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Luke Chapter Twelve

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Warnings and Teachings of the Son of Man the Savior

I. How to speak and walk before men (v.1-12).

II. How to treat treasure and living (v.13-34).

III. The attitude and knowledge of those who serve the Lord (v.35-39).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Luke. 12:1 “In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

   YLT: “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;”

   Meaning of words: “hypocrisy”: performance, act, putting on the mask.

The Background: “hypocrisy” this word originated with the actors on stage who spoke with masks to cover their original appearance so as to play the role vividly.

   Literal Meaning: leaven” is a sort of unicellular fungi that can make bread to ferment. Bread that has been fermented will become more delicious.

   Spiritual Meaning: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” “The leaven” indicates the evil things (See Exod. 12:20; 1Cor. 5:7-8) and teachings (See Matt. 16:12, Gal. 5:8-9). “The leaven of the Pharisees” here especially indicates “hypocrisy”------duplicity and preciosity; they pretend to have the form of piety and covet the reputation that they do not deserve, however, they actually do not fear God in their hearts. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “The leaven of the Pharisees” indicates not only the “teachings” of error (See Matt. 16:6) but also the “deeds” of error. Therefore we should not only be aware of the wrong teachings but also guard against the wrong deeds.

2) Today, the “hypocrisy” is often seen among Christians. It shows that “the leaven of the Pharisees” has been mixed into the assembly.

3) Today whatever misleads men and makes men merely pay attention to the outward appearance and neglect the inner reality is “the leaven of the Pharisees”.

 

Luke. 12:2 “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.

   YLT: “and there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known;”

   Literal Meaning: according to the context, “the covered” and “the hidden” indicate “the hypocrisy” (See v.1). None of the hypocritical could be covered.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Since things that are covered and hidden will be revealed sooner or later, it would be better for us to muster up our courage to speak what we should speak and to do what we should do.

2) Some Christians do what they shouldn’t do and they are afraid to be known by men instead of God. However, they will not only be known sooner or later but also it is much harder for them to confess before God before the judgment-seat.

 

Luke. 12:3 “Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

   YLT: “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.”

   Literal Meaning: “whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light” It indicates that the inconvenient words that are spoken in the dark (See Eph. 4:29; 5:4) will be revealed finally.

  “What you have spoken in inner rooms” “Inner rooms” indicate the private one among many rooms.

  “Will be proclaimed on the housetops” “On the housetops” indicate the place for public announce in old time.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A common saying goes like this, “what is done by night appears by day.” The teaching of the Bible is that, “what is said by night appears by day”.

2) Believers should speak very carefully because “every idle word” that we may speak carelessly today will be given account of some day in future (Matt. 12:36).

 

Luke. 12:4And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

   YLT: “`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;”

   Literal Meaning: “those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do” indicate those who have been utilized by the devil to persecute believers. Their persecution may make our body and mind suffer, however, at most they kill the body and they cannot kill the soul (See Matt. 10:28).

 

Luke. 12:5 “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

   YLT: “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.”

   Literal Meaning: “has power to cast into hell” Only God has this power.

  “Fear Him” indicates to honor His authority, fear Him and trust and rely on Him.

  The devil and its ministers (including the world) could kill the body at most and they cannot kill the soul. However if we dare not to bear witness to the Lord, fearing that our bodies may be killed, probably our souls may be punished by the Lord one day and this is what we should be afraid of.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Who we should fear is God instead of Satan. The attitude we should have towards Satan is to resist the devil firmly (See James. 4:7; 1Pet. 5:9).

2) Believers should not fear those who make us suffer losses temporarily and should fear those who make us suffer losses forever.

3) Men’s difficulty is that they do not fear what they are supposed to fear and fear what they are not supposed to fear. Who men should fear is God. “Fearing God” is the foundation of our victory.

 

Luke. 12:6Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

   YLT: “`Are not five sparrows sold for two assars? and one of them is not forgotten before God,”

   The Background: according to the Roman currency system at that time, one denarius costs sixteen copper coins (i.e. assarius). Therefore “two copper coins” is equal to one eighth denarius. At that time, the wage of a common worker is one denarius a day (See Matt. 20:2).

   Literal Meaning: “are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?” Two sparrows are sold for one coin (See Matt. 10:29) and five sparrows should be sold for two and a half copper coins. However, they are sold for two copper coins because the fifth sparrow is given by free if one buys four sparrows. This shows how cheap the sparrows------the food of the poor are.

  “And not one of them is forgotten before God.” This word shows that the sparrow that is given by free is not forgotten before God. This shows that: 1) God’s favor towards men is meticulous; 2) God specially takes care of the lowly ones and orphans and widows.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should learn to trust and rely on God’s care and arrangements.

2) Men and devils are unable to harm us without our Father in heaven. All our circumstances are permitted by our Father and He knows what profits us (Heb. 12:10).

 

Luke. 12:7 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

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

   Literal Meaning: “but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” This word shows that every hair of us has been numbered by God. Since God managers this little thing, He will assuredly regard us when we are encountered with difficulties because of His works.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Every thing believers have encountered is arranged by God. God arranges our circumstances carefully just as He has numbered our hairs.

2) God’s infinite meticulosity is just like His infinite greatness. Upon us nothing is too detailed for God to arrange.

3) “Many” is very precious. No matter how many sparrows there are, you are of more value.

4) God loves us as the apple of His eye (Deut. 32:10, Zech. 2:8).

5) The reason why men fear is that they do not trust in God’s arrangements. Everything is arranged by God. If you trust in God’s arrangements, you won’t fear and you will praise Him.

6) Obedience works joy and faith works rest. One will not fear when his heart is full of rest and joy.

 

Luke. 12:8Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.

   YLT: “`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,”

   Meaning of Words: “confess”: acknowledge, identify (it includes the meaning that one is united to the Lord).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If we bear witness to the Lord, the Lord will bear witness to us.

2) If we respect the Lord before men, the Lord will respect us before God.

 

Luke. 12:9 “But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

   YLT: “and he who hath denied me before men, shall be denied before the messengers of God,”

   Meaning of Words: “deny”: reject (the first one); deny seriously, reject utterly (the second one and the wording of the second is stronger and more serious).

Literal Meaning: whether we confess the Lord before men is closely connected with whether the Lord confesses us before God. If we dare not to confess the Lord before men because we are afraid of men, we will suffer the consequence of our fear. Should we fear God? Or should we fear men? It is a fearful thing to fall into hands of living God (Heb. 10:31).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Today it is wrong for believers that the more others oppose them, the less they dare to bear witness to the Lord. Actually, lamp is lightened in the dark. The more men reject the Lord, the more we should preach.

2) Many believers hold that they do not need to preach the glad tidings with mouth and they want to express the glad tidings with deeds. Our deeds should be worthy of the glad tidings (Pill. 1:27), however, deeds could not replace utterance.

 

Luke. 12:10And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

   YLT: “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.”

   Meaning of Words: “against”: towards, antagonize, and withstand; “blaspheme”: “blasphemy”: evil speaking, defamation, and vilification (especially against God).

   Literal Meaning: “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him.” “The Son of Man” is Christ. If men reject Him because they do not know that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God, they still have the possibility to come to realize the truth and turn to Him. Therefore it will be forgiven him.

  “But to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.” If men repent, very sin of behavior and words will be forgiven. However if someone obviously knows that the Holy Spirit works and deliberately despises and blasphemes the Holy Spirit, his conduct restrains he Holy Spirit from working in his heart forever. In this way, it is impossible for him to repent of his sins and certainly it will not be forgiven.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) One will be forgiven if he is too weak to obey the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Only those who obviously know that something is of the Holy Spirit and say that it is of Satan will never be forgiven.

2) Every behavioral sin of men could be forgiven. However if men are purposely against the Holy Spirit and their hearts keep hard to the end, there won’t be any possibility for them to be forgiven.

 

Luke. 12:11Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.

   YLT: “`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,”

   Literal Meaning: “how you should answer” indicates the way to speak.

  “What you should answer” indicates the context.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When we are confronted with persecution and opposition, we should not speak by ourselves.

2) If believers are persecuted or opposed, we should not deal with the difficulty by ourselves. We should commit ourselves to the Lord through faith. He that believes on the Lord shall not be ashamed (Rom. 9:33).

3) “Do not worry about.” The present world is full of intenseness and many people are anxious. However, when our hearts rest in the Lord, we could keep tranquil in trails and hardships.

 

Luke. 12:12 “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.’”

   YLT: “for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that hour what it behoveth [you] to say.’”

   Controversial Clarification: verse 11 and 12 do not tell us that before the servants of the Lord speak for God, they do not need to spend time praying and preparing for the message before God and the Spirit may teach them the fit words when they speak for the Lord. We should never make an excuse for our laziness by these verses. Surely even if the servants of the Lord are well-prepared, they still need to look upon the Spirit to give them the fit words when they speak for the Lord (See Neh. 2:4-5; Eph. 6:19).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should learn to return into the spirit and look on the guidance of the Holy Spirit instead of facing the persecution by ourselves because God’s Spirit dwells in our spirits (Rom. 8:9). The Spirit is our support and comfort when we are confronted with persecutions for serving the Lord.

2) If we are persecuted for the sake of the Lord, the Holy Spirit not only dwells in us but also will give us words so that we could answer those who persecute us. It shows that the cares of the Lord are so attentive that we do not need to be afraid.

3) If men rush to the fore to speak, the Holy Spirit will have no status to speak. If men do not speak for themselves, the Holy Spirit will manifest his words.

4) Many times men could speak what they are unable to speak and what they are unexpected because it is not them who speak, but the Spirit of their Father who speaks in them.

 

Luke. 12:13 “Then one from the crowd said to Him, Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’”

   YLT: “And a certain one said to him, out of the multitude, `Teacher, say to my brother to divide with me the inheritance.’”

   The Background: at that time rabbi had the right to help men to divide the inheritance according to the Law of Moses (e.g. Num. 27:1-11; Deut. 21:15-17).

 

Luke. 12:14 “But He said to him, Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?’”

   YLT: “And he said to him, `Man, who set me a judge or a divider over you?’”

   Literal Meaning: “man” Please note that this tone of speech is straight forward.

  The Lord Jesus refused to be a judge or an arbitrator over men because He was concerned about men’s life (See v.15). Life is much more important than treasure.

 

Luke. 12:15 “And He said to them, Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.’”

   YLT: “And he said unto them, ‘Observe, and beware of the covetousness, because not in the abundance of one’s goods is his life.’”

   Meaning of Words: “take heed”: look carefully; “beware of”: be on guard, watch; “covetousness”: greediness, hunger for more; “life”: the life of spirit (zoe); “the things he possesses”: belongings, possessions.

   Literal Meaning: “Take heed and beware of covetousness” This sentence shows that that man asked the Lord Jesus to help him to divide the inheritance (v.13-14) with the motivation of “covetousness” towards treasure.

  “For one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” “One’s life” indicates one’s enjoyment and joy of the spiritual life; one’s true blessing and joy do not consist in the possession of the abundant material wealth.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord did not make Himself “a judge or an arbitrator” (See v.14) and towards men He only mentioned “life”. When we are confronted with difficulties in the assembly, we should try our best to provide men life and should avoid caring about the right and wrong.

2) In Him was life and the life was the light of men (John. 1:4). Only Christ is able to truly solve all the problems of men’s life.

3) The man who possesses the abundant wealth and only spends it for himself is not happier than the man who is glad to lead a simple and pious life.

4) The world holds that the improvement of the material civilization should owe to the unlimited material desire of human beings and the so-called “covetousness” is the strongest driving force of “life”. However, it makes human life drop from the spiritual range to the range of the material desire, thus depriving the real meaning and purpose of human lives.

 

Luke. 12:16 “Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.

   YLT: “And he spake a simile unto them, saying, ‘Of a certain rich man the field brought forth well;”

   Literal Meaning: “then He spoke a parable to them” The Lord spoke this parable in order to explain the reason why “one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (See v.15).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “A certain rich” is the one who “possesses plentiful belongings”. However, whether one’s life is abundant does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.

2) There are many “rich men” in the world. Apparently they possess plentiful belongings and actually they are possessed by the plentiful belongings------they become “slaves of riches” from the “rich men”.

 

Luke. 12:17 “And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?'

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

   Meaning of Words: “crops”: fruits, farm product.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) There isn’t the completely and safe room on earth to store the crops because thieves may approach and moth may destroy and therefore it’s better to store them in heaven (See v.33).

2) The belly of the poor, the families of widows and the mouths of orphans who cry piteously for food are the everlasting barn.

 

Luke. 12:18 “So he said, I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.

   YLT: “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,”

   Literal Meaning: please note that this rich man only cares about “I…I…I…” and “my…my…my…” (See v.17-19). He is the one who is “self”-centered, relies on “his own property” and focus on “his own happiness”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Building greater” is the worldly way and it is also the main reason for individuals and companies to declare the bankruptcy. It is the spiritual way to entrust the wealth to the Lord to handle.

2) Believers should know that the property is not “mine” but that the property is instructed to us by God to mange. We are not the possessors of the property but the managers.

 

Luke. 12:19 “And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’”

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

   Meaning of Words: “soul”: the life of soul (psuche); “take your ease”: take rest, refresh. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) This rich man thinks that his “soul” could be nourished by “eating and drinking”. He does not know that “eating and drinking” could only nourish his “body” and sometimes it even corrupts the “soul”.

2) Worldly goods are all vanities and they cannot be treated as the reliance of one’s life. Our hope is in God (See Ps. 39:5-7).

 

Luke. 12:20 “But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'

   YLT: “`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?”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is all together foolish to operate and plan for the worldly and material things (v.17-19) and want to take deeply root on the earth for long------no matter they are the worldly things and the things of “the church”.

2) “Fool” is the one who attends to trifles and neglects the essentials------he only prepares for the external things and does not prepare for the internal things------his own soul.

3) “Then whose will those things be which you have provided?” We should also ask ourselves that if we meet the Lord today or the Lord comes today, will all that we have done on earth be unto the Lord? Or shall they be fallen into the hand of the devil?

 

Luke. 12:21So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.’”

   YLT: “so [is] he who is treasuring up to himself, and is not rich toward God.’”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) From this verse we could know that treasure could not make us rich toward God. Men’s value toward God is truly measured according to what he “is” instead of what he “possesses”.

2) Those who only take forethought for the flesh are not rich toward God. Those who know how to take forethought for the soul of his own and others are rich toward God.

3) Those who are rich toward God are those who are rich in faith (See James. 2:5).

 

Luke. 12:22 “Then He said to His disciples, Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.

   YLT: “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;”

   Meaning of Words: “life”: the life of soul (psuche); “worry about”: distract. ”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Since God has given us life, He will care about the needs of life and since He has created bodies for us, He will care about the needs of our bodies. In Him we live and move and have our being (See Acts. 17:24-28).

2) It is a sin that believers worry about food and drink and clothing because worry shows that they do not trust in God’s care.

3) On one hand the Lord asks us to pray for our daily bread (See 11:3); on the other, He asks us not to worry about food and clothing. Prayer is the manifestation of belief. If one asks, he should trusts that He will assuredly give him. Worry is the expression of unbelief.

4) Do not worry about food and clothing. This does not ask us to sit idly and wait for God’s provision. The faith of Christians does not encourage us to be lazy (See 2Thess. 3:10-12). Believers should do what they deserve to do diligently for the needs of living and then put their future in the hand of God.

 

Luke. 12:23 “Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

   YLT: “the life is more than the nourishment, and the body than the clothing.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) There is a great crisis in Christians’ life that they regard food and clothing as the first importance of living and they even neglect their meaning of living on the earth.

2) None of us lives to himself and we live to the Lord (Rom. 14:7-8). We should not forget that we live with the aim of serving the Lord.

3) As long as we truly take the responsibility as the servants of the Lord, the Lord will assuredly take the responsibility as our Lord and He will provide us the needs of living.

4) Believers should not let their body become the lord of their life. The body is not the lord but the servant.

 

Luke. 12:24 “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?

   YLT: “`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?”

Controversial Clarification: here the Lord did not meant that we should not labor for life (See Gen. 3:17). He did not tell us that we should not work to make a living. If a man does not like to work, neither let him eat (2Thess. 3:10). The Lord meant that our provision lies in the hand of God and therefore we should live by trusting in God instead of ourselves.

   Spiritual Meaning: “the birds of the air” symbolizes heavenly life with faith.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A life by faith keeps aloof like birds of the air that they neither run for themselves (“they neither sow”) nor save for themselves (“nor reap”).

2) A life by faith is that we have nothing except “God”------He is the lord who “feeds” me.

 

Luke. 12:25 “And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

   YLT: “and who of you, being anxious, is able to add to his age one cubit?”

   Meaning of Words: “worry”: be anxious about, take thought.

Literal Meaning: Our length of life and stature are decided by God and men’s worry won’t change God’s arrangements. Our worry is unhelpful and therefore there is no need to worry in vain.

   Enlightenment in the Word: we neither increase the fleshly life by worrying nor enlarge and improve the spiritual life by artificial ways. All lie in God’s sovereignty and mercy.

 

Luke. 12:26 “If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?

   YLT: “If, then, ye are not able for the least why for the rest are ye anxious?”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) There is no need to worry about things that we are able to do. Worrying about things that we are unable to do is useless. The most useless thing in the world is worrying.

2) “Worry” is unbelief towards God. God wants us to be carful about nothing (Pill. 4:6).

 

Luke. 12:27 “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

   YLT: “`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;”

   The Background: “even Solomon in all his glory” The days of Solomon were the most prosperous period in the history of Israel. At that time the kingdom was the strongest, the territory was the vastest and the enjoyment was the most luxurious (See. 1Kings. 4:20-28).

   Spiritual Meaning: “lilies” symbolizes a life by faith that is under the care of God and without any artificial work (S. of Sol 2:1-2).

What Solomon “was arrayed” symbolizes the best artificial one; “like one of these” symbolizes what is made by God’s hand.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A life by faith is pure as lilies of the field, without any artificial work (“they neither toil”) or decoration (“nor spin”), but only resting in the care of God.

2) The birds of the air and lilies of the field both testify the principle of God’s grace------receiving freely instead of gaining by labor.

3) Any man-made achievement cannot compare with anything that grows up in life.

 

Luke. 12:28 “If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

   YLT: “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?”

   The Background: “the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven” Men in the Middle East usually burned grasses to heat oven of clay.   Literal Meaning: God so clothes the grass of the field that is of no use. Therefore God will assuredly care about us according to our use before God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Our life by faith should rest in “today” that is arranged by God.

2) Men are the center of God’s creatures. All things exist for the provisions to men. If believers know our status in God’s heart, we will not worry about their living.

3) Having faith towards God will save us from many useless worries. If someone does have faith (or has little faith) towards God, how miserable his life will be!

 

Luke. 12:29And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.

   YLT: “`And ye seek not what ye may eat, or what ye may drink, and be not in suspense,”

   Meaning of Words: “an anxious mind”: be of doubtful mind, be anxious.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Once believers worry about food and drink and clothing, he loses his use. Those who are full of worries cannot be used by God and cannot partake in God’s work.

2) Believers have to do their duties of life and should not worry about life.

 

Luke. 12:30 “For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.

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

   Literal Meaning: “For all these things the nations of the world seek after” “the nations of the world”: the world who neither knows God nor believes in the Lord. What believers seek after should be different from what common people seek after.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The world does not know God and therefore they worry about life. We could cast all our care upon Him (1Pet. 5:7).

2) God is the Father of believers. He is the fountainhead of every good gift and every perfect gift and He surely will give us what we need (James.1:17).

3) God will give us what we “need” and He is unwilling to give us what we “seek after” (what we love and hope for).

 

Luke. 12:31 “But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

   YLT: “but, seek ye the reign of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Literal Meaning: Here it is “seeking” in life instead of “asking” in prayer. We should live a life with an attitude of seeking the kingdom of God------let God reign us in our life (“the kingdom of God”).

“All these things shall be added to you” As long as citizens of the kingdom of God seek the kingdom of God, they will gain the kingdom of God and additionally, their daily necessities.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “The kingdom of God” is God’s authority. Seeking the kingdom of God is seeking to obey God’s authority.

2) Believers’ life should be controlled by God (live in the reality of the kingdom of God). In this way, men will see the kingdom of God from us.

3) It is meaningless to have a zero first and other numbers simply added to it. You must firstly have an effective number for other numbers to follow. You have to seek first the kingdom of God and then He will add food and clothing to you.

4) Those who seek the kingdom of God are the richest in the world.

5) God minds the needs of those who mind the things of God.

 

Luke. 12:32Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

   YLT: “`Fear not, little flock, because your Father did delight to give you the reign;”

   Literal Meaning: “little flock” It shows that true believers are a small minority of the world.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Little flock” The “little” shows that the assembly on earth is always lowly, hidden and despised by men. The “flock” shows that the assembly is corporate and inseparable and it is the body of commune.

2) “For it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It tells us that as long as we seek the kingdom of God with our hearts, God will assuredly make us live in the reality of the kingdom of God and enjoy the authority and power of the kingdom of God so as to overcome the power of darkness. Therefore nothing could make us “fear”.

 

Luke. 12:33 “Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

   YLT: “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;”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Giving the treasure to the poor, especially the poor saints, is to provide oneself treasure in the heavens (Matt. 19:21; Rom. 15:26; 2Cor. 9:9).

2) When believers lay up treasure in the heavens, they actually open a bank account in the heavens. And when we are in need, we could withdraw what we need from God. It is possible for the banks on earth to go bankrupt, however, the bank in the heavens is reliable forever. 

3) Every cent that we spend for the Lord today has the everlasting value.

4) The treasure on earth has one feature that it could be stolen and destroyed and therefore it is unworthy for us to spend too much effort, energy and time on it and we should not fully rely on it.

 

Luke. 12:34 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

   YLT: “for where your treasure is, there also your heart will be.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men’s hearts are related to the treasure. If we want to convey our hearts into heaven, we have to lay up our treasure in heaven at first. Treasure goes into heaven first and hearts follow the treasure.

2) What mostly attracts one’s heart is treasure. If we only lay up our treasure on earth, our hearts will only mind things on earth. On the contrary, if we lay our treasure in heaven, our hearts will be attracted every day and mind things in heaven.

3) The kingdom of God is in the midst of you (See 17:21). The throne of God should be in our hearts. We should not let treasure replace the status of God in our hearts.

4) We may quickly know where one’s treasure is by his conversation. If one’s treasure is in heaven, he will talk about things in heaven very soon. If one’s treasure is on the earth, soon he will talk at length about mineral, speculating business, stocks, interest rate and etc.

 

Luke. 12:35Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;

   YLT: “`Let your loins be girded, and the lamps burning,”

   The Background: “let your waist be girded” Men in the land of the Middle East often wear loose, long and wavering clothes. When they work, they have to “let their waist be girded” so that they would move freely.

   Spiritual Meaning: “let your waist be girded” It symbolizes that one is ready to receive the commands to move at all times.

  “You lamps burning” It symbolizes that one keeps the testimony of life (See Matt. 25:1).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) In the generation of darkness, believers bear the witness of Christ (“lamps burning”) as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life (Pill. 2:15-16). And then they would walk out of the world step by step in order to meet the coming Christ.

2) Believers are the light of the world. We should let “our lamps” “burning” constantly so as to glorify God the Father (See Matt. 5:15-16).

 

Luke. 12:36 “and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.

   YLT: “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.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers’ “mission” is to wait for our Lord. Preparing to meet the second coming of the Lord is the essential attitude that we should have in our life. 

2) Only those who watch and “wait” for the master could hear the voice of the Lord’s knocking and then could immediately open the door for Him (See Rev. 3:20).

 

Luke. 12:37 “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.

   YLT: “`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;”

   Meaning of Words: “come”: come aside; “serve”: minister, provide, supply, take care of.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord not only ministers us in this life but also ministers us in future. He ministers us from His death on the cross forth and for evermore.

2) The Lord had ministered us on the cross with His life (See Mark. 10:45). In this life, the Lord serves us in the Holy Spirit (John. 16:7) and in future the Lord will serve us by “Himself”.

3) We not only owed the Lord for one time and have been freely given grace. We owe the Lord forever and we are those who enjoy grace forever.

 

Luke. 12:38 “And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

   YLT: “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.”

   The Background: at that time the Romans had divided the night into four watches and the Jews three watches (See Judg. 7:19). According to the Roman chronometry, the first watch was from six o’clock to nine o’clock in the evening; the second watch was from nine o’clock to the midnight; the third watch was from midnight to three o’clock early in the morning; the fourth watch was from three o’clock to six o’clock early in the morning. However, according to the Jewish chronometry, the first watch was from nine o’clock to the midnight; the second watch was from the midnight to three o’clock in the morning; the third watch was from three o’clock in the morning to six o’clock.

   Literal Meaning: if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch” It indicates late at night or early in the morning when men sleep soundly.

 

Luke. 12:39 “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

   YLT: “`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;”

   Meaning of Words: “know”: be aware of, feel (the first “know” in this verse indicates the objective knowledge and the second “know” indicates the inner subjective knowledge).

   Literal Meaning: “if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come.” The thief has two features: a) he comes when men are careless; b) he specially steals things that are precious.

   Spiritual Meaning: “the master of the house” typifies believers; “the house” indicates our spirits, souls and bodies, i.e. our behaviors and work; “the thief” typifies the Lord Jesus who comes suddenly just like the thief; “his house to be broken into” typifies to prove everything after we have been saved.

  The Lord’s second coming happens unpredictably and He will take believers who are spiritually mature.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Jessie Penn-Lewis said, “Christians should watch from the first day of their Christian life”. We should be watchful of the enemy, the world and ourselves.

2) To the Jews, rapture is the sign of the end of the age; to believers who are left, the days of suffering hardship come to them.

 

Luke. 12:40 “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’”

   YLT: “and ye, then, become ye ready, because at the hour ye think not, the Son of Man doth come.’”

   Literal Meaning: “therefore you also be ready.” This verse follows closely after v.39 and therefore “be ready” means to watch and guard against the thief.

  “The Son of Man is coming” “The Son of Man” is the Lord’s title in the kingdom (See Matt.19:28; John. 5:27-29), and He reigns as a man.

   Enlightenment in the Word: we must make us “be ready” and hope to grow up and be mature in the Lord and we should also “watch” and live piously in the Lord.

 

Luke. 12:41 “Then Peter said to Him, Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?’”

   YLT: “And Peter said to him, `Sir, unto us this simile dost thou speak, or also unto all?’”

   Literal Meaning: Peter asked the Lord that to whom the Lord said this parable of watching, however, the Lord’s answer implied that “the faithful and wise steward” (v.42) was “the master of the house” (v.39). It shows that the parable is said to those who admit that they are God’s stewards, i.e. believers.

   Enlightenment in the Word: we should never read the Bible for others and we should read the Bible for ourselves. The Lord’s word only takes effort in those who apply the word in themselves.

 

Luke. 12:42 “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

   YLT: “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?”

   Literal Meaning: “who then is that faithful and wise steward” “Faithful” is towards the Lord, i.e. living up to what the Lord has entrusted one; “wise” is towards brothers, i.e. knowing what others are in need of.

  “Whom his master will make ruler over his household.” This sentence shows that the source of service is the Lord and it is not of the “individual” or “corporate” sending.

  “Ruler” does not mean to lord over but to look after (See 1Pet. 5:2-3); “household” indicates believers (See Eph. 2:19). The identity of believers before God is the household of God on one hand and on the other His servants. We should not think that only the so-called “pastors and preachers” who serve the Lord full-time are the Lord’s servants.

  “Give them their portion of food in due season.” Every believer, no matter he is great or not, has a duty in the house of God (the church)------sharing spiritual provision with saints who are around him according to God’s season, for example: praying for weak members, sharing with others the enlightenment that he has received, visitation and concern with love and etc.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Faithful” means that one does not discount the Lord’s words and we shall do as the Lord has said; “wise” means that one cares about the need of men and supplies men what they need.

2) It is unfaithful that believers hold their own opinions as right; it is not wise that believers do not care about others’ need and give all that they have to others randomly.

3) Our trouble is that: someone may be faithful and unwise; someone may be unfaithful and wise; someone may be unfaithful and unwise and all these conditions make us be unable to perform our duties.

4) “Giving their portion of food” is to provide God’s words and things to others so that they would receive the nourishment of life.

5) Someone “gives others their portion of food” according to his mood and joy, however, the Lord’s word demands us to “give others their portion of food in due season”------do not let others go hungry and give their potion of food with persistence.

 

Luke. 12:43 “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

   YLT: “Happy that servant, whom his lord, having come, shall find doing so;”

   Literal Meaning: “when he comes” indicates the time when the Lord Jesus comes for the second time.

  “Blessed is that servant” The “blessing” is not the blessing of this life but the reward of the kingdom.

 

Luke. 12:44 “Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

   YLT: “truly I say to you, that over all his goods he will set him.”

   Literal Meaning: “he will make him ruler over all that he has.” It means to gain the authority over cities in the reality of the kingdom (See 19:17-19).

   Enlightenment in the Word: if believers cannot “rule one’s household” today (See v.42), it is impossible to “rule all that he has” in future; today what the Lord has entrusted us is only for us to practice and exercise and make preparations for gaining more commissions in future. 

 

Luke. 12:45 “But if that servant says in his heart, My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,

   YLT: “`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;”

   Literal Meaning: if that servant says in his heart, My master is delaying his coming.'” “That servant” does not indicate the one who has not been saved because he confesses that the Lord Jesus is “my master” “in his heart”.

  “And begins to beat the male and female servants” “Male and female servants” indicate brothers and sisters who are fellow-servants. Believers are fellow-partakers in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus (See Rev. 1:9). “Begins to beat” may not indicate beating with hands. All that we make Saints feel sad, hurt and be offended with words and attitudes could be counted as “beating”.

  “And to eat and drink and be drunk” “Be drunk” indicates to be greedy of the present world and be libertine and unrestrained (See Eph. 5:15-18).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The reason why the servant is evil is that he thinks that the Lord must “be delaying His coming”; he who does not have the right knowledge of the Lord’s second coming may become an evil servant.

2) He who does not believe that the Lord comes quickly is the evil servant; some evil servants say that the Lord must come quickly with their mouths, however, in their hearts they think that the Lord must be “delaying His coming”.

3) We should have the attitude and wish for the quick coming of the Lord and therefore we should always pray, “come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 22:20).

4) We should never tread or hurt brothers and sisters who are our fellow-workers.

5) If we do not set forth the Lord’s second coming before our eyes, we may easily loosen ourselves and on one hand we may owe believers and make them feel hurt by words and attitudes and on the other we may associate with those who are of the world and the flesh and seek the pleasures of sins.

 

Luke. 12:46 “the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

   YLT: “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.”

   Literal Meaning: “appoint him his portion with the unbelievers” “portion” means to have the same share.

 

Luke. 12:47 “And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

   YLT: “`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,”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is required by the Lord from us, that firstly we should “know His will” and secondly we should “do according to His will”. One does after he has known it. Since one has known it, he has to do according to it.

2) Many people read and research the Bible and hear others’ preachment in order to satisfy their curiosity and hunger for knowledge. However, they are unwilling to do according to it and this kind of people “shall be beaten with many stripes”.

 

Luke. 12:48 “But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

   YLT: “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.”

   Meaning of Words: “commit”: entrust, deposit.

   Literal Meaning: “but he who did not know…shall be beaten with few.” Please note: it is not that he who did not know “shall not be beaten” but that he who did not know “shall be beaten with few”. Believers should never avoid pursuing the knowledge of truth for these two verses because our aim is to gain the reward instead of “being beaten”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord rewards and punishments according to His requirements towards each one instead of one’s comparison with the other. One may be better than the other, however, he may not receive the Lord’s reward. Probably, one committed fewer things that deserve strips than the other, however, he may not be beaten with few.

2) Men consider the outward behaviors and the Lord values the inner faithfulness.

3) The principle of the Lord’s demand on believers: He gives men first and then He asks from men. To whom much is given, from him much will be required and vice versa.

 

Luke. 12:49I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

   YLT: “`Fire I came to cast to the earth, and what will I if already it was kindled?”

   Literal Meaning: “I came to send fire on the earth” “fire” has two meanings: 1) judgment (See 3:17) and “send fire on the earth” indicates God’s judgment towards sins, the world and the flesh; 2) being fervent in spirit (See Rom. 12:11; Acts. 18:25) and “send fire on the earth” indicates to make men be fervent in God, gospel and truth.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If all the negative things in us have not been purified by fire today, they will be burnt by fire in future (See 1Cor. 3:13).

2) How urgent the Lord is that He wishes us to be fervent in spirit! We should never be Christians who are neither cold nor hot (See Rev. 3:15-16)! We should pray the Lord to stir up us (2Tim. 1:6).

 

Luke. 12:50 “But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!

   YLT: “but I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I pressed till it may be completed!”

   Meaning of Words: “distressed”: constrain, compress, be compelled.

   Spiritual Meaning: “I have a baptism to be baptized with” “baptism” indicates the suffering of the cross.

  “And how distressed I am” When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He was constrained by the flesh. He has to remove the shackles of the flesh by the death on the cross so as to release His divine life, bring forth much fruits (John. 12:24) and reach the aim of reproduction.

 

Luke. 12:51 “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.

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

   Meaning of Words: “peace”: reconciliation; “division”: disunion.

   Spiritual Meaning: “but rather division” Christ’s salvation makes believers have the Holy Spirit in themselves and be born from above and have the life of God and consequently on one hand, there is the internal struggle (within oneself) (Gal. 5:17), on the other, there is the external struggle (with others).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christ’s coming certainly breaks off the earthly and interpersonal relations. If the relation has not been broken off, it proves that work of the Lord’s grace is not enough.

2) The reason why men are unable to live in peace with each other because God and men are unable to live in peace with each other. If men have not been reconciled with God, men are unable to be reconciled with men.

3) The Lord came into the world to replace men’s natural life with the life of God.

 

Luke. 12:52 “For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three.

   YLT: “for there shall be henceforth five in one house divided three against two, and two against three;”

   Literal Meaning: it is usual that in one house some people believe in the Lord and the others are against the Lord and consequently the division and conflict comes into being.

 

Luke. 12:53 “Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.’”

   YLT: “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.’”

   Literal Meaning: the Lord here did not mean that believers should not love their parents and family members. He meant that the Lord is among us, our parents and family members, if the relation between one part and the Lord is wrong, there will be problem among them. However, if the whole family magnifies the Lord, the family life of believers is much happier than that of the world.

  The verse means that who mostly hinder one from loving the Lord whole-heartedly is usually the one in his household. 

   Spiritual Meaning: parents are the root of children’s natural life and therefore setting a man “against” his parents is cutting off the root of men’s natural life.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When living in the world, it is impossible for one to live in peace with one who opposes the Lord, otherwise there will be something wrong between him and the Lord.

2) Those who follow the Lord firmly will not be understood by his own household. Because the power of darkness behind unbelievers is against the heavenly king and it makes that earthly men hate heavenly men.

3) The Lord came to gain men’s highest place in their hearts. Originally men’s highest place in their hearts is their parents and mother-in-law. But the Lord came and men have to give the highest place to Him. In order to serve the Lord, the interpersonal relations should be regarded as secondary.

4) Men could not love both the Lord and his family members. If believers love the Lord, their family members who are unbelievers will be jealousy and jealous makes hatred. Family members hate the Lord first and then they treat us as enemies. 

5) Those who truly serve the Lord will assuredly be despised by men with who they used to have intimate relations------“his own household”.

 

Luke. 12:54 “Then He also said to the multitudes, Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, A shower is coming'; and so it is.

   YLT: “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;”

   The Background: the Mediterranean Sea is in the west of the land of Palestine. The clouds from the sea would bring moisture and probably it will rain.

 

Luke. 12:55 “And when you see the south wind blow, you say, There will be hot weather'; and there is.

   YLT: “and when a south wind blowing, ye say, that there will be heat, and it is;”

   The Background: Arabian Desert is in the south of the land of Palestine and therefore “the south wind” indicates the hot wind from the wild desert.

   Enlightenment in the Word: in the spiritual way, sometimes it is sunny------it is full of the Lord’s presence and blessings and everything goes smoothly; sometimes there is “a shower” and the “hot” “south wind”------the adverse circumstances. Anyway, we should always hold on Christ.

 

Luke. 12:56 “Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

   YLT: “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]?”

   Meaning of Words: “discern”: test, approve; “face”: appearance, countenance. 

   Literal Meaning: “the face of the sky and of the earth” indicates the weather and the climate.

  “Do not discern this time?” It indicates that they do not discern the signs of this time: a) John the Baptist had already come and declared men the coming of the Messiah (See 3:15-17); b) the Lord Jesus Himself declared that He is the Messiah (See 4:17-19). These are the signs of this time, however, men were still obstinate and impervious.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Today the unbelievers are able to see the phenomena of the universe, however, they could not see God who creates the heaven and the earth (See Acts. 17:23-24).

2) Today though the liberal Christians read the Bible, they cannot find Christ in the Bible (See John. 5:39-40).

3) Natural men only know to discern the natural signs (“the face of the sky and of the earth”) and couldn’t discern the spiritual signs (“discern this time”) because they do not have the spiritual sights (See 1Cor. 2:10-15).

 

Luke. 12:57Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?

   YLT: “`And why, also, of yourselves, judge ye not what is righteous?”

   Meaning of Words: “judge”: condemn, conclude; “right”: just, meet, righteous.

 

Luke. 12:58 “When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.

   YLT: “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;”

   Literal Meaning: there is “for” in the original in the beginning of this verse, showing that this verse is the continuance of verse 57, in other words, this verse is the basis by which they judge whether it is right.

   Spiritual Meaning: “with your adversary” “Adversary” on one hand indicates those whom we offend and on the other indicates the Law (See John. 5:45).

  “Along the way” indicates the time we live in the world to run on the race into the heaven.

  “Lest he drag you to the judge” “the judge” indicates Christ (See John. 5:22; Acts. 17:31).

  “The judge deliver you to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.” “Officer”: angels. “Prison”: the place where believers are punished in future.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) What accuses the Jews is the Law and what accuses those who do not have the Law is the consciousness (See Rom. 2:12-15). Anyway, we will hand over the accounts before the judgment-seat of Christ one day (Matt. 25:31-32).

2) The door of “salvation” is not open forever and the door of “reconciliation” is not either. We have to remove every rancor towards “the adversary” while we are alive.

3) “When you go with your adversary...along the way” “Adversary” indicates the brother who has something against us (See Matt. 5:23). It shows that if anyone of the two parties passes away, it will be too late for them to be reconciled. Therefore, we should be reconciled to others as soon as possible. We should never procrastinate. 

4) Confession and reconciliation among brothers have nothing to do with salvation but has something to do with the reward in future.

 

Luke. 12:59 “I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.’”

   YLT: “I say to thee, thou mayest not come forth thence till even the last mite thou mayest give back.’”

   The Background: at that time, the Roman and Greek coins were in common use in the land of Palestine. “The very last mite” indicates one lepton (the Greek currency system) which is equivalent to half a kodrantes (the Roman currency system). One mite is equivalent to one fourth of a copper coin (See v.6).

   Literal Meaning: This verse shows what the citizens of the kingdom of heaven owe to others will be paid off. Ever if it is a small thing that we owe to others, it must be paid off clearly.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) All that we owe to others must be paid off sooner or later. If we do not pay off them on the way, we have to pay off them in the prison. Therefore the earlier we pay off what we owe to others, the better it will be to us.

       2) No matter how much we owe to others, we do owe to others. And all that we owe to others must be paid off.

3) Believers should deal with all things that owe to the glory of God while they are alive, lest they shall be punished by God.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

How to Speak and Walk before Men

I. Do not be hypocritical (v.1-3).

II. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do (v.4-5).

III. Trust and rely on God’s care (v.6-7).

IV. Confess the Lord before men (v.8-9).

V. Do not blaspheme the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say (v.10-12).

 

How to Treat Treasure and Living

I. Do not be covetous, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses (v.13-15).

II. Do not be the one who lay up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (v.16-21).

III. Do not worry about food and clothing and one should seek the kingdom of God (v.22-32).

IV. Lay up treasure in the heaven (v.33-34).

 

A “Foolish” Man

I. He seeks the abundance of the things he possesses and does not care about his life (v.13-15).

II. He only wants to store crops and goods in his heart (v.16-18):

  A. He does not know to store in money bags which do not grow old (v.33a).

  B. He lays up the treasure in places where thief approaches and moth destroys (v.33b).

III. He thinks that he could make his soul take ease and be merry by goods (v.19).

IV. He is a foolish man in the eyes of God:

  A. Because he could not make full use of the goods that he possesses------what shall I do (v.17)?

  B. Because he will not use what he stores------this night your soul will be required of you (v.20).

  C. Because what he stores is useless before God------he is not rich towards God (v.21).

 

The Attitude and Knowledge of Those Who Serve the Lord

I. Watch and wait for the second coming of the Lord (v.35-40).

II. Be the faithful and wise steward (v.41-44).

III. Do not be the wicked servant who beats the male and female servants (v.45-48).

IV. Know that he may be opposed by his closest family members if he serves the Lord (v.49-53).

V. Discern this time (v.54-57).

VI. When you go with your adversary, make every effort along the way to settle with him (v.58-59).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren