Notes on Luke 12:13-34

Luke 12:13-14

See WCF 31.5.

Luke 12:13

It was not uncommon for Jewish people to come to the rabbis and ask for help solving family disputes. They were supposed to know the Law of God and therefore be able to apply it to the various situations in life.

Luke 12:14

Jesus's response might seem surprising. But he was careful to not be distracted from his mission (9:51). Moreover, he knew the man's heart. His request for help was driven by greed (v. 15), not justice (Deut. 21:15-17; Num. 27:1-11; 36:7-9).

Luke 12:15

Greed is not limited to the wealthy. One can be poor and still covet for more. Greed is idolatry (Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:5) — wanting, loving, desiring our possessions more than God. See WLC 142; HC 110.

Luke 12:16-21

Jesus told a parable to warn about greed and explain his response to the man who sought his help (vv. 14-15). WLC 142; HC 110.

Luke 12:16

parable. See note on 8:4.

Luke 12:19

Rest easy, eat, drink, be merry. Sometimes such action is the result of God's blessings (see Ecc. 2:24; 3:13; 5:18; 8:15). Here, it shows that the man is self-centered. He is not mindful of God's blessing and does not live accordingly (v. 20-21; see Exod. 32:6; 2 Sam. 11:11; Isa. 22:12-13; Jer. 16:8).

Luke 12:20

Foolish. The man was foolish because he planned without thinking about God (Ps. 14:1). required. Jesus taught that our life is not our own, but a loan from God our Creator.

Luke 12:21

The man who desired to be rich died poor. He missed out on knowing God, which matters most in this life and the life to come (see Matt. 6:19-21).

Luke 12:22-34

See HC 26.

Luke 12:22

disciples. The promises given by Jesus in these verses (vv. 22-34) are for those who have put their faith in him. Therefore. The negative example of the parable (vv. 16-21) is the basis for Jesus's teaching about trusting God, not possessions (vv. 13-21). do not worry. The basic theme for this section (vv. 22-34). Jesus used several examples of God's provision for lesser things to show he would surely care for his people.

Luke 12:23

The reason we need not worry (v. 22).

Luke 12:24

ravens. Unclean birds under the law of ancient Israel (Lev. 11:13-15; Deut. 14:11-14). If God cares for them (Ps 147:9; Job 38:41), he will surely care for his people.

Luke 12:25

cubit. Unit of measure equaling about 18 in (46 cm). It could also be symbolic for an hour of time.

Luke 12:27

lilies. An unknown kind of a flower. Perhaps, the purple anemone, which reflected a royal color. Solomon. Ancient Israel's king after David (1 Kgs. 2:10-12). His reign was renowned for its splendor (1 Kgs 10:4-5; 2 Chron. 9:5).

Luke 12:28

oven. When wood was unavailable in ancient Israel, grass was often used to burn in fires.

Luke 12:29

Jesus did not mean it was wrong to work and plan to provide for oneself (see 1 Thess. 4:11-12). Instead, he warned against acting like anxious pagans who continually fret over mundane things. God is a Father who provides for his people's needs.

Luke 12:29

Though some Jews will be shut out from the promised kingdom (v. 28), God will offer salvation to the Gentiles (Acts 11:15-18; see Isa. 59:19; Mal. 1:11; Matt. 28:19-20; Rev. 7:9-10).

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