21. So is he, c.—Such is a picture of his folly here, and of its awful issue. and is not rich toward God—lives to amass and enjoy riches which terminate on self, but as to the riches of God's favor, which is life ( :-), of "precious" faith (2 Peter 1:1 James 2:5), of good works (James 2:5- :), of wisdom which is better than rubies (James 2:5- :) —lives and dies a beggar! read more
25, 26. which of you, &c.—Corroding solicitude will not bring you the least of the things ye fret about, though it may double the evil of wanting them. And if not the least, why vex yourselves about things of more consequence? read more
29. of doubtful, c.—unsettled mind put off your balance. read more
32. little flock, c.—How sublime and touching a contrast between this tender and pitying appellation, "Little flock" (in the original a double diminutive, which in German can be expressed, but not in English)—and the "good pleasure" of the Father to give them the Kingdom the one recalling the insignificance and helplessness of that then literal handful of disciples, the other holding up to their view the eternal love that encircled them, the everlasting arms that were underneath them, and the... read more
33, 34. Sell, &c.—This is but a more vivid expression of :- (see on :-). read more
D. The instruction of the disciples in view of Jesus’ rejection 12:1-13:17Teaching of the disciples continues as primary in this part of the third Gospel (Luke 9:51 to Luke 19:10). Jesus’ words to them at the beginning of the present section (Luke 12:1 to Luke 13:17) broadened to include the crowds toward the end."The coming judgment and the need for proper preparation are the threads that tie all of chapter 12 together." [Note: M. Bailey, p. 129.] read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:20
20, 21. this night, &c.—This sudden cutting short of his career is designed to express not only the folly of building securely upon the future, but of throwing one's whole soul into what may at any moment be gone. "Thy soul shall be required of thee" is put in opposition to his own treatment of it, "I will say to my soul, Soul," &c. whose shall those things be, &c.—Compare Psalms 39:6, "He heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them." read more