Luke 12:1-48 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:14

And he said unto him, man ,.... Or "friend", as the Ethiopic version renders it; that is, Jesus said to him, as the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions express it: who made me a judge, or a divider over you ? referring to the words of one of the Hebrews to Moses, when he interposed in a difference, Exodus 2:14 suggesting, that the same might be retorted on him, should he engage in such an affair: the reason why Christ avoided meddling with it, was not because it is unlawful for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:15

And he said unto them ,.... Either to the two brethren, or to his disciples, as the Syriac and Persic versions read, or to the whole company: take heed, and beware of covetousness ; of all covetousness, as read the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, and some copies; that is, of all sorts of covetousness, and every degree of it, which of all vices is to be avoided and guarded against, being the root of all evil; and as the Persic version renders it, is worse than all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:16

And he spake a parable unto them, saying ,.... He supposed the following case, and made use of it by way of illustration of what he had said: the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully ; who notwithstanding his riches, was but a fool, as the sequel shows; rich men are not always wise in things natural and civil; and very few of them are spiritually wise, or wise in spiritual things, in things which relate to the welfare of their souls; but however, this man was very... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:17

And, he thought within himself ,.... And foolish thoughts they were; he did not think of God, or that there was one, and much less that he was the author, of all his outward prosperity and plenty; and was still further off of thinking of returning thanks to God for it: or of asking counsel of him, what he should do with it; but he consults himself only, and thought only within, and for himself; and not at all of his poor neighbours, or for the good of others; nor did he think even of his own... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:18

And he said, this will I do ,.... This was the resolution he came to, and which he took up, without consulting God, or asking leave of him: I will pull down my barns, and build greater ; which was not a very wise one; for he might have let his present barns have stood, and have added new ones to them: and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods ; he ascribes the increase of his substance to himself, and reckons them his own acquisitions, and entirely owing to his diligence and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:19

And I will say to my soul ,.... Himself, see Psalm 49:18 or to his sensual appetite, which he sought to indulge and gratify, for he was wholly a sensual and carnal man: soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years : he foolishly promises himself a long life, when no man can boast of tomorrow, or knows what a day will bring forth; or can assure himself he shall live a day, an hour, or moment longer: and he also depended upon the safety of his goods, thus laid up; whereas his barns... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:20

But God said unto him ,.... He determined within himself he should die that night; for the time of a man's death, as well as of his birth, is fixed by God; or he sent the messenger of death, some disease or another, the language of which was, immediate death, or death in a very short time; or spoke to his conscience, and impressed it on his mind, that he should die that night, and not live: thou fool : as he appeared to be, throughout the whole of his conduct: this night thy soul... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:21

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself ,.... This is the accommodation of the parable. Just such a fool is he, and this will be the end or him, who employs all his thoughts, and spends all his time, in amassing to himself worldly riches and wealth, in laying up treasures on earth for himself, for futurity: and makes no use of his earthly substance to be the good of others; nor shows any concern for spiritual and eternal riches; but places all his hope, trust, and confidence, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:22

And he said unto his disciples ,.... Having finished the parable which he spake to the whole audience in common, he directed himself to his disciples, who were poor, and apt to be over anxious about their living in the world: therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat . The Ethiopic version adds, "and what ye shall drink"; and so a manuscript in Gonvill and Caius College in Cambridge, which seems to be transcribed from Matthew 6:27 life is very near and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:23

The life is more than meat ,.... What in Matthew is put by way of question, is here strongly affirmed; and these words contain a reason or argument to dissuade from an anxious, distressing thought and care about the necessaries, conveniencies, and comforts of life: and all the Oriental versions read, "for", or "seeing the life is more than meat"; that is, it is more excellent and valuable in its own nature, being that for the support of which meat is provided; and seeing God is the author... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:23

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