Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 12

In the meantime. While he was speaking with the scribes and Pharisees, as recorded in the last chapter.

An innumerable multitude. The original word is myriads, or ten thousands. It is used here to signify that there was a great crowd or collection of people, who were eager to hear him.

Multitudes were attracted to the Savior's ministry. It is noteworthy that he never had more people listening to him than when he was most faithful and severe in his reproofs of sinners.

People's consciences are on the side of the faithful reprover of their sins; and though they deeply feel the reproof, they will still respect and hear him who reproves.

To his disciples, first of all. This does not mean that his disciples were, before all others, to avoid hypocrisy, but that this was the first or chief thing that they should beware of. The meaning is this:

"He said to his disciples, Above all things beware," etc.

The leaven. See Barnes on Matthew 16:6.

Which is hypocrisy. See Barnes on Matthew 7:5.

Hypocrisy is like leaven or yeast, because:

1. It may exist without being immediately detected. Leaven mixed in flour is not known until it produces its effects.
2. It is insinuating. Leaven will soon pervade the whole mass. So hypocrisy will, if undetected and unremoved, soon pervade all our spiritual activities and feelings.
3. It is swelling. It puffs us up and fills us with pride and vanity. No one is more proud than the hypocrite, and none is more odious to God. When Jesus cautions them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, he means that they should be cautious about adopting their spirit and becoming like them. The religion of Jesus is one of sincerity, humility, and a complete lack of disguise. The humblest person is the best Christian, and the one who has the least disguise is most like his Master.

Shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. See Barnes on Matthew 20:27.

The custom of making proclamation from the tops or roofs of houses still prevails in the East. Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. i. p. 51, 52) says:

"At the present day, local governors in country districts cause their commands thus to be published. Their proclamations are generally made in the evening, after the people have returned from their labors in the field. The public crier ascends the highest roof nearby, and lifts up his voice in a long-drawn call upon all faithful subjects to give ear and obey. He then proceeds to announce, in a set form, the will of their master, and demand obedience to it."

One of the company. One of the multitude. This man had probably had a dispute with his brother, supposing that his brother had refused to do him justice. Conceiving that Jesus had power over the people—that what he said must be performed—he endeavored to secure him on his side of the dispute and gain his point. From the parable which follows, it would appear that he had no just claim on the inheritance, but was influenced by covetousness. Besides, if he had any just claim, it might have been secured by the laws of the land.

Speak to my brother. Command my brother.

Divide the inheritance. An inheritance is the property which is left by a father to his children. Among the Jews the older brother had two shares, or twice as much as any other child (Deuteronomy 21:17). The remainder was then equally divided among all the children.

Who made me a judge? It is not my business to settle controversies of this kind. They are to be settled by the magistrate. Jesus came for another purpose—to preach the gospel, and so to bring men to a willingness to do right. Civil affairs are to be left to the magistrate.

There is no doubt that Jesus could have told him what was right in this case, but then it would have been interfering with the proper office of the magistrates; it might have led him into controversy with the Jews; and it was, besides, evidently apart from the proper business of his life.

We may remark, also, that the appropriate business of ministers of the gospel is to attend to spiritual concerns. They should have little to do with the temporal matters of the people. If they can persuade men who are at variance to be reconciled, it is right; but they have no power to take the place of a magistrate, and to settle contentions in a legal way.

Beware of covetousness. One of these brothers, no doubt, was guilty of this sin; and our Saviour, as was his custom, took occasion to warn his disciples of its danger.

Covetousness. An unlawful desire for the property of another; also, a desire for gain or riches beyond what is necessary for our wants. It is a violation of the tenth commandment (Exodus 20:17) and is expressly called idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Compare also to Ephesians 5:3 and Hebrews 13:5.

A man's life. The word life is sometimes understood in the sense of happiness or felicity. Some have supposed this to be the meaning here, believing that Jesus meant to say that a man's comfort does not depend on affluence—that is, on more than is necessary for his daily wants. However, this interpretation does not suit the following parable, which is designed to show that property will not prolong a man's life and, therefore, should not be sought too ardently and is of little value. The word life, therefore, is to be taken literally.

Consisteth not. Rather, it does not depend on his possessions. His possessions will not prolong it. The passage, then, means: Do not be anxious about obtaining wealth, for, however much you may obtain, it will not prolong your life. That depends on the will of God, and it requires something besides wealth to make us ready to meet Him. He proceeds to illustrate this sentiment with a beautiful parable.