IN THE MEANTIME (εν οις). It is a classic idiom to start a sentence or even a paragraph as here with a relative, "in which things or circumstances," without any expressed antecedent other than the incidents in Luke 11:53. In Luke 12:3 Luke actually begins the sentence with two relatives ανθ' ων ο... [ Continue Reading ]
COVERED UP (συγκεκαλυμμενον εστιν). Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of συγκαλυπτω, an old verb, but here only in the N.T., to cover up on all sides and so completely. Verses Luke 12:2-9 here are parallel with Matthew 10:26-33 spoken to the Twelve on their tour of Galilee, illustrating aga... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE INNER CHAMBERS (εν τοις ταμειοις). Old form ταμιειον, a store chamber (Luke 12:24), secret room (Matthew 6:6; Luke 12:3).... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO YOU MY FRIENDS (υμιν τοις φιλοις). As opposed to the Pharisees and lawyers in Luke 11:43; Luke 11:46; Luke 11:53.BE NOT AFRAID OF (μη φοβηθητε απο). First aorist passive subjunctive with μη, ingressive aorist, do not become afraid of, with απο and the ablative like the Hebrew _min_ and the... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM YE SHALL FEAR (τινα φοβηθητε). First aorist passive subjunctive deliberative retained in the indirect question. Τινα is the accusative, the direct object of this transitive passive verb (note απο in verse Luke 12:4).FEAR HIM WHO (φοβηθητε τον). First aorist passive imperative, differing fr... [ Continue Reading ]
IS FORGOTTEN (εστιν επιλελησμενον). Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of επιλανθανομα, common verb to forget. See Matthew 10:29 for a different construction.... [ Continue Reading ]
NUMBERED (ηριθμηντα). Perfect passive indicative. Periphrastic form in Matthew 10:30 which see for details about sparrows, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERYONE WHO SHALL CONFESS ME (πας ος αν ομολογησε εν εμο). Just like Matthew 10:32 except the use of αν here which adds nothing. The Hebraistic use of εν after ομολογεω both here and in Matthew is admitted by even Moulton (_Prolegomena_, p. 104).THE SON OF MAN (ο υιος του ανθρωπου). Here Matth... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL BE DENIED (απαρνηθησετα). First future passive of the compound verb απαρνεομα. Here Matthew 10:33 has αρνησομα simply. Instead of "in the presence of the angels of God" (εμπροσθεν των αγγελων του θεου) Matthew 10:33 has "before my Father who is in heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT UNTO HIM THAT BLASPHEMETH AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (τω δε εις το αγιον πνευμα βλασφημησαντ). This unpardonable sin is given by Mark 3:28; Matthew 12:31 immediately after the charge that Jesus was in league with Beelzebub. Luke here separates it from the same charge made in Judea (Luke 11:15-20... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT ANXIOUS (μη μεριμνησητε). First aorist active subjunctive with μη in prohibition. Do not become anxious. See a similar command to the Twelve on their Galilean tour (Matthew 10:19) and in the great discourse on the Mount of Olives at the end (Mark 13:11; Luke 21:14), given twice by Luke as... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT YE OUGHT TO SAY (α δε ειπειν). Literally, what things it is necessary (δε) to say. This is no excuse for neglect in pulpit preparation. It is simply a word for courage in a crisis to play the man for Christ and to trust the issue with God without fear.... [ Continue Reading ]
BID MY BROTHER (ειπε τω αδελφω μου). This volunteer from the crowd draws attention to the multitude (verses Luke 12:13-21). He does not ask for arbitration and there is no evidence that his brother was willing for that. He wants a decision by Jesus against his brother. The law (Deuteronomy 21:17)... [ Continue Reading ]
A JUDGE OR A DIVIDER (κριτην η μεριστην). Jesus repudiates the position of judge or arbiter in this family fuss. The language reminds one of Exodus 2:14. Jesus is rendering unto Caesar the things of Caesar (Luke 20:25) and shows that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). The word for div... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM ALL COVETOUSNESS (απο πασης πλεονεξιας). Ablative case. From every kind of greedy desire for more (πλεον, more, εξια, from εχω, to have) an old word which we have robbed of its sinful aspects and refined to mean business thrift.IN THE ABUNDANCE OF THE THINGS WHICH HE POSSESSETH (εν τω περι... [ Continue Reading ]
A PARABLE UNTO THEM (παραβολην προς αυτους). The multitude of verses Luke 12:13; Luke 12:15. A short and pungent parable suggested by the covetousness of the man of verse Luke 12:13.BROUGHT FORTH PLENTIFULLY (ευφορησεν). Late word from ευφορος (bearing well), in medical writers and Josephus, he... [ Continue Reading ]
REASONED WITHIN HIMSELF (διελογιζετο εν αυτω). Imperfect middle, picturing his continued cogitations over his perplexity.WHERE TO BESTOW (που συναξω). Future indicative deliberative, where I shall gather together.MY FRUITS (τους καρπους μου). So it is with the rich fool: my fruits, my barns,... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PULL DOWN (καθελω). Future active of καθαιρεω, an old verb, the usual future being καθαιρησω. This second form from the second aorist καθειλον (from obsolete ελω) like αφελε in Revelation 22:19.MY BARNS (μου τας αποθηκας). From αποτιθημ, to lay by, to treasure. So a granary or storehouse,... [ Continue Reading ]
LAID UP FOR MANY YEARS (κειμενα εις ετη πολλα). Not in D and some other Latin MSS. The man's apostrophe to his "soul" (ψυχη) is thoroughly Epicurean, for his soul feeds on his goods. The asyndeton here (take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry) shows his eagerness. Note difference in tenses (αναπαυο... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU FOOLISH ONE (αφρων). Fool, for lack of sense (α privative and φρην, sense) as in Luke 11:40; 2 Corinthians 11:19. Old word, used by Socrates in Xenophon. Nominative form as vocative.IS THY SOUL REQUIRED OF THEE (την ψυχην σου αιτουσιν απο σου). Plural active present, not passive: "They are... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT RICH TOWARD GOD (μη εις θεον πλουτων). The only wealth that matters and that lasts. Cf. Luke 16:9; Matthew 6:19. Some MSS. do not have this verse. Westcott and Hort bracket it.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO HIS DISCIPLES (προς τους μαθητας αυτου). So Jesus turns from the crowd to the disciples (verses Luke 12:22-40, when Peter interrupts the discourse). From here to the end of the chapter Luke gives material that appears in Matthew, but not in one connection as here. In Matthew part of it is in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RAVENS (τους κορακας). Nowhere else in the N.T. The name includes the whole crow group of birds (rooks and jackdaws). Like the vultures they are scavengers. Matthew 6:26 has simply "the birds" (τα πετεινα).STORECHAMBER (tameion). Not in Matthew 6:26. Means secret chamber in Luke 12:3.OF HOW... [ Continue Reading ]
A CUBIT (πηχυν). Matthew 6:27 has πηχυν ενα (one cubit, though ενα is sometimes merely the indefinite article.STATURE (ηλικιαν) as in Matthew, which see.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT ABLE TO DO EVEN THAT WHICH IS LEAST (ουδε ελαχιστον δυνασθε). Negative ουδε in the condition of the first class. Elative superlative, very small. This verse not in Matthew and omitted in D. Verse Luke 12:27 as in Matthew 6:28, save that the verbs for toil and spin are plural in Matthew and si... [ Continue Reading ]
CLOTHE (αμφιαζε). Late Greek verb in the _Koine_ (papyri) for the older form αμφιεννυμ (Matthew 6:30). See Matthew for discussion of details. Matthew has "the grass of the field" instead of "the grass in the field" as here.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEK NOT YE (υμεις μη ζητειτε). Note emphatic position of "ye" (υμεις). Stop seeking (μη and present imperative active). Matthew 6:31 has: "Do not become anxious" (μη μεριμνησητε), μη and ingressive subjunctive occur as direct questions (What are we to eat? What are we to drink? What are we to pu... [ Continue Reading ]
See Matthew 6:33 for this verse. Luke does not have "first" nor "his righteousness" nor "all.... [ Continue Reading ]
LITTLE FLOCK (το μικρον ποιμνιον). Vocative with the article as used in Hebrew and often in the _Koine_ and so in the N.T. See both πατερ and ο πατηρ in the vocative in Luke 10:21. See Robertson, _Grammar_, pp. 465f. Ποιμνιον (flock) is a contraction from ποιμενιον from ποιμην (shepherd) instead... [ Continue Reading ]
SELL THAT YE HAVE (Πωλησατε τα υπαρχοντα υμων). Not in Matthew. Did Jesus mean this literally and always? Luke has been charged with Ebionism, but Jesus does not condemn property as inherently sinful. "The attempt to keep the letter of the rule here given (Acts 2:44; Acts 2:45) had disastrous effe... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL BE (εστα). Last word in the sentence in Luke. Otherwise like Matthew 6:21. See 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 for similar principle.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE GIRDED ABOUT (εστωσαν περιεζωσμενα). Periphrastic perfect passive imperative third plural of the verb περιζωννυμ or περιζωννυω (later form), an old verb, to gird around, to fasten the garments with a girdle. The long garments of the orientals made speed difficult. It was important to use the g... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE SHALL RETURN FROM THE MARRIAGE FEAST (ποτε αναλυση εκ των γαμων). The interrogative conjunction ποτε and the deliberative aorist subjunctive retained in the indirect question. The verb αναλυω, very common Greek verb, but only twice in the N.T. (here and Philippians 1:23). The figure is br... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL GIRD HIMSELF (περιζωσετα). Direct future middle. Jesus did this (John 13:4), not out of gratitude, but to give the apostles an object lesson in humility. See the usual course in Luke 17:7-10 with also the direct middle (verse Luke 12:8) of περισωννυω.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF (κ'αν = κα + εαν). Repeated. Ελθη and ευρη, both second aorist subjunctive with εαν, condition of the third class, undetermined, but with prospect of being determined.BLESSED (μακαριο). Beatitude here as in verse Luke 12:37.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIEF (ο κλεπτης). The change here almost makes a new parable to illustrate the other, the parable of the housebreaking (verses Luke 12:39; Luke 12:40) to illustrate the parable of the waiting servants (Luke 12:35-38). This same language appears in Matthew 24:43. "The Master returning from a w... [ Continue Reading ]
BE YE (γινεσθε). Present middle imperative, keep on becoming.COMETH (ερχετα). Futuristic present indicative. See Matthew 24:43-51 for details in the comparison with Luke.... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER SAID (Ειπεν δε ο Πετρος). This whole paragraph from verse Luke 12:22-40 had been addressed directly to the disciples. Hence it is not surprising to find Peter putting in a question. This incident confirms also the impression that Luke is giving actual historical data in the environment of th... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO THEN (τις αρα). Jesus introduces this parable of the wise steward (Luke 12:42-48) by a rhetorical question that answers itself. Peter is this wise steward, each of the Twelve is, anyone is who acts thus.THE FAITHFUL AND WISE STEWARD (ο πιστος οικονομος ο φρονιμος). The faithful steward, the... [ Continue Reading ]
OVER ALL (επ πασιν). See Luke 12:24-47 for επ with locative in this sense. Usually with genitive as in verse Luke 12:42 and sometimes with accusative as in verse Luke 12:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL SAY (ειπη). Second aorist subjunctive, with εαν, condition of the third class, undetermined, but with prospect of being determined.DELAYETH (χρονιζε). From χρονος, time, spends time, lingers.SHALL BEGIN (αρξητα). First aorist middle subjunctive with εαν and the same condition as ειπη, a... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL CUT HIM ASUNDER (διχοτομησε). An old and somewhat rare word from διχοτομος and that from διχα and τεμνω, to cut, to cut in two. Used literally here. In the N.T. only here and Matthew 24:51.WITH THE UNFAITHFUL (μετα των απιστων). Not here "the unbelieving" though that is a common meaning of... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH KNEW (ο γνους). Articular participle (second aorist active, punctiliar and timeless). The one who knows. So as to μη ετοιμασας η ποιησας (does not make ready or do).SHALL BE BEATEN WITH MANY STRIPES (δαρησετα πολλας). Second future passive of δερω, to skin, to beat, to flay (see on Matthe... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WHOMSOEVER MUCH IS GIVEN (παντ δε ω εδοθη πολυ). Here is inverse attraction from ο to παντ (Robertson, _Grammar_, pp. 767f.). Note παρ' αυτου (from him) without any regard to παντ.THEY COMMIT (παρεθεντο). Second aorist middle indicative, timeless or gnomic aorist. Note the impersonal plural... [ Continue Reading ]
I CAME TO CAST FIRE (Πυρ ηλθον βαλειν). Suddenly Jesus lets the volcano in his own heart burst forth. The fire was already burning. "Christ came to set the world on fire, and the conflagration had already begun" (Plummer). The very passion in Christ's heart would set his friends on fire and his f... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE A BAPTISM (βαπτισμα δε εχω). Once again Jesus will call his baptism the baptism of blood and will challenge James and John to it (Mark 10:32; Matthew 20:22). So here. "Having used the metaphor of fire, Christ now uses the metaphor of water. The one sets forth the result of his coming as it... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT RATHER DIVISION (αλλ' η διαμερισμον). Peace at any price is not the purpose of Christ. It is a pity for family jars to come, but loyalty to Christ counts more than all else. These ringing words (Luke 12:51-53) occur in Matthew 10:34-36 in the address to the Twelve for the Galilean tour. See d... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE MULTITUDES ALSO (κα τοις οχλοις). After the strong and stirring words just before with flash and force Jesus turns finally in this series of discourses to the multitudes again as in verse Luke 12:15. There are similar sayings to these verses Luke 12:54-59 in Matthew 16:1; Matthew 5:25. Ther... [ Continue Reading ]
TO INTERPRET THIS TIME (τον καιρον τουτον δοκιμαζειν). To test δοκιμαζειν as spiritual chemists. No wonder that Jesus here calls them "hypocrites" because of their blindness when looking at and hearing him. So it is today with those who are willfully blind to the steps of God among men. This igno... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN OF YOURSELVES (κα αφ' εαυτων). Without the presence and teaching of Jesus they had light enough to tell what is right (το δικαιον) and so without excuse as Paul argued in Luke 12:1-3.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE DILIGENCE TO BE QUIT OF HIM (δος εργασιαν απηλλαχθα απ' αυτου). Second aorist active imperative δος from διδωμ. Απηλλαχθα, perfect passive infinitive of απαλλασσω an old verb common, but only twice in the N.T. (here and Acts 19:12). Used here in a legal sense and the tense emphasizes a state... [ Continue Reading ]
TILL THOU HAVE PAID (εως αποδωις). Second aorist active subjunctive of αποδιδωμ, to pay back in full.THE LAST MITE (το εσχατον λεπτον). From λεπω, to peel off the bark. Very small brass coin, one-eighth of an ounce. In the N.T. only here and Luke 21:2; Mark 12:42 (the poor widow's mite) which s... [ Continue Reading ]