Luke 12:1-12
Luke 12:1-12. THE DUTY OF BOLD SINCERITY AND TRUST IN GOD... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 12:1-12. THE DUTY OF BOLD SINCERITY AND TRUST IN GOD... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΝ ΟἿΣ ἘΠΙΣΥΝΑΧΘΕΙΣΩ͂Ν ΤΩ͂Ν ΜΥΡΙΆΔΩΝ ΤΟΥ͂ ὌΧΛΟΥ. ‘_Meanwhile_ (i.e. during the troubled scene inside the Pharisee’s house), when the myriads of the multitude had suddenly assembled.’ It is evident that the noise of this disgraceful attack on our Lord had been heard. This scene was as it were the wat... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPS. Luke 9:51 to Luke 18:31 This section forms a great episode in St Luke, which may be called the departure for the final conflict, and is identical with the journey (probably to the Feast of the Dedication, John 10:22) which is partially touched upon in Matthew 18:1 to Matthew 20:16 and Mark 10... [ Continue Reading ]
ΟΥ̓ΔῈΝ ΔΈ. Not “_for_ nothing” as in A. V[261]; ‘but’ (unless with א we omit the δὲ altogether). This whole discourse, in its vividness and compression, and the apparent abruptness of some of its causal connexions indicates the tumult of emotion through which our Lord had been passing in the last tr... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΝΘ' ὯΝ. ‘_Wherefore_,’ comp. ἀντὶ τούτου, ‘therefore,’ Ephesians 5:31; it means ‘because’ in Luke 1:20; Luke 19:44. ὍΣΑ ἘΝ ΤΗ͂Ι ΣΚΟΤΊΑΙ ΕἼΠΑΤΕ. The ἐν σκοτίᾳ here means ‘in obscurity.’ The _application_ of the similar language in Matthew 10:26; Mark 4:22, is different. See Luke 8:17. ἘΝ ΤΟΙ͂Σ ΤΑΜΕ... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΠΟΚΤΕΝΝΌΝΤΩΝ. Most MSS. La[248] Ti[249] See note. [248] La. Lachmann. [249] Ti. Tischendorf. 4. ΤΟΙ͂Σ ΦΊΛΟΙΣ ΜΟΥ. John 15:14-15, “Henceforth I call you not servants … but _friends_.” The term comes the more naturally and pathetically because Jesus had just been in the thick of enemies. ΜῊ ΦΟΒΗΘΗ... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΊΝΑ ΦΟΒΗΘΗ͂ΤΕ. The indirect interrogative is sometimes expressed by the subjunctive, as in Matthew 8:20, οὐκ ἔχει ποῦ κλίνῃ: Romans 8:26, οὐκ οἴδαμεν τί προσευξώμεθα. Comp. Luke 19:48; Luke 22:2. ΦΟΒΉΘΗΤΕ ΤῸΝ ΜΕΤᾺ ΤῸ�, Κ.Τ.Λ. Many commentators have understood this expression of the devil, and one o... [ Continue Reading ]
ΟΥ̓ΧῚ ΠΈΝΤΕ ΣΤΡΟΥΘΊΑ ΠΩΛΟΥ͂ΝΤΑΙ�; St Matthew says ‘_two_ sparrows for _one_ farthing.’ The little birds were sold in the markets strung together, or on skewers. The varying expressions of St Matthew and St Luke lead us to the interesting fact that if five were bought _one was thrown in_, which still... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑῚ ΑἹ ΤΡΊΧΕΣ ΤΗ͂Σ ΚΕΦΑΛΗ͂Σ ὙΜΩ͂Ν. See Luke 21:18; Acts 27:34; and in the O. T. 1 Samuel 14:45; 1 Kings 1:52. ΔΙΑΦΈΡΕΤΕ. The verb means (1) to differ; (2) to transcend. Matthew 12:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
ὉΜΟΛΟΓΉΣΗΙ ἘΝ ἘΜΟΊ. We have the same idiom in Matthew 10:32. It resembles a Hebrew phrase. Psalms 32:5. ἜΜΠΡΟΣΘΕΝ ΤΩ͂Ν�. Compare Luke 9:26. “Before my Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 10:32.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΦΕΘΉΣΕΤΑΙ ΑΥ̓ΤΩ͂Ι. Thus our Lord prayed even for His murderers. This large rich promise is even further amplified in Matthew 12:31. It is the sign of a dispensation different from that of Moses, Leviticus 24:16. ΤΩ͂Ι ΔῈ ΕἸΣ ΤῸ ἍΓΙΟΝ ΠΝΕΥ͂ΜΑ ΒΛΑΣΦΗΜΉΣΑΝΤΙ. The other passages in which mention is made... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἢ ΤΊ. אBL La[250] Ti[251] W.H[252] It is omitted in D. [250] La. Lachmann. [251] Ti. Tischendorf. [252] W.H. Westcott and Hort. 11. ἘΠῚ ΤᾺΣ ΣΥΝΑΓΩΓᾺΣ ΚΑῚ ΤᾺΣ�. The “synagogues” were the small Jewish tribunals of synagogue officials in every town, which had the power of inflicting scourging for min... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤῸ … ἍΓΙΟΝ ΠΝΕΥ͂ΜΑ ΔΙΔΆΞΕΙ ὙΜΑ͂Σ. A similar promise had been given to Moses, Exodus 4:12-15; see Luke 21:15. For fulfilments of the promise, see Acts 6:8; Acts 6:10 (St Stephen); 2 Timothy 4:17 (St Paul), &c. ΑΥ̓ΤΗ͂Ι ΤΗ͂Ι ὭΡΑΙ. Not “in the same hour” (as in A.V[264]) but “in that very hour.” This i... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΙΣ ἘΚ ΤΟΥ͂ ὌΧΛΟΥ. AD La[253] [253] La. Lachmann. 13. ΔΙΔΆΣΚΑΛΕ, ΕἸΠῈ ΤΩ͂Ι�. This was the most foolish and unwarrantable interpellation ever made to our Lord. The few words at once reveal to us an egotist incapable of caring for anything but his own selfishness. ΜΕΡΊΣΑΣΘΑΙ ΜΕΤ' ἘΜΟΥ͂ ΤῊΝ ΚΛΗΡΟΝΟΜ... [ Continue Reading ]
EGOTISM REBUKED. THE RICH FOOL... [ Continue Reading ]
ἌΝΘΡΩΠΕ. The word is sternly repressive. Comp. Romans 2:1; Romans 9:20. ΤΊΣ ΜΕ ΚΑΤΈΣΤΗΣΕΝ ΚΡΙΤΉΝ; “My kingdom is not of this world,” John 18:36. Ἢ ΜΕΡΙΣΤΉΝ. ‘Umpire, arbitrator.’ There is an evident allusion to Exodus 2:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΠῸ ΠΆΣΗΣ ΠΛΕΟΝΕΞΊΑΣ. אABD edd. 15. ΦΥΛΆΣΣΕΣΘΕ�. ‘_Guard yourselves from all covetousness_.’ The word is more positive than “beware of” (βλέπετε, προσέχετε). The right reading is ‘of _all_ covetousness,’ i.e. not only beware of avarice, but also of selfish possession. Both the O. and N.T. abound wi... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕΥ̓ΦΌΡΗΣΕΝ. A rare word (here only in the N. T.) and perhaps derived by St Luke from medical writings in which it occurs. Ἡ ΧΏΡΑ. ‘The estate.’ In this parable (peculiar to St Luke) our Lord evidently referred mentally to the story of Nabal, whose name means ‘Fool’ or ‘Churl’ (1 Samuel 25). Observe... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑΡΠΟΎΣ. אA La[254] Ti[255] [254] La. Lachmann. [255] Ti. Tischendorf. 17. ΤΊ ΠΟΙΉΣΩ; “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase,” Ecclesiastes 5:10. ΤΟῪΣ ΚΑΡΠΟΎΣ ΜΟΥ. So “_my_ barns,” “_my_ fruits and _my_ goods,” and “_my_ soul.” This t... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑΘΕΛΩ͂. In Attic the future of αἰρέω is αἱρήσω. The fut. ἑλῶ is late. ἈΠΟΘΉΚΑΣ. ‘Storehouses’ (not only for corn). He never thought of the admonition of the Son of Sirach, “Shut up _alms_ in thy storehouses,” Sir 29:12. ΤᾺ ΓΕΝΉΜΑΤΆ ΜΟΥ. Not the same word as before. Rather, ‘my produce.’ ΤᾺ�. Suc... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΡΩ͂ ΤΗ͂Ι ΨΥΧΗ͂Ι ΜΟΥ. “What folly! Had thy soul been a sty, what else couldst thou have promised to it? Art thou so bestial, so ignorant of the soul’s goods, that thou pledgest it the foods of the flesh? And dost thou convey to thy _soul_, the things which the draught receiveth?” St Basil. ΕἸΣ ἜΤΗ... [ Continue Reading ]
ἌΦΡΩΝ. Literally, ‘_Senseless_!’ 1 Corinthians 15:36. Comp. Luke 11:40. The nom. is used for the voc., comp. Luke 8:54. ΤΑΎΤΗΙ ΤΗ͂Ι ΝΥΚΤΊ. Compare the death of Nabal, 1 Samuel 25:36. ΤῊΝ ΨΥΧΉΝ ΣΟΥ�. ‘They demand thy soul of thee.’ Who are ‘they’? Some say God (Job 27:8), or His death-angels (Job 33... [ Continue Reading ]
ΜῊ … ΠΛΟΥΤΩ͂Ν. ‘If he is not rich.’ We are often taught elsewhere in Scripture in what way we can be rich toward God. Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 2:5. There is a close parallel to this passage in Sir 11:18-19, “There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this is the por... [ Continue Reading ]
ΜῊ ΜΕΡΙΜΝΑ͂ΤΕ. This rendering is _now_ unfortunate, since it might be abused to encourage an _immoral_ carelessness (1 Timothy 5:8). But in the 17th century _thought_ was used for _care_ (1 Samuel 9:5). See _The Bible Word-Book_, s.v. Rather, ‘Be not anxious about.’ Vulg[265] _ne solliciti sitis_. “... [ Continue Reading ]
LESSONS OF TRUSTFULNESS (22–32), ALMSGIVING (33, 34), AND FAITHFUL WATCHFULNESS (35–48). THE SEARCHING EFFECT OF CHRIST’S WORK (49–53)... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἡ ΨΥΧῊ ΠΛΕΙ͂ΌΝ ἘΣΤΙΝ ΤΗ͂Σ ΤΡΟΦΗ͂Σ.… And the spirit is more than either the body, or the natural life.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΟῪΣ ΚΌΡΑΚΑΣ. More specific, and therefore more poetic, than “the fowls” in St Matthew. Perhaps there is a reference to Job 38:41; Psalms 145:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΠῚ ΤῊΝ ἩΛΙΚΊΑΝ ΑΥ̓ΤΟΥ͂. Some would here render the word ἡλικία, ‘age’ (comp. Psalms 39:5); but “stature” is probably right.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἸ … ΟΥ̓ΔῈ ἘΛΆΧΙΣΤΟΝ. The negative does not depend on the εἰ (in which case μηδὲ would be required), but reverses the meaning of δύνασθε—‘since you _are unable_.’ Comp. John 3:12; Romans 11:21, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΟΥ̓ ΚΟΠΙΑ͂Ι, ΟΥ̓ΔῈ ΝΉΘΕΙ. אABL La[256] W.H[257] The reading of D is πῶς οὔτε νήθει οὔτε ὑφαίνει. [256] La. Lachmann. [257] W.H. Westcott and Hort. 27. ΤᾺ ΚΡΊΝΑ. The term is perfectly general. The scarlet anemones (_anemone coronaria_), or the ‘Hulêh lilies’ growing around may have given point to t... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΝ�. ‘_If, in the field, God so clothes_,’ &c. The common Scripture symbol for evanescence, Isaiah 40:6; 1 Peter 1:24; James 1:10-11. ΕἸΣ ΚΛΊΒΑΝΟΝ ΒΑΛΛΌΜΕΝΟΝ. In the absence of wood grass is used to heat ovens in the East. ἈΜΦΙΈΖΕΙ. This is the reading of D. ἀμφιάζει, B.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΜῊ ΜΕΤΕΩΡΊΖΕΣΘΕ. Here alone in the N.T. Literally, ‘Do not toss about like boats in the offing,’—a metaphor for _suspense_. Cicero says, “So I am in suspense (μετέωρος) and entangled in great perplexities.” _Ad Att._ XV. 14. It is like the Latin _fluctuo_ and _fluito_.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤᾺ ἜΘΝΗ ΤΟΥ͂ ΚΌΣΜΟΥ. Christians have not the same excuse that the heathen have for over-anxiety about transient needs.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤῸ ΜΙΚΡῸΝ ΠΟΊΜΝΙΟΝ. The address was primarily to disciples, Luke 12:1. For the metaphor, see Psalms 23:1; Isaiah 40:11; Matthew 26:31; John 10:12-16. μικρὸν is not pleonastic, for ποίμνιον is not used as a diminutive. ΤῊΝ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΊΑΝ. How much more shall He give you _bread_.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΩΛΉΣΑΤΕ ΤᾺ ὙΠΆΡΧΟΝΤΑ ὙΜΩ͂Ν. This command was taken very literally by the early Church, Acts 2:44-45. Comp. Luke 16:9; Matthew 19:21. ΒΑΛΛΆΝΤΙΑ. See on Luke 10:4. ΔΙΑΦΘΕΊΡΕΙ. ‘_Destroyeth_.’ Vulg[266] _corrumpit_, whence the A.V[267] “corrupteth.” [266] Vulg. Vulgate. [267] A.V. Authorised Versio... [ Continue Reading ]
ἜΣΤΩΣΑΝ ὙΜΩ͂Ν ΑἹ ὈΣΦΎΕΣ ΠΕΡΙΕΖΩΣΜΈΝΑΙ. Without a girdle active service is impossible in the loose flowing dress of the East (Exodus 12:11; 1 Kings 18:46); and spiritually, for the Christian amid worldly entanglements, 1 Peter 1:13; Ephesians 6:14. Comp. the Latin _praecincti_, and Milton’s “His habi... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΝΘΡΏΠΟΙΣ. Slaves, Revelation 18:13. ΠΌΤΕ�. The word here used is very rare, occurring only in Philippians 1:23; 2 Timothy 4:6. Here there is a variation from the commoner metaphor of _going to_ the wedding-feast.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΕΡΙΖΏΣΕΤΑΙ ΚΑῚ�. Doubtless some of the Apostles must have recalled these words when Jesus washed their feet. To Roman readers the words would recall the customs of their Saturnalia when slaves were waited on by their masters. ΠΑΡΕΛΘῺΝ ΔΙΑΚΟΝΉΣΕΙ ΑΥ̓ΤΟΙ͂Σ. ‘He will draw near and serve them.’ The πα... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΝ ΤΗ͂Ι ΔΕΥΤΈΡΑΙ, ΚἊΝ ἘΝ ΤΗ͂Ι ΤΡΊΤΗΙ ΦΥΛΑΚΗ͂Ι ἜΛΘΗΙ. It is not clear, nor very important, whether St Luke here alludes to the _three_ watches of the Jews and Greeks (Lamentations 2:19; Judges 7:19; Exodus 14:24) or to the _four_ of the Romans (Jerome, Ep. CXL.). But it _is_ very important to observe... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟ … ΓΙΝΏΣΚΕΤΕ. ‘This ye know.’ Ὁ ΟἸΚΟΔΕΣΠΌΤΗΣ. “Goodman” is an archaic expression for the master of the house, the _paterfamilias_. It is said to be a corruption of the Saxon _gumman_, ‘a man,’ _goodwife_ being formed from it by false analogy. ΟΥ̓Κ ἊΝ�. ‘_He would not have left his house to b... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἾΠΕΝ ΔῈ ΑΥ̓ΤΩ͂Ι Ὁ ΠΈΤΡΟΣ. Peter’s intercourse with his Lord seems to have been peculiarly frank and fearless, in accordance with his character. In the immaturity of the disciples we may suppose that the blessing on the faithful servants mainly prompted his question. But if so the lesson of our Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ ΚΎΡΙΟΣ. St Luke uses this later designation of our Lord about 12 times. ΤΊΣ ἌΡΑ ἘΣΤῚΝ Ὁ ΠΙΣΤῸΣ ΟἸΚΟΝΌΜΟΣ Ὁ ΦΡΌΝΙΜΟΣ; Our Lord, in the deeply instructive method which He often adopted, did not answer the question, but taught the only lesson which was needful for the questioner. St Paul perhaps ref... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΠῚ ΠΑ͂ΣΙΝ ΤΟΙ͂Σ ὙΠΆΡΧΟΥΣΙΝ ΑΥ̓ΤΟΥ͂. See Luke 22:29-30.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἼΠΗΙ … ἘΝ ΤΗ͂Ι ΚΑΡΔΊΑΙ ΑΥ̓ΤΟΥ͂, ΧΡΟΝΊΖΕΙ Ὁ ΚΎΡΙΌΣ ΜΟΥ ἜΡΧΕΣΘΑΙ. Ecclesiastes 8:11. It was not long before the temptation to use this language arose with fatal results, 2 Peter 3:8-9.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΔΙΧΟΤΟΜΉΣΕΙ ΑΥ̓ΤΌΝ. This was literally a punishment prevalent among some ancient nations, 2 Samuel 12:31; 1 Chronicles 20:3; Daniel 2:5; Herod. Luke 7:39. Comp. Hebrews 11:37 (the legendary martyrdom of Isaiah) and Susannah 55–59. Hence Bengel says, “Qui cor _divisum_ habet, _dividetur_.” But becaus... [ Continue Reading ]
ΜῊ ἙΤΟΙΜΆΣΑΣ. The μὴ is used because it gives the supposed _reason_ for the slave’s punishment. Exceptional privileges if rejected involve exceptional guilt and punishment, Luke 10:13; James 4:17; 2 Peter 2:21. δαρήσεται πολλάς. _Sub._ πληγάς. Similarly we find in Plato, μαστιγοῦσθαι πληγάς. Comp.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ ΔῈ ΜῊ ΓΝΟΎΣ. He that knew not _fully_ (Jonah 4:11; 1 Timothy 1:13), for there is no such thing as absolute moral ignorance (Romans 1:20; Romans 2:14-15). ΔΑΡΉΣΕΤΑΙ ὈΛΊΓΑΣ. A most important passage, as alone clearly stating that punishment shall be _proportional_ to sin, and that there shall be a... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΥ͂Ρ ἮΛΘΟΝ ΒΑΛΕΙ͂Ν ἘΠῚ ΤῊΝ ΓΗ͂Ν. ‘_I came to cast fire on the earth_.’ The “_send fire_” of the A.V[269] is from the Vulg[270] _mittere_. St John had preached, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire,” and that “He should burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” The metaphor is pro... [ Continue Reading ]
ΒΆΠΤΙΣΜΑ … ΒΑΠΤΙΣΘΗ͂ΝΑΙ. Matthew 20:22; Romans 6:3. ΠΩ͂Σ ΣΥΝΈΧΟΜΑΙ. Comp. συνεχομένη πυρετῷ, Luke 4:38. O how heavy is the burden that rests upon me; how vast are the obstacles through which I have to press onwards. It is the same spirit that spoke in, “What thou doest, _do quickly_.” The word is f... [ Continue Reading ]
ΔΟΚΕΙ͂ΤΕ. As they were far too much inclined to suppose, Luke 19:11. ὍΤΙ ΕἸΡΉΝΗΝ ΠΑΡΕΓΕΝΌΜΗΝ ΔΟΥ͂ΝΑΙ ἘΝ ΤΗ͂Ι ΓΗ͂Ι. It is only in His _ultimate_ kingdom that Christ will be fully the Prince of Peace, as was understood even by Simeon, Luke 2:34-35; see too John 9:39. ΟΥ̓ΧῚ … ἈΛΛ' Ἢ ΔΙΑΜΕΡΙΣΜΌΝ. “Ther... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΑΤῊΡ ἘΠῚ ΥἹΩ͂Ι. The verse seems to be a distinct allusion to Micah 7:6. There is in the Greek a delicate change of phrase which can hardly be reproduced in English. It is ‘father _against son_’ (ἐπὶ υἱῷ), where the preposition takes _the dative_; but in ‘mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law’ ... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΠῚ ΔΥΣΜΩ͂Ν. אBL Ti[258] W.H[259] [258] Ti. Tischendorf. [259] W.H. Westcott and Hort. 54. ΤΟΙ͂Σ ὌΧΛΟΙΣ. ‘To the multitudes,’ whom He now addresses, having finished the lessons which were most necessary for His timid and discouraged disciples. ΝΕΦΈΛΗΝ. Perhaps the reading may be τὴν ν. (comp. Mat... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, AND RESULTANT DUTY... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑΎΣΩΝ. ‘A simoom,’ or scorching wind, because ‘the south wind’ in Palestine would blow from the desert. Matthew 20:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
ὙΠΟΚΡΙΤΑΊ. Their insincerity consisted in the fact that though the signs of the Kingdom were equally plain they _would_ not see them, and pretended not to see them. The Prophets had long ago pointed them out. Among them were, miracles (Isaiah 35:4-6); the political condition (Genesis 49:10); the pre... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑῚ�' ἙΑΥΤΩ͂Ν. I.e. without the necessity for _my_ thus pointing out to you facts which are so plain. ΤῸ ΔΊΚΑΙΟΝ. What is your duty to do under circumstances so imminent?... [ Continue Reading ]
ὩΣ ΓᾺΡ ὙΠΆΓΕΙΣ. ‘For as thou goest.’ Our translators omitted the ‘for’ probably because they could not see the connexion. It seems however to be this. ‘For _this_ is your clear duty,—to reconcile yourselves with God, as you would with one whom you had alienated, before the otherwise inevitable conse... [ Continue Reading ]
ἝΩΣ ΚΑῚ ΤῸ ἜΣΧΑΤΟΝ ΛΕΠΤῸΝ�. Λεπτὸν (_minutum_) means ‘a mite’ the smallest of all coins, Mark 12:42. If it be asked, ‘Can this debt ever be paid?’ the answer of course is, as far as _the parable_ is concerned, ‘It depends entirely on whether the debt be great or small.’ As far as the _application_ o... [ Continue Reading ]