they grow . T Tr. A WI m. omit, and read "how they toil not", &c. toil not, they spin not = neither toil nor spin. T A WI m. read "neither spin nor weave". Solomon . . . was not = not even Solomon was. 1Ki 3:13 ; 1 Kings 10:1-29 . Song of Solomon 3:6-11 . read more
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothe the grass in the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?It should be remembered that Christ was not here denouncing the textile industries. The problem addressed was anxiety; and the argument is that for all of man's feverish anxieties about... read more
3. God’s provisions for disciples 12:22-34 (cf. Matthew 6:25-34)This pericope continues the subject of life and possessions (cf. "treasure" in Luke 12:21; Luke 12:34). What Jesus implied in the parable of the rich fool He explicitly taught in these verses. His disciples should not think or act as the pagan world (Luke 12:30) typified by the rich fool. From emphasis on greed and selfishness Jesus moved to worry, which is related. read more
Jesus turned from zoology to botany to illustrate further the futility of worrying about material possessions. The flowers (Gr. krinon) cannot do anything whatsoever to provide for their own needs. They are totally dependent on God. Still He provides for them and does so magnificently. He gives every common flower more glorious clothing than Solomon, Israel’s most glorious king, could provide for himself. Toiling and spinning to provide clothing seems to be in view. This was women’s work in... read more
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
(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
Luke 12:1 The words follow an account of the Pharisees' attempt to ensnare Jesus, and Weiss's contention is that Jesus warns His disciples, not against the 'simulatio' of the Pharisees, who 'cloaked their real disposition under the appearance of extreme piety, but simply against "dissimulatio" in the sense of Galatians 2:13 , i.e. the temper which would hide its true convictions owing to the fear of man'. The man who practises ὑπόκρισις of any kind plays a part. He is insincere. But his... read more
CHAPTER 12 1. Warning Against Hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1-3 ) 2. Encouragements. (Luke 12:4-14 ) 3. Warning Against Covetousness. (Luke 12:15-21 ) 4. Warning Against Anxiety. (Luke 12:22-31 ) 5. The Disciples Comfort and Hope. (Luke 12:32-40 ) 6. The Parable of the Steward. (Luke 12:41-48 ) 7. The Purpose of God and the Resulting Division. (Luke 12:49-53 ) 8. Concerning signs. (Luke 12:54-57 ) 9. The Failure of Israel. (Luke 12:58-59 .) Luke 12:1-31 Nearly all of the entire twelfth chapter... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 12:22-34
42. Concern about material things (Matthew 6:19-34; Luke 12:22-34)People who come into the kingdom of God should not view the material things of earthly life as others view them. They should put God’s interests first and be generous in giving to others. Those who set their hearts on material things are being disloyal to God, and guarantee bitter disappointment for themselves in the end (Matthew 6:19-21).To illustrate the results of right and wrong attitudes to material things, Jesus referred to... read more