Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Luke » Chapter 12 » Verse 1-59

Luke 12:1-59 King James Version (KJV)

1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

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 housetops.

4 And I say unto you my friends, Be 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 hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider 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?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

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 Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

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

35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Blessed 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, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

39 And 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.

40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

42 And the Lord said, Who 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?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The 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 will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not, 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.

49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

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, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.

56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

58 When 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.

59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.


Luke 12:1-59 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 In G1722 the mean time, G3739 when there were gathered together G1996 an innumerable multitude G3461 of people, G3793 insomuch that G5620 they trode G2662 one upon another, G240 he began G756 to say G3004 unto G4314 his G846 disciples G3101 first of all, G4412 Beware G4337 ye G1438 of G575 the leaven G2219 of the Pharisees, G5330 which G3748 is G2076 hypocrisy. G5272

2 For G1161 there is G2076 nothing G3762 covered, G4780 that G3739 shall G601 not G3756 be revealed; G601 neither G2532 hid, G2927 that G3739 shall G1097 not G3756 be known. G1097

3 Therefore G473 G3739 whatsoever G3745 ye have spoken G2036 in G1722 darkness G4653 shall be heard G191 in G1722 the light; G5457 and G2532 that which G3739 ye have spoken G2980 in G4314 the ear G3775 in G1722 closets G5009 shall be proclaimed G2784 upon G1909 the housetops. G1430

4 And G1161 I say G3004 unto you G5213 my G3450 friends, G5384 Be G5399 not G3361 afraid G5399 of them G575 that kill G615 the body, G4983 and G2532 after G3326 that G5023 have G2192 no G3361 G5100 more G4055 that they can do. G4160

5 But G1161 I will forewarn G5263 you G5213 whom G5101 ye shall fear: G5399 Fear G5399 him, which after G3326 he hath killed G615 hath G2192 power G1849 to cast G1685 into G1519 hell; G1067 yea, G3483 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Fear G5399 him. G5126

6 Are G4453 not G3780 five G4002 sparrows G4765 sold G4453 for two G1417 farthings, G787 and G2532 not G3756 one G1520 of G1537 them G846 is G2076 forgotten G1950 before G1799 God? G2316

7 But G235 even the very G2532 hairs G2359 of your G5216 head G2776 are G705 all G3956 numbered. G705 Fear G5399 not G3361 therefore: G3767 ye are of more value G1308 than many G4183 sparrows. G4765

8 Also G1161 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Whosoever G3956 G3739 G302 shall confess G3670 G1722 me G1698 before G1715 men, G444 G1722 him G846 shall G3670 the Son G5207 of man G444 also G2532 confess G3670 before G1715 the angels G32 of God: G2316

9 But G1161 he that denieth G720 me G3165 before G1799 men G444 shall be denied G533 before G1799 the angels G32 of God. G2316

10 And G2532 whosoever G3956 G3739 shall speak G2046 a word G3056 against G1519 the Son G5207 of man, G444 it shall be forgiven G863 him: G846 but G1161 unto him that blasphemeth G987 against G1519 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 it shall G863 not G3756 be forgiven. G863

11 And G1161 when G3752 they bring G4374 you G5209 unto G1909 the synagogues, G4864 and G2532 unto magistrates, G746 and G2532 powers, G1849 take G3309 ye no G3361 thought G3309 how G4459 or G2228 what thing G5101 ye shall answer, G626 or G2228 what G5101 ye shall say: G2036

12 For G1063 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 shall teach G1321 you G5209 in G1722 the same G846 hour G5610 what G3739 ye ought G1163 to say. G2036

13 And G1161 one G5100 of G1537 the company G3793 said G2036 unto him, G846 Master, G1320 speak G2036 to my G3450 brother, G80 that he divide G3307 the inheritance G2817 with G3326 me. G1700

14 And G1161 he said G2036 unto him, G846 Man, G444 who G5101 made G2525 me G3165 a judge G1348 or G2228 a divider G3312 over G1909 you? G5209

15 And G1161 he said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Take heed, G3708 and G2532 beware G5442 of G575 covetousness: G4124 for G3754 a man's G5100 G846 life G2222 consisteth G2076 not G3756 in G1722 the abundance G4052 of G1537 the things which he G846 possesseth. G5224

16 And G1161 he spake G2036 a parable G3850 unto G4314 them, G846 saying, G3004 The ground G5561 of a certain G5100 rich G4145 man G444 brought forth plentifully: G2164

17 And G2532 he thought G1260 within G1722 himself, G1438 saying, G3004 What G5101 shall I do, G4160 because G3754 I have G2192 no G3756 room where G4226 to bestow G4863 my G3450 fruits? G2590

18 And G2532 he said, G2036 This G5124 will I do: G4160 I will pull down G2507 my G3450 barns, G596 and G2532 build G3618 greater; G3187 and G2532 there G1563 will I bestow G4863 all G3956 my G3450 fruits G1081 and G2532 my G3450 goods. G18

19 And G2532 I will say G2046 to my G3450 soul, G5590 Soul, G5590 thou hast G2192 much G4183 goods G18 laid up G2749 for G1519 many G4183 years; G2094 take thine ease, G373 eat, G5315 drink, G4095 and be merry. G2165

20 But G1161 God G2316 said G2036 unto him, G846 Thou fool, G878 this G5026 night G3571 thy G4675 soul G5590 shall be required G523 of G575 thee: G4675 then G1161 whose G5101 shall those things be, G2071 which G3739 thou hast provided? G2090

21 So G3779 is he that layeth up treasure G2343 for himself, G1438 and G2532 is G4147 not G3361 rich G4147 toward G1519 God. G2316

22 And G1161 he said G2036 unto G4314 his G846 disciples, G3101 Therefore G1223 G5124 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Take G3309 no G3361 thought G3309 for your G5216 life, G5590 what G5101 ye shall eat; G5315 neither G3366 for the body, G4983 what G5101 ye shall put on. G1746

23 The life G5590 is G2076 more G4119 than meat, G5160 and G2532 the body G4983 is more than raiment. G1742

24 Consider G2657 the ravens: G2876 for G3754 they neither G3756 sow G4687 nor G3761 reap; G2325 which G3739 neither G3756 have G2076 storehouse G5009 nor G3761 barn; G596 and G2532 God G2316 feedeth G5142 them: G846 how much G4214 more G3123 are G1308 ye G5210 better than G1308 the fowls? G4071

25 And G1161 which G5101 of G1537 you G5216 with taking thought G3309 can G1410 add G4369 to G1909 his G846 stature G2244 one G1520 cubit? G4083

26 If G1487 ye then G3767 be G1410 not G3777 able to do G1410 that thing which is least, G1646 why G5101 take ye thought G3309 for G4012 the rest? G3062

27 Consider G2657 the lilies G2918 how G4459 they grow: G837 they toil G2872 not, G3756 they spin G3514 not; G3761 and yet G1161 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that Solomon G4672 in G1722 all G3956 his G846 glory G1391 was G4016 not G3761 arrayed G4016 like G5613 one G1520 of these. G5130

28 If G1487 then G1161 God G2316 so G3779 clothe G294 the grass, G5528 which G5607 is to day G4594 in G1722 the field, G68 and G2532 to morrow G839 is cast G906 into G1519 the oven; G2823 how much G4214 more G3123 will he clothe you, G5209 O ye of little faith? G3640

29 And G2532 seek G2212 not G3361 ye G5210 what G5101 ye shall eat, G5315 or G2228 what G5101 ye shall drink, G4095 G2532 neither G3361 be ye of doubtful mind. G3349

30 For G1063 all G3956 these things G5023 do G1934 the nations G1484 of the world G2889 seek after: G1934 and G1161 your G5216 Father G3962 knoweth G1492 that G3754 ye have need G5535 of these things. G5130

31 But rather G4133 seek ye G2212 the kingdom G932 of God; G2316 and G2532 all G3956 these things G5023 shall be added G4369 unto you. G5213

32 Fear G5399 not, G3361 little G3398 flock; G4168 for G3754 it is G2106 your G5216 Father's G3962 good pleasure G2106 to give G1325 you G5213 the kingdom. G932

33 Sell G4453 that ye G5216 have, G5224 and G2532 give G1325 alms; G1654 provide G4160 yourselves G1438 bags G905 which wax G3822 not G3361 old, G3822 a treasure G2344 in G1722 the heavens G3772 that faileth not, G413 where G3699 no G3756 thief G2812 approacheth, G1448 neither G3761 moth G4597 corrupteth. G1311

34 For G1063 where G3699 your G5216 treasure G2344 is, G2076 there G1563 will G2071 your G5216 heart G2588 be G2071 also. G2532

35 Let G2077 your G5216 loins G3751 be G2077 girded about, G4024 and G2532 your lights G3088 burning; G2545

36 And G2532 ye yourselves G5210 like G3664 unto men G444 that wait G4327 for their G1438 lord, G2962 when G4219 he will return G360 from G1537 the wedding; G1062 that G2443 when he cometh G2064 and G2532 knocketh, G2925 they may open G455 unto him G846 immediately. G2112

37 Blessed G3107 are those G1565 servants, G1401 whom G3739 the lord G2962 when he cometh G2064 shall find G2147 watching: G1127 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 he shall gird himself, G4024 and G2532 make G347 them G846 to sit down to meat, G347 and G2532 will come forth G3928 and serve G1247 them. G846

38 And G2532 if G1437 he shall come G2064 in G1722 the second G1208 watch, G5438 or G2532 come G2064 in G1722 the third G5154 watch, G5438 and G2532 find G2147 them so, G3779 blessed G3107 are G1526 those G1565 servants. G1401

39 And G1161 this G5124 know, G1097 that G3754 if G1487 the goodman of the house G3617 had known G1492 what G4169 hour G5610 the thief G2812 would come, G2064 G302 he would have watched, G1127 and G2532 G302 not G3756 have suffered G863 his G846 house G3624 to be broken through. G1358

40 Be G1096 ye G5210 therefore G3767 ready G2092 also: G2532 for G3754 G3739 the Son G5207 of man G444 cometh G2064 at an hour G5610 when ye think G1380 not. G3756

41 Then G1161 Peter G4074 said G2036 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 speakest thou G3004 this G5026 parable G3850 unto G4314 us, G2248 or G2228 even G2532 to G4314 all? G3956

42 And G1161 the Lord G2962 said, G2036 Who G5101 then G686 is G2076 that faithful G4103 and G2532 wise G5429 steward, G3623 whom G3739 his lord G2962 shall make ruler G2525 over G1909 his G846 household, G2322 to give G1325 them their portion of meat G4620 in G1722 due season? G2540

43 Blessed G3107 is that G1565 servant, G1401 whom G3739 his G846 lord G2962 when he cometh G2064 shall find G2147 so G3779 doing. G4160

44 Of a truth G230 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 he will make him G846 ruler G2525 over G1909 all G3956 that he G846 hath. G5224

45 But and G1161 if G1437 that G1565 servant G1401 say G2036 in G1722 his G846 heart, G2588 My G3450 lord G2962 delayeth G5549 his coming; G2064 and G2532 shall begin G756 to beat G5180 the menservants G3816 and G2532 maidens, G3814 and G5037 to eat G2068 and G2532 drink, G4095 and G2532 to be drunken; G3182

46 The lord G2962 of that G1565 servant G1401 will come G2240 in G1722 a day G2250 when G3739 he looketh G4328 not G3756 for G4328 him, and G2532 at G1722 an hour G5610 when G3739 he is G1097 not G3756 aware, G1097 and G2532 will cut G1371 him G846 in sunder, G1371 and G2532 will appoint G5087 him his G846 portion G3313 with G3326 the unbelievers. G571

47 And G1161 that G1565 servant, G1401 which G3588 knew G1097 his G1438 lord's G2962 will, G2307 and G2532 prepared G2090 not G3361 himself, neither G3366 did G4160 according G4314 to his G846 will, G2307 shall be beaten G1194 with many G4183 stripes.

48 But G1161 he that knew G1097 not, G3361 and G1161 did commit G4160 things worthy G514 of stripes, G4127 shall be beaten G1194 with few G3641 stripes. For G1161 unto whomsoever G3739 G3956 much G4183 is given, G1325 of G3844 him G846 shall be much G4183 required: G2212 and G2532 to whom men G3739 have committed G3908 much, G4183 of him G846 they will ask G154 the more. G4055

49 I am come G2064 to send G906 fire G4442 on G1519 the earth; G1093 and G2532 what G5101 will I, G2309 if G1487 it be G381 already G2235 kindled? G381

50 But G1161 I have G2192 a baptism G908 to be baptized with; G907 and G2532 how G4459 am I straitened G4912 till G2193 G3757 it be accomplished! G5055

51 Suppose ye G1380 that G3754 I am come G3854 to give G1325 peace G1515 on G1722 earth? G1093 I tell G3004 you, G5213 Nay; G3780 but G235 rather G2228 division: G1267

52 For G1063 from G575 henceforth G3568 there shall be G2071 five G4002 in G1722 one G1520 house G3624 divided, G1266 three G5140 against G1909 two, G1417 and G2532 two G1417 against G1909 three. G5140

53 The father G3962 shall be divided G1266 against G1909 the son, G5207 and G2532 the son G5207 against G1909 the father; G3962 the mother G3384 against G1909 the daughter, G2364 and G2532 the daughter G2364 against G1909 the mother; G3384 the mother in law G3994 against G1909 her G846 daughter in law, G3565 and G2532 the daughter in law G3565 against G1909 her G846 mother in law. G3994

54 And G1161 he said G3004 also G2532 to the people, G3793 When G3752 ye see G1492 a cloud G3507 rise G393 out of G575 the west, G1424 straightway G2112 ye say, G3004 There cometh G2064 a shower; G3655 and G2532 so G3779 it is. G1096

55 And G2532 when G3752 ye see the south wind G3558 blow, G4154 ye say, G3004 G3754 There will be G2071 heat; G2742 and G2532 it cometh to pass. G1096

56 Ye hypocrites, G5273 ye can G1492 discern G1381 the face G4383 of the sky G3772 and G2532 of the earth; G1093 but G1161 how is it G4459 that ye do not G3756 discern G1381 this G5126 time? G2540

57 Yea, G1161 and why G5101 even G2532 of G575 yourselves G1438 judge ye G2919 not G3756 what is right? G1342

58 When G5613 G1063 thou goest G5217 with G3326 thine G4675 adversary G476 to G1909 the magistrate, G758 as thou art in G1722 the way, G3598 give G1325 diligence G2039 that thou mayest be delivered G525 from G575 him; G846 lest G3379 he hale G2694 thee G4571 to G4314 the judge, G2923 and G2532 the judge G2923 deliver G3860 thee G4571 to the officer, G4233 and G2532 the officer G4233 cast G906 thee G4571 into G1519 prison. G5438

59 I tell G3004 thee, G4671 thou shalt G1831 not G3364 depart G1831 thence, G1564 G2532 till G2193 G3739 thou hast paid G591 the very last G2078 mite. G3016


Luke 12:1-59 American Standard (ASV)

1 In the mean time, when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

3 Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.

7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

8 And I say unto you, Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

9 but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God.

10 And every one who shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven.

11 And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

12 for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say.

13 And one out of the multitude said unto him, Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.

14 But he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for `your' life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.

23 For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.

24 Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds!

25 And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?

26 If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?

27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more `shall he clothe' you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31 Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you.

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth.

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

35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning;

36 and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.

37 Blessed 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 sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find `them' so blessed are those `servants'.

39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.

40 Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.

41 And Peter said, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall set over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.

45 But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the unfaithful.

47 And that servant, who knew his lord's will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many `stripes';

48 but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few `stripes'. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.

49 I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled?

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

51 Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

52 for there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

53 They shall be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law.

54 And he said to the multitudes also, When ye see a cloud rising in the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it cometh to pass.

55 And when `ye see' a south wind blowing, ye say, There will be a scorching heat; and it cometh to pass.

56 Ye hypocrites, ye know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that ye know not how to interpret this time?

57 And why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

58 For as thou art going with thine adversary before the magistrate, on the way give diligence to be quit of him; lest haply he drag thee unto the judge, and the judge shall deliver thee to the officer, and the officer shall cast thee into prison.

59 I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the very last mite.


Luke 12:1-59 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 At which time the myriads of the multitude having been gathered together, so as to tread upon one another, he began to say unto his disciples, first, `Take heed to yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy;

2 and there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known;

3 because whatever in the darkness ye said, in the light shall be heard: and what to the ear ye spake in the inner-chambers, shall be proclaimed upon the house-tops.

4 `And I say to you, my friends, be not afraid of those killing the body, and after these things are not having anything over to do;

5 but I will show to you, whom ye may fear; Fear him who, after the killing, is having authority to cast to the gehenna; yes, I say to you, Fear ye Him.

6 `Are not five sparrows sold for two assars? and one of them is not forgotten before God,

7 but even the hairs of your head have been all numbered; therefore fear ye not, than many sparrows ye are of more value.

8 `And I say to you, Every one -- whoever may confess with me before men, the Son of Man also shall confess with him before the messengers of God,

9 and he who hath denied me before men, shall be denied before the messengers of God,

10 and every one whoever shall say a word to the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven to him, but to him who to the Holy Spirit did speak evil, it shall not be forgiven.

11 `And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye may reply, or what ye may say,

12 for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that hour what it behoveth `you' to say.'

13 And a certain one said to him, out of the multitude, `Teacher, say to my brother to divide with me the inheritance.'

14 And he said to him, `Man, who set me a judge or a divider over you?'

15 And he said unto them, `Observe, and beware of the covetousness, because not in the abundance of one's goods is his life.'

16 And he spake a simile unto them, saying, `Of a certain rich man the field brought forth well;

17 and he was reasoning within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where I shall gather together my fruits?

18 and he said, This I will do, I will take down my storehouses, and greater ones I will build, and I will gather together there all my products and my good things,

19 and I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast many good things laid up for many years, be resting, eat, drink, be merry.

20 `And God said to him, Unthinking one! this night thy soul they shall require from thee, and what things thou didst prepare -- to whom shall they be?

21 so `is' he who is treasuring up to himself, and is not rich toward God.'

22 And he said unto his disciples, `Because of this, to you I say, Be not anxious for your life, what ye may eat; nor for the body, what ye may put on;

23 the life is more than the nourishment, and the body than the clothing.

24 `Consider the ravens, that they sow not, nor reap, to which there is no barn nor storehouse, and God doth nourish them; how much better are ye than the fowls?

25 and who of you, being anxious, is able to add to his age one cubit?

26 If, then, ye are not able for the least -- why for the rest are ye anxious?

27 `Consider the lilies, how do they grow? they labour not, nor do they spin, and I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these;

28 and if the herbage in the field, that to-day is, and to-morrow into an oven is cast, God doth so clothe, how much more you -- ye of little faith?

29 `And ye -- seek not what ye may eat, or what ye may drink, and be not in suspense,

30 for all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father hath known that ye have need of these things;

31 but, seek ye the reign of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

32 `Fear not, little flock, because your Father did delight to give you the reign;

33 sell your goods, and give alms, make to yourselves bags that become not old, a treasure unfailing in the heavens, where thief doth not come near, nor moth destroy;

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

35 `Let your loins be girded, and the lamps burning,

36 and ye like to men waiting for their lord, when he shall return out of the wedding feasts, that he having come and knocked, immediately they may open to him.

37 `Happy those servants, whom the lord, having come, shall find watching; verily I say to you, that he will gird himself, and will cause them to recline (at meat), and having come near, will minister to them;

38 and if he may come in the second watch, and in the third watch he may come, and may find `it' so, happy are those servants.

39 `And this know, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief doth come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through;

40 and ye, then, become ye ready, because at the hour ye think not, the Son of Man doth come.'

41 And Peter said to him, `Sir, unto us this simile dost thou speak, or also unto all?'

42 And the Lord said, `Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the lord shall set over his household, to give in season the wheat measure?

43 Happy that servant, whom his lord, having come, shall find doing so;

44 truly I say to you, that over all his goods he will set him.

45 `And if that servant may say in his heart, My lord doth delay to come, and may begin to beat the men-servants and the maid-servants, to eat also, and to drink, and to be drunken;

46 the lord of that servant will come in a day in which he doth not look for `him', and in an hour that he doth not know, and will cut him off, and his portion with the unfaithful he will appoint.

47 `And that servant, who having known his lord's will, and not having prepared, nor having gone according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes,

48 and he who, not having known, and having done things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few; and to every one to whom much was given, much shall be required from him; and to whom they did commit much, more abundantly they will ask of him.

49 `Fire I came to cast to the earth, and what will I if already it was kindled?

50 but I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I pressed till it may be completed!

51 `Think ye that peace I came to give in the earth? no, I say to you, but rather division;

52 for there shall be henceforth five in one house divided -- three against two, and two against three;

53 a father shall be divided against a son, and a son against a father, a mother against a daughter, and a daughter against a mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.'

54 And he said also to the multitudes, `When ye may see the cloud rising from the west, immediately ye say, A shower doth come, and it is so;

55 and when -- a south wind blowing, ye say, that there will be heat, and it is;

56 hypocrites! the face of the earth and of the heaven ye have known to make proof of, but this time -- how do ye not make proof of `it'?

57 `And why, also, of yourselves, judge ye not what is righteous?

58 for, as thou art going away with thy opponent to the ruler, in the way give diligence to be released from him, lest he may drag thee unto the judge, and the judge may deliver thee to the officer, and the officer may cast thee into prison;

59 I say to thee, thou mayest not come forth thence till even the last mite thou mayest give back.'


Luke 12:1-59 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 In those [times], the myriads of the crowd being gathered together, so that they trod one on another, he began to say to his disciples first, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy;

2 but there is nothing covered up which shall not be revealed, nor secret that shall not be known;

3 therefore whatever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light, and what ye have spoken in the ear in chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

4 But I say to you, my friends, Fear not those who kill the body and after this have no more that they can do.

5 But I will shew you whom ye shall fear: Fear him who after he has killed has authority to cast into hell; yea, I say to you, Fear *him*.

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two assaria? and one of them is not forgotten before God.

7 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore, ye are better than many sparrows.

8 But I say to you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, the Son of man will confess him also before the angels of God;

9 but he that shall have denied me before men shall be denied before the angels of God;

10 and whoever shall say a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him; but to him that speaks injuriously against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven.

11 But when they bring you before the synagogues and rulers and the authorities, be not careful how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say;

12 for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in the hour itself what should be said.

13 And a person said to him out of the crowd, Teacher, speak to my brother to divide the inheritance with me.

14 But he said to him, Man, who established me [as] a judge or a divider over you?

15 And he said to them, Take heed and keep yourselves from all covetousness, for [it is] not because a man is in abundance [that] his life is in his possessions.

16 And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The land of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.

17 And he reasoned within himself saying, What shall I do? for I have not [a place] where I shall lay up my fruits.

18 And he said, This will I do: I will take away my granaries and build greater, and there I will lay up all my produce and my good things;

19 and I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much good things laid by for many years; repose thyself, eat, drink, be merry.

20 But God said to him, Fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; and whose shall be what thou hast prepared?

21 Thus is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said to his disciples, For this cause I say unto you, Be not careful for life, what ye shall eat, nor for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than food, and the body than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens, that they sow not nor reap; which have neither storehouse nor granary; and God feeds them. How much better are *ye* than the birds?

25 But which of you by being careful can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If therefore ye cannot [do] even what is least, why are ye careful about the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I say unto you, Not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed as one of these.

28 But if God thus clothe the grass, which to-day is in the field and to-morrow is cast into [the] oven, how much rather you, O ye of little faith?

29 And *ye*, seek not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, and be not in anxiety;

30 for all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that ye have need of these things;

31 but seek his kingdom, and [all] these things shall be added to you.

32 Fear not, little flock, for it has been the good pleasure of your Father to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell what ye possess and give alms; make to yourselves purses which do not grow old, a treasure which does not fail in the heavens, where thief does not draw near nor moth destroy.

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

35 Let your loins be girded about, and lamps burning;

36 and *ye* like men who wait their own lord whenever he may leave the wedding, that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.

37 Blessed are those bondmen whom the lord [on] coming shall find watching; verily I say unto you, that he will gird himself and make them recline at table, and coming up will serve them.

38 And if he come in the second watch, and come in the third watch, and find [them] thus, blessed are those [bondmen].

39 But this know, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be dug through.

40 And ye therefore, be *ye* ready, for in the hour in which ye do not think [it], the Son of man comes.

41 And Peter said to him, Lord, sayest thou this parable to us, or also to all?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and prudent steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give the measure of corn in season?

43 Blessed is that bondman whom his lord [on] coming shall find doing thus;

44 verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he has.

45 But if that bondman should say in his heart, My lord delays to come, and begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and to drink and to be drunken,

46 the lord of that bondman shall come in a day when he does not expect it, and in an hour he knows not of, and shall cut him in two and appoint his portion with the unbelievers.

47 But that bondman who knew his own lord's will, and had not prepared [himself] nor done his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes];

48 but he who knew [it] not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. And to every one to whom much has been given, much shall be required from him; and to whom [men] have committed much, they will ask from him the more.

49 I have come to cast a fire on the earth; and what will I if already it has been kindled?

50 But I have a baptism to be baptised with, and how am I straitened until it shall have been accomplished!

51 Think ye that I have come to give peace in the earth? Nay, I say to you, but rather division:

52 for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided; three shall be divided against two, and two against three:

53 father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

54 And he said also to the crowds, When ye see a cloud rising out of the west, straightway ye say, A shower is coming; and so it happens.

55 And when [ye see] the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it happens.

56 Hypocrites, ye know how to judge of the appearance of the earth and of the heaven; how [is it then that] ye do not discern this time?

57 And why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

58 For as thou goest with thine adverse party before a magistrate, strive in the way to be reconciled with him, lest he drag thee away to the judge, and the judge shall deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

59 I say unto thee, Thou shalt in no wise come out thence until thou hast paid the very last mite.


Luke 12:1-59 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed, nor hidden, that will not be known.

3 Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers will be proclaimed on the housetops.

4 "I tell you, my friends, don't be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna.{or, Hell} Yes, I tell you, fear him.

6 "Aren't five sparrows sold for two assaria coins{An assarion was a small copper coin worth about an hour's wages for an agricultural laborer.}? Not one of them is forgotten by God.

7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.

8 "I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God;

9 but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.

10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don't be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say;

12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say."

13 One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

14 But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"

15 He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses."

16 He spoke a parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.

17 He reasoned within himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I don't have room to store my crops?'

18 He said, 'This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

19 I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry."'

20 "But God said to him, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared--whose will they be?'

21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

22 He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear.

23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

24 Consider the ravens: they don't sow, they don't reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds!

25 Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height?

26 If then you aren't able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest?

27 Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?

29 Don't seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious.

30 For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things.

31 But seek God's Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.

32 Don't be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.

33 Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn't fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys.

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

35 "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning.

36 Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most assuredly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them.

38 They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so.

39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.

40 Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don't expect him."

41 Peter said to him, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?"

42 The Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times?

43 Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes.

44 Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has.

45 But if that servant says in his heart, 'My lord delays his coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken,

46 then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn't expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn't know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful.

47 That servant, who knew his lord's will, and didn't prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,

48 but he who didn't know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whoever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.

49 "I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled.

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!

51 Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.

52 For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

53 They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

54 He said to the multitudes also, "When you see a cloud rising from the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it happens.

55 When a south wind blows, you say, 'There will be a scorching heat,' and it happens.

56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don't interpret this time?

57 Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?

58 For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.

59 I tell you, you will by no means get out of there, until you have paid the very last penny.{Literally, lepton. A lepton is a very small brass Jewish coin worth half a Roman quadrans each, which is worth a quarter of the copper assarion. Lepta are worth less than 1% of an agricultural worker's daily wages.}"


Luke 12:1-59 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 At that time, when thousands of the people had come together, in such numbers that they were crushing one another, he said first to his disciples, Have nothing to do with the leaven of the Pharisees, which is deceit.

2 But nothing is covered up, which will not come to light, or secret, which will not be made clear.

3 So, whatever you have said in the dark, will come to men's hearing in the light, and what you have said secretly inside the house, will be made public from the house-tops.

4 And I say to you, my friends, Have no fear of those who may put the body to death, and are able to do no more than that.

5 But I will make clear to you of whom you are to be in fear: of him who after death has power to send you to hell; yes, truly I say, Have fear of him.

6 Are not five sparrows given in exchange for two farthings? and God has every one of them in mind.

7 But even the hairs of your head are numbered. Have no fear: you are of more value than a flock of sparrows.

8 And I say to you that to everyone who gives witness to me before men, the Son of man will give witness before the angels of God.

9 But if anyone says before men that he has no knowledge of me, I will say that I have no knowledge of him before the angels of God.

10 And if anyone says a word against the Son of man, he will have forgiveness: but for him who says evil words against the Holy Spirit, there will be no forgiveness.

11 And when they take you before the Synagogues and the authorities and the rulers, take no thought about what answers you will give, or what you will say:

12 For the Holy Spirit will make clear to you in that very hour what to say.

13 And one of the people said to him, Master, give an order to my brother to make division of the heritage with me.

14 But he said, Man, who made me a judge or a maker of decisions for you?

15 And he said to them, Take care to keep yourselves free from the desire for property; for a man's life is not made up of the number of things which he has.

16 And he said to them, in a story, The land of a certain man of great wealth was very fertile:

17 And he said to himself, What is to be done? for I have no place in which to put all my fruit.

18 And he said, This I will do: I will take down my store-houses and make greater ones, and there I will put all my grain and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have a great amount of goods in store, enough for a number of years; be at rest, take food and wine and be happy.

20 But God said to him, You foolish one, tonight I will take your soul from you, and who then will be the owner of all the things which you have got together?

21 So that is what comes to the man who gets wealth for himself, and has not wealth in the eyes of God.

22 And he said to his disciples, For this reason I say to you, Take no thought for your life, about what food you will take, or for your body, how it may be clothed.

23 Is not life more than food, and the body than its clothing?

24 Give thought to the ravens; they do not put seeds into the earth, or get together grain; they have no store-houses or buildings; and God gives them their food: of how much greater value are you than the birds!

25 And which of you by taking thought is able to make himself any taller?

26 If, then, you are not able to do even that which is least, why are you troubled about the rest?

27 Give thought to the flowers: they do no work, they make no thread; and still I say to you, Even Solomon, in all his glory, was not clothed like one of these.

28 But if God gives such clothing to the grass in the field, which today is living, and tomorrow will be burned in the oven, how much more will he give clothing to you, O men of little faith?

29 And do not give overmuch thought to your food and drink, and let not your mind be full of doubts.

30 For the nations of the world go in search of all these things: but your Father has knowledge that you have need of them.

31 But let your chief care be for his kingdom, and these other things will be given to you in addition.

32 Have no fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 Give what property you have in exchange for money, and give the money to the poor; make for yourselves money-bags which will not get old, wealth stored up in heaven which will be yours for ever, where thieves will not come nor worms put it to destruction.

34 For where your wealth is, there will your heart be.

35 Be ready, dressed as for a journey, with your lights burning.

36 And be like men who are looking for their lord, when he comes back from the bride-feast; so that when he comes to the door, it will be open to him quickly.

37 Happy are those servants who are watching when the lord comes; truly I say to you, he will make himself their servant and, placing them at the table, he will come out and give them food.

38 And if he comes in the second division of the night or in the third, and they are watching for him, happy are those servants.

39 But be certain of this, that if the master of the house had had knowledge of the time when the thief was coming, he would have been watching, and would not have let his house be broken into.

40 So be ready: for the Son of man is coming at a time when you are not looking for him.

41 And Peter said to him, Lord, are these words said to us only, or to all men?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is the wise and responsible servant whom his lord will put in control of his family, to give them their food at the right time?

43 Happy is that servant who, when his lord comes, is doing so.

44 Truly I say to you, he will put him in control of all his goods.

45 But if that servant says to himself, My lord is a long time coming; and goes about giving blows to the men-servants and the women-servants, feasting and taking overmuch wine;

46 The lord of that servant will come at a time when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not ready for him, and he will have him cut in two and will give him his part in the fate of those who have no faith;

47 And the servant who had knowledge of his lord's desires and was not ready for him and did not do as he was ordered, will be given a great number of blows;

48 But he who, without knowledge, did things for which punishment is given, will get only a small number of blows. The man to whom much is given, will have to give much; if much is given into his care, of him more will be requested.

49 I came to send a fire on the earth, and it may even now have been lighted.

50 But there is a baptism which I have to undergo; and how am I kept back till it is complete!

51 Is it your opinion that I have come to give peace on earth? I say to you, No, but division:

52 For from this time, a family of five in one house will be on opposite sides, three against two and two against three.

53 They will be at war, the father against his son, and the son against his father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

54 Then he said to the people, When you see a cloud coming up in the west, straight away you say, There will be rain; and so it is.

55 And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, There will be heat; and so it is.

56 O false ones! the face of the earth and the heaven is clear to you; how is it that the signs of these times are not as clear to you?

57 And why are you, in your hearts, unable to be judges of what is right?

58 For if anyone has a cause at law against you, and you are going with him before the ruler, make an attempt, on the way, to come to an agreement with him, for if you do not, he may take you before the judge and the judge will give you up to the police, and they will put you in prison.

59 I say to you, You will not come out of it till you have made payment to the very last farthing.

Commentary on Luke 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 12

Lu 12:1-12. Warning against Hypocrisy.

1-3. meantime—in close connection, probably, with the foregoing scene. Our Lord had been speaking out more plainly than ever before, as matters were coming to a head between Him and His enemies, and this seems to have suggested to His own mind the warning here. He had just Himself illustriously exemplified His own precepts.

his disciples first of all—afterwards to "the multitudes" (Lu 12:54).

covered—from the view.

2. hid—from knowledge. "Tis no use concealing anything, for all will one day come out. Give free and fearless utterance then to all the truth." (Compare 1Co 4:3, 5).

4, 5. I say, &c.—You will say, That may cost us our life. Be it so; but, "My friends, there their power ends." He calls them "my friends" here, not in any loose sense, but, as we think, from the feeling He then had that in this "killing of the body" He and they were going to be affectingly one with each other.

5. Fear Him … Fear Him—how striking the repetition here! Only the one fear would effectually expel the other.

after he hath killed, &c.—Learn here—(1) To play false with one's convictions to save one's life, may fail of its end after all, for God can inflict a violent death in some other and equally formidable way. (2) There is a hell, it seems, for the body as well as the soul; consequently, sufferings adapted to the one as well as the other. (3) Fear of hell is a divinely authorized and needed motive of action even to Christ's "friends." (4) As Christ's meekness and gentleness were not compromised by such harsh notes as these, so those servants of Christ lack their Master's spirit who soften down all such language to please ears "polite." (See on Mr 9:43-48).

6, 7. five … for two farthings—In Mt 10:29 it is "two for one farthing"; so if one took two farthings' worth, he got one in addition—of such small value were they.

than many sparrows—not "than millions of sparrows"; the charm and power of our Lord's teaching is very much in this simplicity.

8, 9. confess … deny—The point lies in doing it "before men," because one has to do it "despising the shame." But when done, the Lord holds Himself bound to repay it in kind by confessing such "before the angels of God." For the rest, see on Lu 9:26.

10. Son of man … Holy Ghost—(See on Mt 12:31, 32).

Lu 12:13-53. CovetousnessWatchfulnessSuperiority to Earthly Ties.

13. Master, &c.—that is, "Great Preacher of righteousness, help; there is need of Thee in this rapacious world; here am I the victim of injustice, and that from my own brother, who withholds from me my rightful share of the inheritance that has fallen to us." In this most inopportune intrusion upon the solemnities of our Lord's teaching, there is a mixture of the absurd and the irreverent, the one, however, occasioning the other. The man had not the least idea that his case was not of as urgent a nature, and as worthy the attention of our Lord, as anything else He could deal with.

14. Man, &c.—Contrast this style of address with "my friends," (Lu 12:4).

who, &c.—a question literally repudiating the office which Moses assumed (Ex 2:14). The influence of religious teachers in the external relations of life has ever been immense, when only the INDIRECT effect of their teaching; but whenever they intermeddle DIRECTLY with secular and political matters, the spell of that influence is broken.

15. unto them—the multitude around Him (Lu 12:1).

of covetousness—The best copies have "all," that is, "every kind of covetousness"; because as this was one of the more plausible forms of it, so He would strike at once at the root of the evil.

a man's life, &c.—a singularly weighty maxim, and not less so because its meaning and its truth are equally evident.

16-19. a certain rich man, &c.—Why is this man called a "fool?" (Lu 12:20) (1) Because he deemed a life of secure and abundant earthly enjoyment the summit of human felicity. (2) Because, possessing the means of this, through prosperity in his calling, he flattered himself that he had a long lease of such enjoyment, and nothing to do but give himself up to it. Nothing else is laid to his charge.

20, 21. this night, &c.—This sudden cutting short of his career is designed to express not only the folly of building securely upon the future, but of throwing one's whole soul into what may at any moment be gone. "Thy soul shall be required of thee" is put in opposition to his own treatment of it, "I will say to my soul, Soul," &c.

whose shall those things be, &c.—Compare Ps 39:6, "He heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them."

21. So is he, &c.—Such is a picture of his folly here, and of its awful issue.

and is not rich toward God—lives to amass and enjoy riches which terminate on self, but as to the riches of God's favor, which is life (Ps 30:5), of "precious" faith (2Pe 1:1; Jas 2:5), of good works (1Ti 6:18), of wisdom which is better than rubies (Pr 8:11)—lives and dies a beggar!

22-31. (See on Mt 6:25-33).

25, 26. which of you, &c.—Corroding solicitude will not bring you the least of the things ye fret about, though it may double the evil of wanting them. And if not the least, why vex yourselves about things of more consequence?

29. of doubtful, &c.—unsettled mind; put off your balance.

32. little flock, &c.—How sublime and touching a contrast between this tender and pitying appellation, "Little flock" (in the original a double diminutive, which in German can be expressed, but not in English)—and the "good pleasure" of the Father to give them the Kingdom; the one recalling the insignificance and helplessness of that then literal handful of disciples, the other holding up to their view the eternal love that encircled them, the everlasting arms that were underneath them, and the high inheritance awaiting them!—"the kingdom"; grand word; then why not "bread" (Lu 12:31 [Bengel]). Well might He say, "Fear not!"

33, 34. Sell, &c.—This is but a more vivid expression of Mt 6:19-21 (see on Mt 6:19-21).

35-40. loins … girded—to fasten up the long outer garment, always done before travel and work (2Ki 4:29; Ac 12:8). The meaning is, Be in readiness.

lights, &c.—(See on Mt 25:1).

36. return from the wedding—not come to it, as in the parable of the virgins. Both have their spiritual significance; but preparedness for Christ's coming is the prominent idea.

37. gird himself, &c.—"a promise the most august of all: Thus will the Bridegroom entertain his friends (nay, servants) on the solemn Nuptial Day" [Bengel].

38. second … third watch—To find them ready to receive Him at any hour of day or night, when one might least of all expect Him, is peculiarly blessed. A servant may be truly faithful, even though taken so far unawares that he has not everything in such order and readiness for his master's return as he thinks is due to him, and both could and would have had if he had had notice of the time of his coming, and so may not be willing to open to him "immediately," but fly to preparation, and let his master knock again ere he admit him, and even then not with full joy. A too common case this with Christians. But if the servant have himself and all under his charge in such a state that at any hour when his master knocks, he can open to him "immediately," and hail his "return"—that is the most enviable, "blessed" servant of all.

41-48. unto us or even to all?—us the Twelve, or all this vast audience?

42. Who then, &c.—answering the question indirectly by another question, from which they were left to gather what it would be:—To you certainly in the first instance, representing the "stewards" of the "household" I am about to collect, but generally to all "servants" in My house.

faithful and wise—Fidelity is the first requisite in a servant, wisdom (discretion and judgment in the exercise of his functions), the next.

steward—house steward, whose it was to distribute to the servants their allotted portion of food.

shall make—will deem fit to be made.

44. make him ruler over all he hath—will advance him to the highest post, referring to the world to come. (See Mt 25:21, 23).

45. begin to beat, &c.—In the confidence that his Lord's return will not be speedy, he throws off the role of servant and plays the master, maltreating those faithful servants who refuse to join him, seizing on and revelling in the fulness of his master's board; intending, when he has got his fill, to resume the mask of fidelity ere his master appear.

46. cut him in sunder—a punishment not unknown in the East; compare Heb 11:37, "sawn asunder" (1Sa 15:33; Da 2:5).

the unbelievers—the unfaithful, those unworthy of trust (Mt 24:51), "the hypocrites," falsely calling themselves "servants."

48. knew not—that is knew but partially; for some knowledge is presupposed both in the name "servant" of Christ, and his being liable to punishment at all.

many … few stripes—degrees of future punishment proportioned to the knowledge sinned against. Even heathens are not without knowledge enough for future judgment; but the reference here is not to such. It is a solemn truth, and though general, like all other revelations of the future world, discloses a tangible and momentous principle in its awards.

49-53. to send—cast.

fire—"the higher spiritual element of life which Jesus came to introduce into this earth (compare Mt 3:11), with reference to its mighty effects in quickening all that is akin to it and destroying all that is opposed. To cause this element of life to take up its abode on earth, and wholly to pervade human hearts with its warmth, was the lofty destiny of the Redeemer" [Olshausen: so Calvin, Stier, Alford, &c.].

what will I, &c.—an obscure expression, uttered under deep and half-smothered emotion. In its general import all are agreed; but the nearest to the precise meaning seems to be, "And what should I have to desire if it were once already kindled?" [Bengel and Bloomfield].

50. But … a baptism, &c.—clearly, His own bloody baptism, first to take place.

how … straitened—not, "how do I long for its accomplishment," as many understand it, thus making it but a repetition of Lu 12:49; but "what a pressure of spirit is upon Me."

till it be accomplished—till it be over. Before a promiscuous audience, such obscure language was fit on a theme like this; but oh, what surges of mysterious emotion in the view of what was now so near at hand does it reveal!

51. peace … ? Nay, &c.—the reverse of peace, in the first instance. (See on Mt 10:34-36.) The connection of all this with the foregoing warnings about hypocrisy, covetousness, and watchfulness, is deeply solemn: "My conflict hasten apace; Mine over, yours begins; and then, let the servants tread in their Master's steps, uttering their testimony entire and fearless, neither loving nor dreading the world, anticipating awful wrenches of the dearest ties in life, but looking forward, as I do, to the completion of their testimony, when, reaching the haven after the tempest, they shall enter into the joy of their Lord."

Lu 12:54-59. Not Discerning the Signs of the Time.

54. to the people—"the multitude," a word of special warning to the thoughtless crowd, before dismissing them. (See on Mt 16:2, 3).

56. how … not discern, &c.—unable to perceive what a critical period that was for the Jewish Church.

57. why even of yourselves, &c.—They might say, To do this requires more knowledge of Scripture and providence than we possess; but He sends them to their own conscience, as enough to show them who He was, and win them to immediate discipleship.

58. When thou goest, &c.—(See on Mt 5:25, 26). The urgency of the case with them, and the necessity, for their own safety, of immediate decision, was the object of these striking words.