Luke 12:23-34

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:24

The raven illustration shows that God provides for His creatures. The implication is that God will provide for people, and even more so disciples, since they are more important to Him than birds. Jesus’ choice of a raven for His illustration is interesting since ravens were unclean (Leviticus 11:15) and are infamous for not feeding their own young, yet God sees that the young ravens eat. Birds do not and cannot provide for themselves as humans do and can, but God still provides for them. Again... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:25

Did Jesus have age or stature in mind when He made this comparison? The NASB translators have rendered the Greek pechys as "cubit" and helikia as "life’s span" interpreting Jesus’ statement as a metaphor describing age. The NIV translators translated pechys as "hour" and helikia as "life." Both translations present Jesus speaking about the lengthening of life, not stature. This is understandable in view of Luke 12:19-20. The rich fool could not extend his life. However pechys means "cubit." It... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:26

Jesus drew the conclusion by arguing from the lesser to the greater again. If it is futile to worry about small matters that lie outside our control, it is even more foolish to worry about larger matters that lie even farther outside our control. [Note: Liefeld, "Luke," p. 963.] The smaller matters include living longer and the larger include all of life and its needs. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:27

Jesus turned from zoology to botany to illustrate further the futility of worrying about material possessions. The flowers (Gr. krinon) cannot do anything whatsoever to provide for their own needs. They are totally dependent on God. Still He provides for them and does so magnificently. He gives every common flower more glorious clothing than Solomon, Israel’s most glorious king, could provide for himself. Toiling and spinning to provide clothing seems to be in view. This was women’s work in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:28

Grass is a common term for all types of plant life. People burn the common vegetation for warmth, yet God has made it beautiful. How much more will God provide for people who have a longer existence and serve a higher purpose than the grass.The disciples were men of little faith because they worried about the necessities of life rather than trusting God to provide these for them. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:29

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:30

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:31

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:32

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 Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:33

In view of this prospect Jesus’ disciples should strip down and live simply so they could seek the kingdom without unnecessary materialistic distractions. By getting rid of their possessions they were in effect preparing to receive their reward. Jesus pictured this as making purses in anticipation of receiving something to put in them, namely, eternal rewards. Such purses would not wear out in contrast to the purses that hold material wealth. Furthermore their heavenly treasure would be secure... read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:24

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:25

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:26

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:27

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:28

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:29

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:30

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:31

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:32

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:33

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