Luke 12:13

And one of the multitude said unto him, Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.

Under Jewish law, the older brother would have inherited two-thirds of the estate, and the younger brother one-third; since the older brother would have been executor of the estate, the appeal here would seem to be that of the younger brother, implying either of two problems: (1) either the elder brother had not given him his share, or (2) the younger brother was thinking of breaking the ancient custom of primogeniture which gave the double portion to the oldest son. Thus, we may not be certain whether this was an appeal for redress under the existing law, or if it was a bold movement toward social reform. Significantly, Jesus refused to be involved either way. As Boles viewed it, the man "probably thought he had a just claim,"[16] or he would not have taken it to Jesus.

First of all, this verse teaches that "Christ's kingdom is spiritual, and not of this world. Christianity does not intermeddle with rights."[17] "Too often the church is asked to step into disputes between people, groups, or even races";[18] but "The Master knew that a changed world would not solve man's problems as long as his biggest problem, sin in his heart, was within him."[19] This is a period in history when the ancient wisdom of Christ is being challenged and ignored; but men shall find through bitter experience that Christ was right in all that he said and did. Although no fault could be found with this man's request, Christ absolutely refused to accede to it. Jesus did not approach the problems of social injustice by an assault upon established institutions. He did not take the man's part against those who had wronged him. Just as Jesus refused to accept criminal jurisdiction in the case of the woman taken in adultery (John 8:3-11), or take sides in a political problem, as in the question regarding the tribute money (Matthew 22:17), he carefully avoided the snare and the rock upon which so many religious reformers have made shipwreck. Trench summed it up thus, "It was from the inward to the outward that he would work."[20] And so should his church take heed that they follow in the Master's steps.

[16] H. Leo Boles, op. cit., p. 251.

[17] Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Commentary on the Holy Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1960), p. 269.

[18] Herschel H. Hobbs, op. cit., p. 204.

[19] Charles L. Childers, op. cit., p. 521.

[20] Richard C. Trench, Notes on the Parables of Our Lord (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1953), p. 337.