House-tops. Our divine Saviour speaks here according to the custom of his own nation, where it was not uncommon for men to preach from the house-top, when they wished to deliver anything to the public; for their houses had flat roofs. (Ven. Bede) read more
Whosoever shall confess me. By these words we are informed, that more than bare inward protestations of fidelity will be demanded of us; for he moreover requires an exterior confession of our faith. (St. Ambrose) read more
1-12 A firm belief of the doctrine of God's universal providence, and the extent of it, would satisfy us when in peril, and encourage us to trust God in the way of duty. Providence takes notice of the meanest creatures, even of the sparrows, and therefore of the smallest interests of the disciples of Christ. Those who confess Christ now, shall be owned by him in the great day, before the angels of God. To deter us from denying Christ, and deserting his truths and ways, we are here assured that... read more
Luke 12 INSTEAD OF BEING provoked by the vehement opposition of the scribes and Pharisees, the Lord improved the occasion by calmly instructing His disciples in the presence of the enormous crowd, that the controversy had drawn together. He had just been fuming the searchlight of truth on the religious leaders: He now turned the same light on the disciples and their path. In the first place He warned them against the hypocrisy, which He had just been unmasking in the Pharisees. It is indeed a... read more
Warning against Hypocrisy and Covetousness. The leaven of the. Pharisees: v. 1. In the meantime, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, 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. v. 2. For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid that shall not be known. v. 3. Therefore, whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard... read more
True fearlessness: v. 4. 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. v. 5. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him which, after He hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him. v. 6. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? And not one of them is forgotten before God. v. 7. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore; ye are of more... read more
Confessing Christ: v. 8. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; v. 9. but he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. v. 10. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. v. 11. And when they bring you unto the synagogues and unto magistrates and powers, take... read more
4. For what the Disciple of the Saviour has, and for what he has not, to take care (Luke 12:1-34)1In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude [lit., the myriads] of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which Isaiah 2:0 hypocrisy. For [But1] there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, 3that shall not be known. Therefore, whatsoever ye... read more
the Secret of Fearlessness Luke 12:1-12 The program of this paragraph seems dark. The leaven of evil always at work; the body tortured and killed; confession difficult, denial easy; the trials before synagogues and rulers; the anxiety of witnessing a good confession. The Lord never hesitated in stating the heavy tribulation through which His disciples must come to the Kingdom. But what infinite compensations! Not forgotten by God; our hairs numbered; confessed before the angels; taught how... read more
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George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Luke 12:1
Beware ye of the leaven, &c. Christ calls the hypocrisy of the Pharisees heaven, which changes and corrupts the best intentions of men; for nothing is more destructive than hypocrisy to such as give way to it. (Theophylactus) read more