The Gospel According to Saint Luke
Luke 12
Chapter XII · Vol. IV, pp. 179–181
1 Christ preacheth to his disciples to avoid hypocrisy, and fearfulness in publishing his doctrine: 13 warneth the people to beware of covetousness, by the parable of the rich man who set up greater barns. 22 We must not be over-careful of earthly things, 31 but seek the kingdom of God, 33 give alms, 36 be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he cometh. 41 Christ's ministers are to see to their charge, 49 and look for persecution. 54 The people must take this time of grace, 58 because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation.
1 In the mean time, awhen there were gathered together an innumerable multitude1 of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Bewareb ye of the leaven2 of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
a Ge.49.10. ch.5.1,15; 6.17; 9.11.
1 An innumerable multitude. 'Myriads,' tens of thousands.—C.
b Mat.16.6-12. Mar.8.15-21. 1 Co.5.7,8.
2 See note on Mat. 13. 33.—C.
2 Forc there is nothing covered,3 that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
c Mar.4.22. Mat.10.26. Job 12.22. ch.8.17. Ec.12.14. 1 Co.4.5. 2 Co.5.10. Ro.14.12. Re.20.11,12.
3 See note on Mat. 10. 26.—C.
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 house-tops.4
4 See note on Mat. 10. 27.—C.
4 And I say unto you dmy friends, eBe 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, ghath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
7 But jeven the very hairs of your head are all numbered. kFear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
8 Alsol I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
l Mat.10.32. Ro.10.9,10. 2 Ti.2.12. Ps.119.46. Ac.4.19. Re.2.10; 3.5. 1 Sa.2.30. 1 Co.15.58.
10 Ando whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost5 it shall not be forgiven.
o Mat.12.31,32. Mar.3.28,29. 1 Ti.1.13,15. He.7.25. 1 Jn.1.9. Eze.33.11. ch.23.34. Ac.5.31, with 1 Jn.5.16. He.6.4-8; 10.26-31. 1 Sa.2.25.
5 See note on Mat. 12. 32.—C.
11 Andp when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, qtake ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 Forr the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.6
r Ac.6.10; xxvi. Ps.46.1. Ge.22.14. Ex.4.12,15. 2 Sa.23.2. Is.43.1,2; 41.10; 48.17. Je.1.7. ch.21.14.
6 The brief discourses recorded in this and the previous chapter are nearly all found in Matthew; but not always in the same connection, or in precisely the same words. This illustrates the statement already made, that our Lord repeated his lessons more than once. When teaching his disciples it was necessary he should do so.—P.
13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, sthat he divide the inheritance with me.Cited in WCF 31.5
15 And he said unto them, uTake heed, and beware of 7covetousness: vfor a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.Cited in WLC 142 · HC 110
u ch.21.34; 8.14. 1 Co.5.11. Col.3.5. 1 Ti.6.7-11,17-19. He.13.5. Ep.5.3. 1 Th.2.5. Hab.2.9. Ps.119.36,37. Pr.28.16.
7 Covetousness. The desire of having.—Note, It was a severe censure upon Christians when 'enough' was defined to signify 'a little more.' Truly, the contented man is the only rich man. But who is contented? None but he who has been 'taught of God,' who has 'known Christ Jesus in the fellowship of his sufferings,' who has 'laid up for himself treasures in heaven,' has 'set his affections on things above,' and whose 'life is hid with Christ in God.'—C.
v Mat.6.25. Job 2.4. Ec.4.6; 5.10,12,13,17,19; 6.2. Pr.17.1; 15.16,17; 16.16. Ps.37.16.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man xbrought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 Andy he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits8 and my goods.
* In many countries fruits constitute the principal produce of the land and food of the people; and it is well known that the grape, the fig, and the olive, may, with proper care, be preserved in a wholesome state for several years. In dry countries also, as was the case of Egypt in the days of Joseph, various kinds of grain also may be easily preserved 'for many years'—as, indeed, it may be preserved in any country, though in moist climates the preservation of grain is matter of greater difficulty.—C.
y Ps.17.14. Phi.3.19. Ja.3.15; 4.4,15,16.
8 See note * in first column.
19 And I will say to my soul, zSoul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; atake thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
z Ps.49.18. Job 14.1. Pr.27.1.
a Ec.11.9. Is.22.12,13. 1 Co.15.32. Ja.5.5.
20 Butb God said unto him, Thou fool!9 this night thy soul shall be required of 1thee: cthen whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
b Da.4.31. 1 Th.5.3. Job 21.13.
9 Thou fool—to be so busy thinking about the body, and never sparing a thought for the soul!—C.
1 Or, do they require thy soul.
c Job 20.20-23; 27.8. Ps.39.6; 52.7. Ja.4.14. Je.17.11. Ps.49.7,16,17.
21 Sod is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
d Mat.6.20. ver.33. Hab.2.9. Ho.10.1. 1 Ti.6.17,18. Ja.2.5.
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, eTake no thought2 for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.Cited in HC 26
e Mat.6.25-34. Ps.55.22. 1 Co.7.32. Phi.4.6. 1 Pe.5.7. 1 Ti.6.8. He.13.5.
2 See note on Mat. 6. 25.—C.
24 Considerh 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?
h Mat.6.26. Job 38.41. Ps.104.27,28; 145.15,16; 147.9.
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 jSolomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, kwhich is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, lO ye of little faith?
29 And nseek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.5
n ver.22. Mat.6.25,31. Phi.4.6. 1 Pe.5.7. Ps.55.22.
5 Or, live not in careful suspense.
30 Foro all these things do the nations of the world seek after: pand your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 Butq rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.6
q Mat.6.33. Jn.6.27. 1 Ti.4.8. 1 Ki.3.11-13. Ps.34.9,10; 37.8,19,25,29; 84.11. ch.10.42. 1 Co.3.22. Is.33.16. Ro.8.31,32.
6 And all these things shall be added unto you. Query, How far may a believer assuredly conclude that God will 'add to him' such temporal blessings as are here promised? Just so far as, according to ver. 30, he really has need; but by no means so far as 'the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life' might desire. These the believer must altogether resign, forfeit, and sacrifice, if he would lay hold on eternal life.—C.
33 Sellu that ye have, and give alms: vprovide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
u Mat.19.21. Ac.2.45; 4.34. 2 Co.8.2. ch.16.9.
v Mat.6.19-21. ch.16.9; 18.22. 1 Ti.6.17-19.
36 Andz ye yourselves like unto men7 that wait for their lord, when he will return from thea wedding; that, when bhe cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.Cited in WCF 33.3
z Ge.49.18. Ps.62.1,5; 130.5,6; 123.2.
7 'Like unto men' servants.—C.
a Mat.22.1-13; 25.1-12.
b Mat.24.42-45. Ca.5.2. Re.3.20. Ps.24.7,9.
37 Blessedc 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,8 or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
8 The second watch—according to the Roman computation, now introduced, extended from nine in the evening till twelve (Lu. 12. 38); the third lasted from twelve till three; the fourth from three till six (Mat. 14. 25). All these watches are distinctly enumerated, Mar. 13. 35, under the names of 'even, midnight, cock-crowing, and morning.'—C.
39 Andd 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.
d Mat.24.43. 1 Th.5.2,3. Re.16.15; 3.3. 2 Pe.3.10.
40 Bee ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
e Mat.24.42,44; 25.10,13. Ro.13.11. 1 Co.16.13. 1 Th.5.6. 1 Pe.5.8. Mar.13.33-37. ch.21.34-36. 2 Pe.3.12. Re.16.15; 21.2; 19.7.
42 And the Lord said, hWho 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?Cited in WLC 159
h Mat.24.45; 25.21,23. ch.19.17,19. 1 Co.4.2. Jn.21.15-17. Ac.20.28. Ga.6.10. Ep.4.11-13. He.3.5; 13.17. 2 Ti.2.2.
43 Blessedi is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh, shall find so doing.
A.M. cir. 4036. A.D. cir. 32.
i Re.16.15. 2 Ti.4.7,8. ver.37.
45 But kand if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the men-servants9 and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
k Mat.24.48. 2 Pe.2.4. Eze.12.22-28.
9 The original, 'boys and girls,' is much more expressive than 'men-servants and maid-servants;' for it intimates not only unfaithfulness, riot, and severity, but that unmanly cruelty which assails the weak and unprotected, while it dares not measure itself with the strong.—C.
46 Then 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 owill cut him in sunder,1 and pwill appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
n Mat.24.42,44,50,51. 1 Th.5.2,3. Re.16.15. Jn.5.28,29.
1 Or, cut him off.
p Job 20.29. Ps.11.6. Mat.7.22,23; 8.11,12; 13.42,50.
47 Andq that servant which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.Cited in WLC 151
48 But he that knew not,2 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.Cited in WLC 151
2 How could a man who 'knew not his Lord's will,' be guilty, and liable to any stripes? Simply because there was a fault in being ignorant at all, where there was opportunity of learning. Knowledge is, no doubt, an aggravation of sin; but ignorance itself is a sin, in a land of gospel light.—C.
49 Ir am come to send fire3 on the earth; 4and what will I, if it be already kindled?5
* Allusion is doubtless made to the promise of the Baptist (ch. 3. 16): 'he (Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.' The gift of the Holy Spirit, as a quickening, enlightening, and guiding Spirit, is especially meant. Alford renders the second clause of the verse: 'And what will I? Would that it were already kindled.'—P.
r ver.51-53. Mat.10.34-36; 16.24,25; 24.9,10.
3 The fire of truth, that will test every doctrine, and separate the false from the true; that will test every man's principles, and distinguish sincerity from hypocrisy—the fire of reproof and condemnation, that will either harden the heart of men, because disturbed in their sins, or, by utterly consuming every false hope, will drive them to me for salvation.—C.
4 'And what will I, but that it be (speedily) kindled?'—C.
5 See note * in first column.
51 Supposet ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
t Mat.10.34-36,21. Mi.7.5,6. Je.9.4. Ac.13.44,45; 28.24. Ps.41.9; 55.12,13,14. Jn.13.18; 15.18,19; 16.2. 2 Co.11.26. Ac.iv.-xxv. Jn.9.16; 10.19.
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, uWhen ye see a cloud rise out of the west,8 straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
u Mat.16.2. Job 36.27-33. 1 Ki.18.44.
8 When ye see the cloud rise out of the west. The Mediterranean lay on the west of Judea, and when a well-known form of cloud arose in the previously bright sky, it furnished a certain indication of approaching rain.—C.
55 And vwhen ye see the south wind9 blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
v Job 37.17.
9 The south wind, blowing over the hot countries, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Arabia, would naturally bring sultry (literally, 'burning') weather.—Note, How inconsistent is the conduct of the worldly man!—From self-interest an accurate observer, a diligent student, a very prophet in natural things, yet negligent, careless, and blind to those that are spiritual and eternal!—C.
56 Yex hypocrites! ye can discern the face of the sky, and of the earth: but how is it that ye do not discern ythis time?
x Mat.16.3. Ro.1.21,22. 1 Co.1.19-24,26,27. Mat.11.25; 24.32. Jn.4.35.
y Ga.4.4. ch.19.42,44. Is.63.4; 61.2. Da.9.24-26. Mal.3.1; 4.2. Hag.2.7. ch.19.42,44.
57 Yea,z and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
z 1 Co.11.14. De.4.29; 32.29. Ps.94.8.
58 Whena 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.1
a Mat.5.23-26. Ge.32.3-20. 1 Sa.25.28. Pr.25.8,9, with Ps.32.6. 2 Co.6.2. He.3.7-13. ch.14.31,32. Is.55.6. Job 22.21. Jn.5.22.
A.M. cir. 4036. A.D. cir. 32.
1 See note on Mat. 5.26.—C.
59 I tell thee, bthou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last 2mite.3
b Mat.5.26. Pr.25.8, with Mat.25.41,46. 2 Th.1.9.
2 Not quite the tenth part of a farthing, Mar.12.42.
3 See note on Mar. 12.42.—C.
Notes
Ver. 29. Neither be ye of doubtful mind. The original seems to refer to those who are superstitiously guided by meteors, as both individuals and nations frequently are—any regard to which unmeaning portents (of superstition begotten, and by superstition expounded) God expressly forbids. See Je. 10. 2. A literal translation would stand thus:—'Neither be ye meteorized,' carried about as clouds 'by every wind of doctrine,' tossed up and down between hope and fear of the means of support. C.
Ver. 32. Even nominal Christians are still a 'little flock'—only about 175,500,000; while 482,000,000 are heathens, 140,000,000 Mohammedans, and 2,500,000 Jews. But of these 175,500,000 nominal Christians, how (comparatively) few can even charity reckon as real followers of the Lamb! Yet, however few, it is their Father's good-will to prevent them now, by grace, from following a multitude to do evil, and to make them the founders of that spiritual kingdom that shall yet obtain dominion over all the earth. C.
Ver. 35. Let your loins be girded about. This direction is generally considered an allusion to the order of the passover, Ex. 12. 11, and to the long, flowing, and entangling robes of the Orientals, which, however graceful in domestic use, required to be bound around the loins before a journey. But on considering ver. 37, where the master, it is said, 'will gird himself,' and recollecting the act of our Lord, when he 'girded himself with a towel,' Jn. 13. 4, it would seem rather to refer to the preparation of servants to wait at their master's table, than to the preparation of travellers to set out upon a journey. C.
Ver. 51. Our Lord was not the author, but the innocent occasion of division. The division was produced by the perversity of men, who loved darkness rather than the light, and therefore hated the light, and persecuted every one that followed it. C.
**Reflections.—**How absurd is hypocrisy, seeing God is omniscient, and will in the last judgment publicly expose our whole conduct! It is highly unbecoming to distrust his care for, and assistance of, us in every duty, or to fear men more than him; and infinitely dangerous not to prefer the care of our soul to everything else. There is great need of watchfulness and fidelity in religion, since Christ will certainly own or reject us in the other world as we do him in this. And with humble confidence may we commit our souls to that Saviour who eagerly desired to undergo the worst of deaths for the salvation of sinners; and to that heavenly Father whose kind providence extends to the meanest creature, and has prepared for us an everlasting kingdom. Surely this is worthy to be sought for as our principal treasure, and prepared for as our inexpressible happiness. Why should we set our hearts on worldly portions, which only procure envy and contention; or which, by their abundant increase, precipitate their owners into everlasting perdition? And it is base and shameful when ministers neglect their infinitely important work, and perplex their minds, or waste their time, in civil affairs. Yea, the more light men sin against, the greater will be their punishment. Alas that, while Jesus Christ died to reconcile men to God, and to one another, men's lusts, passions, and prejudices should make his conciliating gospel an occasion of strife and confusion! But if we be persecuted for a prudent and disinterested adherence to truth, he will enable us to defend our conduct. How perversely men are set against the Saviour, when they hate and persecute their nearest relations for his sake! And many are very prudent with respect to temporal, and fools with respect to spiritual and eternal concerns. Sinners are in unceasing danger of falling into the hand of God's displeasure. And if, in their present day of grace, they do not, through faith, obtain reconciliation with him, unavoidable, unsupportable, and endless must be their ruin. Alas, who amongst us can abide with deep anguish, or dwell with everlasting remorse!
Measures in square brackets are modern equivalents added for this edition. They are not in the King James text or in Brown’s notes. They use common scholarly estimates: a cubit is about 45.7 cm (18 in), a shekel about 11.4 g (0.4 oz), an ephah about 22 litres. Money values give the worth of the silver or gold at spot prices on 28 October 2026, not what the sum would buy in the ancient world.