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Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:5

5. Fear Him . . . Fear Him—how striking the repetition here! Only the one fear would effectually expel the other. after he hath killed, c.—Learn here—(1) To play false with one's convictions to save one's life, may fail of its end after all, for God can inflict a violent death in some other and equally formidable way. (2) There is a hell, it seems, for the body as well as the soul consequently, sufferings adapted to the one as well as the other. (3) Fear of hell is a divinely authorized and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:1-12

1. The importance of fearless confession 12:1-12 (cf. Matthew 10:19-20, 26-33)Jesus used His condemnation of the Pharisees’ hypocrisy as an occasion to warn His disciples against being hypocritical. The context of this teaching in Matthew’s Gospel is Jesus’ instruction of the Twelve before He sent them on their mission. Luke recorded that He also taught His disciples the importance of fearless witness under persecution as they moved toward Jerusalem. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:1-17

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:4

Jesus identified what followed as particularly important (cf. Luke 6:27; Luke 11:9; Luke 12:5; Luke 12:8). The unusual address "my friends" (Gr. philois) added a further encouragement to represent Jesus boldly in spite of opposition even though it might result in death. The word expressed confidence in the disciples and approval of them as those entrusted with His secrets and those who do His will. It contrasts with the rejection they faced in the world. This is the only place in the Synoptics... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:4-12

Preparing for judgment 12:4-12"The teaching about the Pharisees and the judgment leads naturally into a more general section on judgment and the importance of being prepared for it." [Note: Morris, p. 208.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:5

Rather than fearing their persecutors the disciples should fear God more. God has the power to affect eternal, not just temporal, destiny. Jesus was not implying that the disciples would end up in hell if they proved unfaithful (cf. John 10:27-28; 2 Timothy 2:11-13). He was warning them about the possibility of losing an eternal reward. He cited God’s punitive power to deter hypocrisy. This is Luke’s only reference to hell (Gr. geenna), but elsewhere it is a place of eternal torment (cf.... read more

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 12:4-9

(4-9) I say unto you my friends.—See Notes on Matthew 10:28-32. The opening words, however, in their tender sympathy, anticipating the language of John 15:14-15, may be noted as peculiar to St. Luke. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Luke 12:1-59

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

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