Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 12
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
Luke 12
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
Luke 12
"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." — Luke 12:1 (ASV)
Again Luke notes the crowds, emphasizing the extremely large size of this one. Jesus addresses the disciples “first”; the crowds received his words later (vv.13–21, 54–59). The key word “hypocrisy” (GK 5694) was triggered by the charges in ch. 11. Jesus compares the insidious way this attitude can influence others to the action of “yeast.” His next words about concealment and disclosure seem at first to be a warning that what hypocrites try to cover up will be revealed (v.2). But vv.3–4 have a positive thrust. Verse 3 is much like Mt 10:26–27, where the disciples are encouraged not to be afraid but to declare publicly what they have heard privately from Jesus (cf. 8:17; Mark 4:22).
"But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known." — Luke 12:2 (ASV)
Again Luke notes the crowds, emphasizing the extremely large size of this one. Jesus addresses the disciples “first”; the crowds received his words later (vv.13–21, 54–59). The key word “hypocrisy” (GK 5694) was triggered by the charges in ch. 11. Jesus compares the insidious way this attitude can influence others to the action of “yeast.” His next words about concealment and disclosure seem at first to be a warning that what hypocrites try to cover up will be revealed (v.2). But vv.3–4 have a positive thrust. Verse 3 is much like Mt 10:26–27, where the disciples are encouraged not to be afraid but to declare publicly what they have heard privately from Jesus (cf. 8:17; Mark 4:22).
"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." — Luke 12:3 (ASV)
Again Luke notes the crowds, emphasizing the extremely large size of this one. Jesus addresses the disciples “first”; the crowds received his words later (vv.13–21, 54–59). The key word “hypocrisy” (GK 5694) was triggered by the charges in ch. 11. Jesus compares the insidious way this attitude can influence others to the action of “yeast.” His next words about concealment and disclosure seem at first to be a warning that what hypocrites try to cover up will be revealed (v.2). But vv.3–4 have a positive thrust. Verse 3 is much like Mt 10:26–27, where the disciples are encouraged not to be afraid but to declare publicly what they have heard privately from Jesus (cf. 8:17; Mark 4:22).
"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." — Luke 12:4 (ASV)
“Friends” is an expression of confidence , one that is antithetical to the hostility of the Pharisees (v.4). Jesus does not guarantee protection from death but affirms that (1) God alone controls our final destiny, and people should “fear” him rather than those who can merely inflict physical death; and that (2) God is intimately aware of all that befalls us. “Hell” (mentioned only here in Luke) is clearly a place of torment (Matthew 5:22; Matthew 18:8–9; see comment on Mk 9:43–48).
Sparrows and hairs are so insignificant that this kind of argument (from lesser to greater) points up the supreme worth of the disciples in God’s eyes.
"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." — Luke 12:5 (ASV)
“Friends” is an expression of confidence , one that is antithetical to the hostility of the Pharisees (v.4). Jesus does not guarantee protection from death but affirms that (1) God alone controls our final destiny, and people should “fear” him rather than those who can merely inflict physical death; and that (2) God is intimately aware of all that befalls us. “Hell” (mentioned only here in Luke) is clearly a place of torment (Matthew 5:22; Matthew 18:8–9; see comment on Mk 9:43–48).
Sparrows and hairs are so insignificant that this kind of argument (from lesser to greater) points up the supreme worth of the disciples in God’s eyes.
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