Luke 12:13-24

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:14

Who made me a judge? - It is not my business to settle controversies of this kind. They are to be settled by the magistrate. Jesus came for another purpose - to preach the gospel, and so to bring people to “a willingness to do” right. Civil affairs are to be left to the magistrate. There is no doubt that Jesus “could” have told him what was right in this case, but then it would have been interfering with the proper office of the magistrates; it might have led him into controversy with the Jews;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:15

Beware of covetousness - One of these brothers, no doubt, was guilty of this sin; and our Saviour, as was his custom, took occasion to warn his disciples of its danger.Covetousness - An unlawful desire of the property of another; also a desire of gain or riches beyond what is necessary for our wants. It is a violation of the tenth commandment Exodus 20:17, and is expressly called idolatry Colossians 3:5. Compare, also, Ephesians 5:3, and Hebrews 13:5.A man’s life - The word “life” is sometimes... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:16

A parable - See the notes at Matthew 13:3.Plentifully - His land was fertile, and produced even beyond his expectations, and beyond what he had provided for. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:17

He thought within himself - He reasoned or inquired. He was anxious and perplexed. Riches increase thought and perplexity. Indeed, this is almost their only effect - to engross the thoughts and steal the heart away from better things, in order to take care of the useless wealth.No room - Everything was full.To bestow - To place, to hoard, to collect.My fruits - Our word “fruits” is not applied to “grain;” but the Greek word is applied to all the produce of the earth - not only “fruit,” but also... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:18

I will pull down my barns - The word “barns” here, properly means, “granaries,” or places exclusively designed to put wheat, barley, etc. They were commonly made, by the ancients, “underground,” where grain could be kept a long time more safe from thieves and from vermin. If it be asked why he did not let the old ones remain and build new ones, it may be answered that it would be easier to “enlarge” those already excavated in the earth than to dig new ones. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:19

Much goods - Much property. Enough to last a long while, so that there is no need of anxiety or labor.Take thine ease - Be free from care about the future. Have no anxiety about coming to want.Eat, drink, and be merry - This was just the doctrine of the ancient Epicureans and atheists, and it is, alas! too often the doctrine of those who are rich. They think that all that is valuable in life is to eat, and drink, and be cheerful or merry. Hence, their chief anxiety is to obtain the “delicacies... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:20

Thou fool - If there is any supreme folly, it is this. As though riches could prolong life, or avert for a moment the approach of pain and death.This night ... - What an awful sentence to a man who, as he thought, had got just ready to live and enjoy himself! In a single moment all his hopes were blasted, and his soul summoned to the bar of his long-forgotten God. So, many are surprised as suddenly and as unprepared. They are snatched from their pleasures, and hurried to a world where there is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:21

So is he - This is the portion or the doom.Layeth up treasure for himself - Acquires riches for his own use - for “himself.” This is the characteristic of the covetous man. It is all for “himself.” His plans terminate there. He lives only for himself, and acts only with regard to his own interest.Rich toward God - Has no inheritance in the kingdom of God - no riches laid up in heaven. His affections are all fixed on this world, and he has none for God.From this instructive parable we learn:1.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:22-31

See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 6:25-33. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 12:13-15

Luke 12:13-15 . One said, Master, speak to my brother, &c. While Jesus was discoursing, as above related, to his disciple, one of the crowd, that was then collected about Jesus, requested that he would speak to his brother, and persuade him to divide their paternal inheritance, and give him his share. But, because judging in civil matters was the province of the magistrates, and foreign to the end of our Lord’s coming, he refused to meddle in their quarrel. It is not said which of these... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:22-31

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 12:13-15

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands