Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Luke 12:38
12:38 [bondmen]. (a-22) 'Bondmen' is doubtful. This would make 'those' more emphatic. read more
Luke 12:27-40
John Darby
John Dummelow
John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:1-59
The Leaven of the Pharisees. The Rich Fool1-12. Jesus warns His followers against Pharisaic hypocrisy, and exhorts them to be courageous in face of opposition. This speech is not unsuitable to the context in St. Luke, but the whole of the sayings are found also in St. Matthew’s Gospel, generally in a more natural connexion (mostly in the charge to the Twelve, Luke 10:5-42). Perhaps St. Luke here groups together savings spoken at different times.1. When there were] RV ’when the many thousands of... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 12:27-31
(27-31) Consider the lilies how they grow.—See Notes on Matthew 6:28-33. There are, however, some noticeable variations, as (1) in Luke 12:27, in the better MSS., they spin not, they weave not; (2) the use in Luke 12:29 of a new verb, “Neither be ye of doubtful mind.” The word is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, and is so far characteristic of St. Luke’s special culture. But its etymology and its classical use make it equivalent to “Be not tossed to and fro like a ship out on the open... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 12:32
(32) Fear not, little flock.—The words continue to be spoken to the inner circle of the disciples. They are “the little flock” (the Greek has the article) to whom the Father was pleased to give the kingdom which is “righteousness and peace and joy.” There is an implied recognition of the fact, that the “flock” had passed beyond the stage of seeking for the kingdom. In its essence it was theirs already.It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.—Literally, Your Father was... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 12:33
(33) Sell that ye have.—In its generalised form the precept is peculiar to St. Luke, but it has its parallel in the command given to the young ruler. (See Note on Matthew 19:21.) It was clearly one of the precepts which his own characteristic tendencies led him to record (see Introduction), and which found its fulfilment in the overflowing love that showed itself in the first days of the Church of the Apostles (Acts 2:45). Subsequent experience may have modified the duty of literal obedience,... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 12:34
(34) For where your treasure is.—See Note on Matthew 6:21. read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 12:35
(35) Let your loins be girded . . .—To “gird up the loins” was, in Eastern habits and with Eastern garments, the received symbol of readiness for active service (Luke 12:37; Luke 17:8; 1 Kings 18:46; 2 Kings 1:8; John 13:4; 1 Peter 1:13). The “lights” are the lamps (as in Matthew 5:15) which the watchful hold in their hands. What follows has the interest of presenting the germ of the thought which was afterwards developed into the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. (See Notes on Matthew... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 12:37
(37) He shall gird himself.—The words give a new significance to the act of our Lord in John 13:4. Their real fulfilment is to be found, it need hardly be said, in the far-off completion of the Kingdom, or in the ever-recurring experiences which are the foretastes of that Kingdom; but the office which He then assumed must have reminded the disciples of the words which are recorded here, and may well have been intended to be at once a symbol and an earnest of what should be hereafter. In the... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 12:38
(38) And if he shall come in the second watch.—In Mark 13:35 we have the Roman four-fold division of the night. (See Note there.) Here we find the older Jewish division into three watches. (Judges 7:19, 1 Samuel 11:11.) read more
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Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Luke 12:32
12:32 not, (e-2) There is an emphatic article here, impossible to translate into English. '[you who are] the little flock.' It is the character Christ gives to them as attached to him in the midst of the world. read more