Read or listen The Gospel of Luke, chapter 12 online (ESV, Bible Gateway)

The risk of hypocrisy - Luke 12:1-3

Jesus returns from the Pharisee's house to the people (verse 1, Luke 11:29). However, he first teaches his disciples (verse 1) and only later the people (verse 13).

The leaven (verse 1) raised the dough. Nothing really came out even though the dough grew. The Pharisees were similar, hypocrites. They were handsome on the outside, but "empty on the inside." They had a certain role. You could even say that they had a mask that covered their true appearance. Jesus reminds us that God sees and knows everything, no one can hide anything from Him.

Verse 3 is also a call to proclaim the gospel openly "in the streets and byways" (Luke 14:23). The Gospel should not be "imprisoned" inside the walls of the church.

God's own are safe - Luke 12:4-12

This is the only time in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) that Jesus addresses his disciples as friends (verse 4, cf. John 15:14-15).

Satan is not to be feared, but resisted (verse 4, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8-9). Only God is to be feared, only He has the power to cast into hell (verse 5).

Matthew says that for one coin he got two sparrows (Matt. 10:29). Luke says that for two coins he got five sparrows: so the fifth was bought "for nothing" (verse 6). God takes care of even that which has no price! Man is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), therefore he is more valuable than the animals (verse 7).

Being in the image of God also includes a relationship with God. If that relationship is broken, then a person is in danger of being lost unless the relationship is restored (verse 8). Jesus is the watershed at the final judgment (verse 9). Peter denied Jesus (Luke 22:61), but when he repented, he was forgiven. So the question is not one denial, but an entire attitude in life: has one turned one’s back on God?

The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (verse 10) has caused many Christians great trouble and anxiety. What does blasphemy against the Holy Spirit mean? In Mark 3:22-30, this warning is given in the context of the teachers of the law accusing Jesus of being in league with Satan. In Hebrews 6:4-8, those who have apostatized are spoken of as blasphemers against the Holy Spirit. Obviously, we can say that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is placing oneself above the Holy Spirit.

The consequences of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, however, are clear: final hardening of the heart, turning one's back on God. If someone's conscience accuses him, he has not blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, for the conviction of sin is precisely the work of the Holy Spirit in us. "If you ask it, you have not done it!" You would not be concerned about it if you had done it.

Why can't this sin be forgiven? The Holy Spirit brings about repentance and awakens faith in us. Without the Holy Spirit, this is impossible.

Synagogues (verse 11) were the local courts of justice for the Jews, so verses 11 and 12 are about persecution. So this passage cannot justify spiritual laziness.

The Temptation of Greed – Luke 12:13-21

"There is nothing new under the sun!" (Ecclesiastes 1:9) Divisions of inheritance have always caused disputes and divided families. The Old Testament provided for a double share for the eldest brother compared to the other brothers (Deuteronomy 21:17), but otherwise there were no regulations on inheritance issues. Rabbis also decided questions of secular law, so it was understandable that Jesus was also asked to be a judge.

However, Jesus refused. The reason for Jesus' blunt response may have been that the man was not asking for justice, but rather wanted Jesus to ensure that his own will was done. Once again, it is worth seeing Luke's literary skill: although Jesus is not a "divider" of worldly things (verse 14), he is still a "great divider": in relation to property (verses 22-34), in relation to his neighbors (verses 35-48), and finally in relation to even other family members (verses 49-53).

Greed (verse 15) is severely condemned in the Bible. It is considered idolatry (Eph 5:5, see also 1 Tim 6:9-10: "The love of money is the root of all evil"). Luther explains the first commandment in the Large Catechism by saying that a person's god is the one on whom he feels himself dependent (compare Luke 12:34). The evil quality of money is precisely that it makes a person want more and more: "The appetite increases with eating." The goal of this world is short: "I want more!"

The man in the parable did exactly the right thing. He did his work carefully. His fault was the wrong foundation of life (compare Matt 7:24-27). He had become self-centered: he no longer remembered his neighbors. At the same time, he forgot that he would not live forever (compare verse 19). Self-centeredness had also led to loneliness (verse 20); he had only his wealth, no friends with whom to share it.

Luke writes the most of all the evangelists about the poor, wealth and its dangers (compare Luke 16:10-15, the proper use of mammon, see also Luke 3:11, 6:30, 11:41, 14:13-14, 16:9, 18:22, 19:8). The Bible does not glorify poverty or wealth (Proverbs 30:7-9), but rather moderation. A rich person could be defined as someone who has more than he needs. A poor person is someone who has less than he needs.

Lutheran regimental doctrine teaches that there are two "governments" or regiments in the world: a secular regiment, governed by law, and a spiritual regiment, governed by the gospel. Confusing the two has caused many problems.

Notice in verse 20: God determines the number of days we live. Not "many years" (verse 19) but "this night" (verse 20).

Holy carelessness - Luke 12:22-34

The raven (verse 24) was an unclean animal, but God takes care of it too. Today we know that worrying shortens rather than lengthens life (verse 25). God knows our needs (verse 30) and He also takes care of them (verse 28). Therefore, worrying is useless (verse 29). The Gentiles do not know this, therefore they worry (verse 30).

The kingdom of God is a gift (verse 32). It is the greatest gift God has given us (Romans 8:32), therefore it is worth pursuing. Man must eventually give up everything that belongs to this world (verse 33), only faith or unbelief will follow us beyond the threshold of death.

We should learn to distinguish between the things we can change and the things we cannot. Jesus also calls us to “repair” this world (verse 33). Yet you cannot earn or replace heaven by doing so.

You must be ready – Luke 12:35-48

There are three parables in the passage about the importance of watchfulness. The expected coming refers to the second coming of Jesus. Luke speaks more extensively about Jesus' return in Luke 21:8-35.

The first parable (verses 35-38) talks about servants waiting for their master. The wedding lasted many days, so the time of his return could not be known in advance.

In verse 38 the original Greek text speaks of the second and third watches of the night (compare KR-1938). The Romans divided the night into four watches: 18-21, 21-24, 00-03, 03-06 (Mark 13:35). The Jews divided the night into three watches: 18-22, 22-02, 02-06 (Judg. 7:19). This refers to the Jewish watches.

The reversal of verse 37; the master serving his slaves, refers to how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples (John 13:1-12), which was again a picture of how God serves people, all the way to the cross of Calvary. You can only belong to Jesus if Jesus serves you - especially in the matter of salvation.

"Dressed for action" (verse 35) meant tying the long hems of the garment around the waist so that they would not hinder work and walking (see Exodus 12:11). A Christian must be ready for work at all times.

The second parable (verses 39-40) speaks of a thief breaking into a house. The walls of houses at that time were made of clay, and it was easier to break through them than through a wooden door (see also 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11). Now Jesus knocks on the door (Revelation 3:20), but at the end of time he will force his way into every person’s life.

Peter’s question (verse 41) may be related to the fact that Jesus usually told parables to the people (Luke 8:10), but now to the disciples (verse 22). Jesus’ answer shows that he was speaking to all his own, not just to the apostles.

The third parable (verses 42-48) speaks of servants who were appointed to the position of managers of the households. (compare Luke 16:1). One was a good servant (verses 43-44), the other a bad servant (verses 45-46).

The task of Christians is to share the bread of life (verse 42, see also John 21:17).

Verses 47-49 speak of God's justice. In judgment He takes into account a person's circumstances, etc. (compare Matt. 25:14-30 and Rom. 2:12-16).

The hardest thing about being vigilant is expecting something to happen right now. It's easy to expect it to happen in a little while, tomorrow, etc.

Not peace, but quarrel – Luke 12:49-53

The "fire" of verse 49 has been difficult for commentators. Three different explanations have been proposed.

1. Jesus speaks of the final judgment (Joel 2:1-3)
2. Jesus speaks of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (compare Luke 3:16)
3. Jesus speaks of his own being in tribulation, "fiery situations"

It is difficult to choose between these three. It is possible that Jesus meant all three.

Jesus' baptism (verse 50) refers to the "baptism of blood" at Calvary (compare Mark 10:38).

The Messiah is the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:5). But peace here does not mean a state of no conflict among people, but peace between God and people (Eph 2:14-22). Families are divided. The division of two against three suggests that parents (=2) and children (=3) are on different sides (compare also verse 53). Jesus is the great divider. He will be that at the last judgment as well.

Israel, the Kingdom of God, the conditions of discipleship – Luke 12:54 - 14:35

Interpreting the Time – Luke 12:54-59

Weather forecasting is quite easy in Palestine. The westerly wind brings moisture from the Mediterranean. The rainy season is from October to April. During the dry season - from May to September - the winds blow from the dry Arabian desert. The Jews of Jesus' time could read and interpret the phenomena of the sky, but they didn't understand God's plan. They saw only the visible things, but the reality of God and the history of salvation were hidden from them.

The “moment” (Greek “kairos”) in verse 56 means a crucial, brief moment, not a long period of time. The Jews’ most important moment had come when Jesus came to them. In the same way, our most crucial moment is when Jesus draws near to us. Will we turn our backs on him like the Jews of Jesus’ day, or will we accept the Savior?

Verses 58-59 contain terms from both Jewish and Roman law. This also suggests that the writer was a Gentile (=Luke) who was also familiar with Roman culture.

The verses are a reminder that one day time will run out and everyone will have to stand before the judge. Then it will be too late to realize that they cannot repay their debt. When encountered in this time, Jesus is the Savior; but if the encounter occurs only in the future, we will face the Judge.

Notice that "as if in a side sentence," Jesus once again speaks of judgment at the end of time. The final judgment cannot be completely removed from the Bible without completely cutting it up.