Luke 12:23-34

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:22-23

Their Attitude Towards Food And Clothing, The Things That Men Seek After ‘And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I say to you, Do not be anxious for your life (soul), what you shall eat, nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. For the life (soul) is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.” The idea here is not that no one need ever worry about anything, or do any more work, for by that means many have starved. It is that those who come under the Kingly Rule of God should not... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:22-34

His Disciples Should Have Their Minds Set On Heavenly Affairs Not Earthly Affairs (12:22-34). Having made clear His position concerning wealth and its use Jesus now turns to those who have little wealth. They can be just as tied up with wealth as a result of having none and being anxious about it, as can the wealthy. They can be equally ‘distorted’, and they equally needed ‘making straight’. Theirs is a different problem. Where is the next meal coming from? Jesus reply is that once they seek... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:24

“Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap, which have no store-chamber nor barn, and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!” In considering such things let them think about the birds, even unclean birds like the ravens (or crows) - Leviticus 11:15. They do not sow nor do they reap. They do not pile up wealth like the rich fool. They do not build up large store-chambers which will last for many years. And yet God feeds them as He promised (see Psalms 147:9).... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:25

“And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to the measure of his life?” The word used here may mean ‘to his measure of life’, for while ‘cubit’ may seem to suggest the length of an object, outside sources do in fact speak of a ‘cubit of time’; and we can compare with this Psalms 39:5 where ‘a handbreadth’ is used to describe the length of days. Or the same word may mean ‘to his stature.’ The former would fit in with the last parable when death came suddenly (compare Psalms 39:4-5). The... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:26

“If then you are not able to do even that which is least, why are you anxious concerning the rest?” So as they cannot do even what is least, add a tiny amount to their length of life (or to their height), why should they spend all their lives worrying about the rest, like the rich fool did, even though he had so much? Worrying about food and clothing is foolish. What they should rather be concerned with is making the most of their lives, of what they themselves are. It should again be noted... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:27

“Consider the flowers, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin, yet I say to you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” A second illustration is given as to clothing. The gorgeous flowers of the field grow beautiful without a lot of toiling and spinning, and yet they even outmatch the glory of the supremely wealthy Solomon. The warning here is against excessive effort like that required to make rich fabrics. To those who follow Him that should be spurned.... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:28

“But if God so clothes the growth in the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?” And God supplies such beauty to what grows in the fields in spite of how temporary their lives are. (For ‘today and tomorrow’ compare Luke 13:32 where it means for a little while). How much more then will He add to our lives the beauty that we seek, the true beauty, and ensure that we are clothed. And yet they should then note that all... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:29-30

“And seek not you what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, neither be you of doubtful mind, for all these things do the nations of the world seek after, but your Father knows that you have need of these things.” The conclusion is therefore that as everything is transient we should not be worried about the daily provisions for our lives. They are of little worth except for survival. And while those are the things that the nations of the world seek after, that is because they have no Father... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:31

“But seek you his Kingly Rule, and these things will be added to you.” So what they should putting all their attention to is rather seeking the Kingly Rule of God. That should take up their full concentration. And then all the remainder will be added to them. Their attention should be on hearing Him and obeying Him, and doing His will. It is in the light of this that all that has gone before makes sense. It does not apply to the nations of the world. It applies only to those who are under His... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:32

As They Seek The Kingly Rule of God And Its Establishment Among Men They Must Recognise That It is Not All Just A Matter Of Numbers. “Fear not, little flock; for your Father was pleased to give you the Kingly Rule.” Jesus saw their thoughts and realised that they were puzzled about how the Kingly Rule of God could come about when they were so few. They had followed Him for some time and numbers had grown promisingly, and then they seemed to have fallen. Now they seemed again but few. And yet,... read more

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:22-23

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:22-34

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:24

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:25

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:26

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:27

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:28

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:29-30

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:31

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:32

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands