Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:29
29. of doubtful, c.—unsettled mind put off your balance. 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
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
Obviously people have a responsibility to provide for their own needs (Genesis 1:29-30; 2 Thessalonians 3:10). Jesus was forbidding worrying over these things. He used hyperbole (i.e., overstatement for the sake of the effect) to make His point. The Greek word translated "worry" here is meteorizesthe meaning "to raise up" or "to suspend." The idea is of a person in suspense or "up in the air" with anxiety about his or her needs. read more
The reason worry about these things is wrong is that it is a pagan practice. The gracious heavenly Father knows His children need these things. Therefore the believer should rely on Him to provide what is necessary. read more
Rather than seeking after material possessions Jesus’ disciples should seek after God’s messianic kingdom and the lasting things associated with it. This means preparing oneself for it and becoming an active participant in God’s program leading up to it. Jesus promised that God would provide the material provisions of those who do so. The form of the Greek sentence and the context suggest that God’s provision depends on the disciple’s seeking for His kingdom. This is a conditional promise (cf.... read more
Jesus’ command to turn attention from the acquisition of material provisions to seeking kingdom concerns undoubtedly created some uneasiness in His disciples. Likewise the hostility of the Pharisees and other enemies doubtless disturbed them. Therefore Jesus, speaking as the Shepherd of the flock for which He would provide, urged them not to fear. They could release their hold on material things with the full assurance that the blessings of the kingdom and eventual reward would be theirs one... read more
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 12:32-34
Luke 12:32-34. Fear not, little flock, &c.— "Since the will of God is your everlasting happiness, he will surely bestow on you the necessaries of the present life." This part of the charge may be considered as parallel to the directions given to the twelve, Matthew 10:9. Provide neither gold, &c. That is, "make no provision for your journey, but rely wholly on the providence of God." Only our Lord added a precept peculiarly calculated for those times, in which the profession of the... read more