Luke 12:16-34

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:21

Jesus drew the application. A person who only enriches himself and does not lay up treasure in heaven is a fool (cf. Matthew 6:19; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; James 1:10). "For himself" contrasts with "toward God." This translation preserves the form of the contrast in the Greek text. The point of the contrast is the difference between riches on earth and riches in heaven (cf. Matthew 6:19-21)."The man in the story was called a fool for confusing time with eternity, his body for his soul, and what was... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:22-23

Jesus addressed the following words more particularly to the disciples (cf. Luke 12:1; Luke 12:13). It is foolish to store up material possessions with no regard for God. Therefore Jesus urged His disciples, who had considered God, to refrain from undue concern about possessions. The life (Gr. psyche) in view is the physical life that needs fuel. The body is the outward shell that needs covering. Food and clothing are just the needs of the present life. Consequently disciples should treat these... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:22-34

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

Thomas Constable

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

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