Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Luke 12
In. Greek. en. App-104.
trode one upon another = trampled one another down.
unto. Greek. pros. App-104. Not the same word as in Luke 12:11.
first. The Structure ("K ") on p. 1471 shows that this must be connected with "disciples "and not with what follows.
Beware ye = Take heed to yourselves. Compare Matthew 16:6, spoken on another occasion. of. Greek. apo. App-104.
leaven. See note on Matthew 13:33.
which. Denoting a class of things in the category of impiety.
hypocrisy. See note on "hypocrite" (Luke 11:44).
nothing. Greek. ouden. Compound of ou. App-105.
covered = concealed. Greek sunkaluptomai. Only here in N.T.
not. Greek. ou. App-105. Not the same word as in verses: Luke 12:4, Luke 12:6 -, Luke 4:7, Luke 4:21, Luke 4:26, Luke 4:27-; Luk_4:29; Luk_4:32; Luk_4:33; Luk_4:47; Luk_4:48; Luk_4:59.
be = become.
revealed = uncovered. Greek. apokalupto. See App-106.
known. Greek. ginosko. App-132.
Therefore = Instead of (Greek. anti. App-104. ) which.
have spoken = spake.
darkness = the darkness.
in = to. Greek pros. App-104.
closets = the chambers. Occurs only here, Luke 12:24, and Matthew 6:6; Matthew 24:26.
proclaimed. App-121.
upon. Greek. epi. App-104.
housetops. Compare Matthew 24:17.
I say unto you. Always introduces an important matter.
unto = to.
Be not afraid (phobethete). ye shall fear (phobethete) (Luke 12:5). Note the Figure of speech Anadiplosis (App-6), by which all the words between are emphasized, by being thus enclosed.
not. Greek. me. App-105. Not the same word as in verses: Luke 12:2, Luke 12:6, Luke 12:10, Luke 2:15, Luke 2:21, Luke 2:26, Luke 2:27, Luke 2:39, Luke 2:45, Luke 2:46, Luke 2:56, Luke 2:57, Luke 2:59.
of = from [the hands of]. Greek. apo. App-104. Compare Matthew 10:28. Not the same word as in verses: Luke 12:6, Luke 12:13, Luke 12:25, Luke 6:48, Luke 6:57. after. Greek. meta. App-104. no. Greek. ou.
forewarn = shew, or warn; p. Luke 3:7.
ye shall fear. See note on Luke 12:4.
Fear. Note the second Anadiplosis. App-6.
Him, which: i.e. God Who.
power = authority. See App-172.
into. Greek. eis. App-104.
hell = the Gehenna. See note on 2 Kings 23:10. Matthew 5:3, and App-131.
not. See App-105.
two farthings = two assaria. See note on Matthew 10:29.
of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104.
before = in the sight of. Greek. enopion, as in Luke 1:15.
are = have been. See note on Matthew 10:30. Acts 27:34; and compare 1 Samuel 14:45. 1 Kings 1:52.
more value = differ from: i.e. excel.
shall = may (with Greek. an).
Me = in (Greek. en. App-104.) Me: i.e. in My Name.
before = in the presence of. Greek. emprosthen.
men. Plural of anthropos. App-123.
him = in him.
shall = will.
the Son of man. See App-98.
word. Not "blaspheme", as in next clause.
against. Greek. eis. App-101.
the Holy Ghost. With Art. See App-101. As in Luke 12:12.
unto = before. Greek. epi. App-104.
synagogues. See App-120.
powers = authorities. App-172.
take ye no thought = be not full of care, or anxious.
answer = reply in defence. See Acts 6:8, Acts 6:10; 2 Timothy 4:17. 1 Peter 3:15. Compare Daniel 3:16.
Master = Teacher. App-98.
divide. Compare Deuteronomy 21:15-17.
with. Greek. meta. App-104.
made = appointed, or constituted. Compare Exodus 2:4.
over. Greek. epi. App-104. Not with the same case as in verses: Luke 12:42, Luke 12:44.
Take heed = See. Greek. horao. App-133.
beware = keep yourselves from,
covetousness. All the texts read "all covetousness".
man"s = to any one.
life. Greek zoe. See App-170. Not so with bios (App-171.)
possesseth. Greek. huparcho. see Philippians 1:2, Philippians 1:6 (being); Luke 3:20 ("is ").
ground = estate. Greek. chora.
brought forth plentifully. Greek euphoreo. Occurs only here.
thought = was reasoning.
within. Greek. en. App-104.
no = not. Greek ou. App-105.
bestow = gather together, or lay up.
barns = granaries.
fruits = produce. Not the same word as in Luke 12:17. Tr. WI R read "the corn".
goods = good things.
my soul. Idiom for "myself". Greek. mou psuche. See App-13., App-110, and note on Jeremiah 17:21.
soul = psuche. See App-110.
laid up = laid by.
for (Greek. eis. App-104.) many years. Compare Proverbs 27:1.
fool. See note on Luke 11:40.
this night = this very night.
thy soul = thy life. App-110.
shall be required = they demand. Only here and Luke 6:30. Tr. A WI read "is required". But both are impersonal, referring to some unknown invisible agencies which carry out God's judgments or Satan's will. Compare Psalms 49:15. Job 4:19; Job 18:18; Job 19:26; Job 34:20. In a good sense compare Isaiah 60:11.
which, &c. In the Greek this clause is emph., standing before the question "then whose", &c.
provided = prepared.
Therefore = On (Greek. dia. App-104. Luke 12:3) this [account].
Take no thought, &c. This saying is repeated from Matthew 6:25. See note there.
life. Greek. psuche. SeeApp-110. It is what can "eat".
Consider, &c. See note on Matthew 7:3.
ravens. See Job 38:41. Psalms 147:9. Occurs only here in N.T.
neither sow = sow not (Greek. ou. App-105).
nor. Greek. oude.
neither have = have not, as above.
storehouse. Same as "closet "in Luke 12:3.
barn = granary.
fowls = birds.
to. Greek. epi. App-104.
stature = age, as in John 9:21, John 9:23. Hebrews 11:11, referring to fullness of growth, hence rendered "stature" (Luke 19:3. Ephesians 4:13). A "cubit" could not be "the least" of Luke 12:26. It must therefore be putby Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for length generally: either the least measure (an inch) to his height, or a moment to his age (or life). Greek. helikia. Occurs elsewhere in Luke 2:52 and Matthew 6:27.
If ye, &c. Assuming the hypothesis as a fact. See App-118.
not. Compound of ou. App-105.
least. This determines the meaningof "cubit "in Luke 12:25, or it would nullify the Lord's argument.
for. Greek. peri. App-104.
they grow. T Tr. A WI m. omit, and read "how they toil not", &c.
toil not, they spin not = neither toil nor spin. T A WI m. read "neither spin nor weave".
Solomon . . . was not = not even Solomon was. 1 Kings 3:13; 1 Kings 10:1-29. Song of Solomon 3:6-11.
grass, &c. Compare Isaiah 40:6. 1 Peter 1:24. James 1:10, James 1:11.
cast: i.e. for fuel, "oven "being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the furnace; as we say "the kettle boils" or "light the fire".
O ye of little faith. Greek. oligopistos. See all the five occurances in note on Matthew 6:30.
neither = and not. Greek. me. App-104.
of doubtful mind = excited. Occurs only here in N.T.
little flock. Compare Psalms 23:1. Isaiah 40:11. Matthew 26:31. John 10:12-16.
it is your Father's good pleasure = your Father took delight. The King was present: what could He not supply?
Sell. Compare Acts 2:44, Acts 2:45; Acts 4:37.
that ye have. Greek. huparcho: your possessions. See note on "is", Philippians 1:3, Philippians 1:20.
bags = purses.
wax not old = never wear out.
the heavens. Plural. See notes on Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10. that faileth not = unfailing.
moth. Compare James 5:2.
corrupteth = destroyeth, as in Revelation 8:9; Revelation 11:18.
that wait for = waiting, or looking, for. Greek. prosdechomai, as in Luke 2:25, Luke 2:38; Luke 23:51. Mark 15:43. Titus 2:13.
lord. App-98. A.
when = whensoever.
will. All the texts read "may".
return. Greek. analuo. Occurs only here, and Philippians 1:1, Philippians 1:23, in N.T. In Septuagint only in the Apocryphal books, and always in the sense of returning back, as in ana-kampto (Hebrews 11:15). See Tobit 2.9. Judith 13.1. Ezra 3:3. Book of Wisdom 2.1; 5.12; 16.14. Ecclus 3.15. 2 Macc. 8.25; 9.1; 12.7; 15.28. The noun analusis = a returning back of the body to dust, as in Genesis 3:19, occurs only once, in 2 Timothy 4:6.
from = out of. Greek ek. App-104.
the wedding = the marriage feast.
Blessed = Happy.
servants = bondman.
watching. Greek. gregoreo, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:10 (wake).
verily. See note on Matthew 5:18.
goodman = master. App-98.
broken = dug. Occurs only here; Matthew 6:19, Matthew 6:20; Matthew 24:43.
that faithful and wise steward = the faithful steward and prudent [man].
make ruler = set.
over. Greek. epi. App-104. Not the same case as in verses: Luke 12:14, Luke 12:44.
portion of meat = measure of food. Greek. sitometrion. Occurs only here. Supposed to be a peculiar N.T. word, but it is found in the Papyri, and the kindred verb in Genesis 47:12, Genesis 47:14 (Septuagint)
delayeth. The emphasis is placed on this verb
by the Figure of speech Hyperbaton (App-6), because it is this postponement of the reckoning which leads to his evil doing.
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6) in Luke 12:45 and Luke 12:46.
menservants. See App-108.
maidens. Greek. paidiske. See Luke 22:56.
at = in, as in preceding clause.
is not aware = knows not. App-132.
cut him in sunder. Compare Daniel 2:5. Hebrews 11:37.
unbelievers = unfaithful.
I am come = Icame, &c.
send. Greek. ballo. In fourteen out of the eighteen occurrences in Luke, rendered "cast". See verses: Luke 28:88.
fire. See Joel 2:30, &c. Had the nation received Him, all that the prophets had spoken would have been fulfilled. So would it have been had Peter's proclamation been received (Acts 5:18-26). See note on Luke 12:51.
on = into. Greek. eis. App-104. But all the texts read epi (App-104. ix. 3). earth. Greek. ge. App-129.
what will I . . . ? = what do I wish? Figure of speech Aposiopesis, App-6(no answer being required or given).
if it be, &c. Another Aposiopesis (App-6) repeated. The Lord was "straitened "(Luke 12:50). The nation had not yet finally rejected Him. App-118.
I have a baptism, &c. Referring to the sufferings which had to be first accomplished. See Luke 24:26. Acts 3:18. App-115. . i.
how am I straitened = how am I being pressed. Greek. sunechomai, as in Acts 18:5 and Philippians 1:1, Philippians 1:23. The prayer in Gethsemane shows how this
was. See Luke 22:41, Luke 22:42. Hebrews 5:7.
accomplished. See Luke 9:31. John 19:28.
I am come = I became present, as in Acts 21:18.
to give peace. This was the object of His coming (Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7): but the e f fect of His presence would bring war. He came not to judge (John 12:47) as to this object, but the effect of His coming was judgment (John 9:39).
on = in. Greek. en. App-104.
earth = the earth. App-129.
Nay. Greek. ouchi. See App-105.
division = disunion. Occurs only here.
from henceforth = from(Greek. apo. App-104.) now: explaining the effect.
against. Greek. epi. App-104. Referring to Micah 7:6.
also to the people = to the crowds also; not "in-consequent". See the Structure "L", p. 1471).
out of = from. Greek. apo. App-104.
shower. Occurs only here.
it is = it happens.
hypocrites. See note on Luke 11:44.
can = know [how to]. Greek. oida. App-132.
face = appearance.
sky = the heaven. Singular. See notes on Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10.
judge ye, &c. Found in an inscriptionat Amorgus, as pronouncing a just judgment, anticipating Luke 12:58.
When thou goest = For, when thou art brought. Introducing the reason for this conclusion of the whole argument.
adversary. Shown in the last clause to be the tax-gatherer.
to = before. Greek. epi. App-104.
the = a.
in the way. Emph. by Figure of speech Hyperbaton (App-6).
give diligence = work hard, or take pains, or do your best. Not a Latinism, but found in the OxyrhyncusPapyri, second century B.C.
delivered = set free. Occurs only here, Acts 19:12, and Hebrews 2:15.
hale = haul. Anglo-Saxon holian. Occurs only here in N.T.
officer = tax-gatherer:i.e. the adversary of the first
clause. Greek. praktor = doer, or executive officer. Thus used in the Papyri. Occurs only here in N.T.; once in LXX, Isaiah 3:12. He was the one who could cast a defaulter into prison.
not = by no means. Greek. ou me. App-105.
hast paid = shalt have paid. This verse is repeated from Matthew 5:28, with a different purpose, and therefore with different words,
mite. See App-51.
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