Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 12:14

"But he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" — Luke 12:14 (ASV)

A person who recognized Jesus as a “teacher” would naturally expect him to have the ability to render a judgment in ethical matters. Rabbis were often consulted in this manner. Jesus’ refusal to answer is not a denial of his right or ability to answer, nor of his concern for social and ethical matters. Rather, he turns directly to an area in which others have no right to judge (cf. Matthew 7:1)— namely, the question of motivation.