Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 12:56

"Ye hypocrites, ye know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that ye know not how to interpret this time?" — Luke 12:56 (ASV)

Jesus now turns from his disciples (v.22) to the crowd with a message on the element of crisis. The words “interpret this present time” imply a crisis by comparing the observation of changing weather with God’s “time” of opportunity and responsibility (cf. also 19:41–44). The word “hypocrites” shows that the people Jesus was speaking to were not sincere in their professed inability to “interpret this present time.” 57–59 Jesus now appeals to human judgment regarding a time of personal decision (cf. Matthew 5:25–26). In human affairs one resolves a crisis situation wisely to avoid penalty. This is a secular illustration, and v.59 should be applied only in its basic application of reconciliation with God before the Day of Judgment.