little flock. Compare Psalms 23:1 .Isaiah 40:11 .Matthew 26:31 . Joh 10:12-16 . it is your Father's good pleasure = your Father took delight. The King was present: what could He not supply? read more
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.There is a glimpse in this verse, "the only verse in this section not paralleled in Matthew,"[32] of the circumstances under which the sermon was delivered. The Pharisees, like one of their number at a later date, were breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the Lord; but Jesus calmly assured his chosen that, despite all that, the kingdom would indeed occur and that they should possess it. In Luke... read more
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
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
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
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
12:32 not, (e-2) There is an emphatic article here, impossible to translate into English. '[you who are] the little flock.' It is the character Christ gives to them as attached to him in the midst of the world. read more
The Leaven of the Pharisees. The Rich Fool1-12. Jesus warns His followers against Pharisaic hypocrisy, and exhorts them to be courageous in face of opposition. This speech is not unsuitable to the context in St. Luke, but the whole of the sayings are found also in St. Matthew’s Gospel, generally in a more natural connexion (mostly in the charge to the Twelve, Luke 10:5-42). Perhaps St. Luke here groups together savings spoken at different times.1. When there were] RV ’when the many thousands of... read more
(32) Fear not, little flock.—The words continue to be spoken to the inner circle of the disciples. They are “the little flock” (the Greek has the article) to whom the Father was pleased to give the kingdom which is “righteousness and peace and joy.” There is an implied recognition of the fact, that the “flock” had passed beyond the stage of seeking for the kingdom. In its essence it was theirs already.It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.—Literally, Your Father was... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 12:22-34
42. Concern about material things (Matthew 6:19-34; Luke 12:22-34)People who come into the kingdom of God should not view the material things of earthly life as others view them. They should put God’s interests first and be generous in giving to others. Those who set their hearts on material things are being disloyal to God, and guarantee bitter disappointment for themselves in the end (Matthew 6:19-21).To illustrate the results of right and wrong attitudes to material things, Jesus referred to... read more