Luke 12:35-50

V. Gradually extending his address from the twelve to the multitudes, Jesus warns of his Second Coming, Luke 12:35-50.

The Saviour’s address so imperceptibly expands to take in all alike, that Peter is at last induced to ask his Lord which he means, the twelve or the myriads? How beautifully calculated was this passage to make the hesitater between Jesus and the hierarchy tremble! It is the Son of man, it is himself before whom these myriads, and even these scribes and pharisees, are to appear, (and how soon neither they nor he know; though with him it is a voluntary unknowing,) and receive their final doom! Before the stupendous importance of that day, sublunary suffering and enjoyment dwindle into nothing. In view of its uncertainty of approach, how entire the attitude of readiness required! And whether that uncertainty be for a year or myriads of years, preparedness is, from man’s transitory existence, equally suitable and important. Whatever may be the distance of that day to the whole earth, each man’s distance from it is a narrow and uncertain margin of his mortal life. The coming of the Son of man is not death; but death is the limit of our distance from it. Compare supplementary note on Matthew 25:0.