Rev. iii. 20, 21.

38 second watch, etc. See note on Matt. xiv. 25. The second and third watches, extending from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., are selected probably to illustrate unsleeping vigilance, as that is the part of the night in which men would be most drowsy.

39-46. See notes on Matt. xxiv. 42-51.

39 the goodman of the house. The phrase is the same as that elsewhere rendered “master of the house” or “householder.”

41. Then Peter said, etc. This question of Peter is peculiar to Luke.

48 he that knew not. All men have some knowledge of God’s will; but those who have the light of revelation, and neglect it, are specially guilty: see Rom. ii. 12-16.

49 and what will I if, etc.? Rather, “and what will I? Oh that it were already kindled!” Some regard this “fire” as referring to the power of the Holy Spirit: see Matt. iii. 11; Acts ii. 3, 4. Others think that it refers to the persecutions and dissensions which the spread of the gospel has occasioned (51, 52). But see note on Matt. iii. 11, in accordance with which passage it is best to interpret this. Cp. the traditional saying of our Lord, “He who is near me is near the fire.”

50 straitened. Restrained; held back; distressed. The word is used by the apostle Paul, 2 Cor. v. 14; Phil. i. 23.

52 but rather division. See Matt. x. 34, and note.

54-56. See note on Matt. xvi. 3.

55 the south wind. The simoom, from the sultry desert on the south of Judæa. “Heat,” i.e., “scorching heat,” R.V., or drought.

57 even of yourselves. You ought not to need these signs to awaken you to repentance.

58,59. Another simile employed in the Sermon on the Mount; see Matt. v. 25, 26, and notes. Here the point of the exhortation is that the Jews should not lose the short season of grace and salvation.