Luke 12:39-52

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:45

Begin to beat, etc. - See the different parts of this bad minister's conduct pointed out on Matthew 24:48 , Matthew 24:49 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:46

With the unbelievers - Or, rather, the unfaithful; των σπιϚων . Persons who had the light and knowledge of God's word, but made an improper use of the privileges they received. The persons mentioned here differ widely from unbelievers or infidels, viz. those who were in a state of heathenism, because they had not the revelation of the Most High: the latter knew not the will of God, Luke 12:48 , and, though they acted against it, did not do it in obstinacy; the former knew that will, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:47

Shall be beaten with many stripes - Criminals among the Jews could not be beaten with more than forty stripes; and as this was the sum of the severity to which a whipping could extend, it may be all that our Lord here means. But, in some cases, a man was adjudged to receive fourscore stripes! How could this be, when the law had decreed only forty? Answer: By doubling the crime. He received forty for each crime; if he were guilty of two offenses, he might receive fourscore. See Lightfoot. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:48

Shall be beaten with few - For petty offenses the Jews in many cases inflicted so few as four, five, and six stripes. See examples in Lightfoot. From this and the preceding verse we find that it is a crime to be ignorant of God's will; because to every one God has given less or more of the means of instruction. Those who have had much light, or the opportunity of receiving much, and have not improved it to their own salvation, and the good of others, shall have punishment proportioned to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:49

I am come to send fire - See this subject largely explained on Matthew 10:34 ; (note), etc. From the connection in which these words stand, both in this place and in Matthew, it appears as if our Lord intended by the word fire, not only the consuming influence of the Roman sword, but also the influence of his own Spirit in the destruction of sin. In both these senses this fire was already kindled: as yet, however, it appeared but as a spark, but was soon to break out into an all-consuming... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:50

But I have a baptism - The fire, though already kindled, cannot burn up till after the Jews have put me to death: then the Roman sword shall come, and the Spirit of judgment, burning, and purification shall be poured out. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:51

To give peace - See Matthew 10:34 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:52

Five in one house divided - See on Matthew 10:35 , Matthew 10:36 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:47

Verse 47 Luke 12:47.But that servant. There is great weight in this circumstance, which is mentioned by Luke alone, that, in proportion as any man knowingly and willingly takes pleasure in despising the Lord, he deserves severer punishment. A comparison is made between the greater and the less to this effect: If punishment does not fail to be inflicted on a servant who errs through mistake, what shall become of the wicked and rebellious servant, who purposely, as it were, tramples under foot... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:48

Verse 48 48.To whomsoever much hath been given. Christ shows by another circumstance, that the more highly favored disciples ought to be visited with severer punishment, if they despise their calling, and abandon themselves without reserve to every kind of licentiousness; because the more eminent a man is, he ought to consider that so much the more has been entrusted to him, and on the express condition that he shall one day render an account of it. In the same proportion, therefore, as any of... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:45

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:46

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:47

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:48

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:49

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:50

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:51

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:52

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:47

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:48

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