1AlsG1722 sich unterdessenG3739 viele TausendeG3461 der VolksmengeG3793 versammelt hattenG1996, so daßG5620 sie einanderG240 tratenG2662, fingG756 er anG756 zuG4314 seinenG846 JüngernG3101 zu sagenG3004, zuerstG4412: HütetG4337 euchG1438 vorG575 dem SauerteigG2219 der PharisäerG5330, welcherG3748 HeucheleiG5272 istG2076. 2Es istG2076 aberG1161 nichtsG3762 verdecktG4780, wasG3739 nichtG3756 aufgedecktG601, undG2532 verborgenG2927, wasG3739 nichtG3756 kundwerden wirdG1097; 3deswegenG473 G3739, sovielG3745 ihr inG1722 der FinsternisG4653 gesprochen haben werdetG2036, wird imG1722 LichteG5457 gehört werdenG191, undG2532 wasG3739 ihr insG4314 OhrG3775 gesprochen haben werdetG2980 inG1722 den KammernG5009, wird aufG1909 den DächernG1430 ausgerufen werdenG2784. 4Ich sageG3004 aberG1161 euchG5213, meinenG3450 FreundenG5384: FürchtetG5399 euch nichtG3361 vor denenG575, die den LeibG4983 tötenG615 undG2532 nachG3326 diesemG5023 nichtsG3361 G5100 WeiteresG4055 zu tunG4160 vermögenG2192. 5Ich will euchG5213 aberG1161 zeigenG5263, wenG5101 ihr fürchten solltG5399: FürchtetG5399 den, der nachG3326 dem TötenG615 GewaltG1849 hatG2192, inG1519 die HölleG1067 zu werfenG1685; jaG3483, sageG3004 ich euchG5213, diesenG5126 fürchtetG5399. 6WerdenG4453 nichtG3780 fünfG4002 SperlingeG4765 um zweiG1417 PfennigG787 verkauftG4453 ? undG2532 nichtG3756 einerG1520 vonG1537 ihnenG846 istG2076 vorG1799 GottG2316 vergessenG1950. 7AberG235 selbstG2532 die HaareG2359 euresG5216 HauptesG2776 sindG705 alleG3956 gezähltG705. So fürchtetG5399 euch nunG3767 nichtG3361; ihr seid vorzüglicherG1308 als vieleG4183 SperlingeG4765. 8Ich sageG3004 euchG5213 aberG1161: JederG3956, derG3739 irgendG302 michG1722 G1698 vorG1715 den MenschenG444 bekennen wirdG3670 ,G1722 denG846 wird auchG2532 der SohnG5207 des MenschenG444 vorG1715 den EngelnG32 GottesG2316 bekennenG3670; 9wer aberG1161 michG3165 vorG1799 den MenschenG444 verleugnet haben wirdG720, der wird vorG1799 den EngelnG32 GottesG2316 verleugnet werdenG533. 10UndG2532 jederG3956, derG3739 ein WortG3056 sagen wirdG2046 widerG1519 den SohnG5207 des MenschenG444, demG846 wird vergeben werdenG863; dem aberG1161, der widerG1519 den HeiligenG40 GeistG4151 lästertG987, wird nichtG3756 vergeben werdenG863. 11WennG3752 sie euchG5209 aberG1161 vorG1909 die SynagogenG4864 undG2532 die ObrigkeitenG746 undG2532 die GewaltenG1849 führenG4374, so sorgetG3309 nichtG3361, wieG4459 oderG2228 womitG5101 ihr euch verantwortenG626 oderG2228 wasG5101 ihr sagen solltG2036; 12dennG1063 der HeiligeG40 GeistG4151 wird euchG5209 inG1722 selbigerG846 StundeG5610 lehrenG1321 wasG3739 ihr sagenG2036 solltG1163. 13EinerG5100 ausG1537 der VolksmengeG3793 aberG1161 sprachG2036 zu ihmG846: LehrerG1320, sageG2036 meinemG3450 BruderG80, daß er das ErbeG2817 mitG3326 mirG1700 teileG3307. 14Er aberG1161 sprachG2036 zu ihmG846: MenschG444, werG5101 hat michG3165 zu einem RichterG1348 oderG2228 ErbteilerG3312 überG1909 euchG5209 gesetztG2525 ? 15Er sprachG2036 aberG1161 zuG4314 ihnenG846: SehetG3708 zu undG2532 hütet euchG5442 vorG575 aller HabsuchtG4124, dennG3754 nichtG3756 weil jemandG5100 ÜberflußG4052 G1722 hat, bestehtG2076 sein LebenG2222 vonG1537 seinerG846 HabeG5224. 16Er sagteG2036 aberG1161 ein GleichnisG3850 zuG4314 ihnenG846 und sprachG3004: Das LandG5561 eines gewissenG5100 reichenG4145 MenschenG444 trug viel einG2164. 17UndG2532 er überlegteG1260 beiG1722 sich selbstG1438 und sprachG3004: WasG5101 soll ich tunG4160 ? dennG3754 ich habeG2192 nichtG3756, wohinG4226 ich meineG3450 FrüchteG2590 einsammeln sollG4863. 18UndG2532 er sprachG2036: DiesG5124 will ich tunG4160: ich will meineG3450 ScheunenG596 niederreißenG2507 undG2532 größereG3187 bauenG3618 undG2532 will dahinG1563 allG3956 meinG3450 GewächsG1081 undG2532 meineG3450 GüterG18 einsammelnG4863; 19undG2532 ich will zu meinerG3450 SeeleG5590 sagenG2046: SeeleG5590, du hastG2192 vieleG4183 GüterG18 daliegenG2749 aufG1519 vieleG4183 JahreG2094; ruhe ausG373, ißG5315, trinkG4095, sei fröhlichG2165. 20GottG2316 aberG1161 sprachG2036 zu ihmG846: Du TorG878! in dieserG5026 NachtG3571 wird man deineG4675 SeeleG5590 vonG575 dirG4675 fordernG523; wasG3739 du aberG1161 bereitet hastG2090, für wenG5101 wird es seinG2071 ? 21AlsoG3779 ist der für sichG1438 Schätze sammeltG2343, undG2532 istG4147 nichtG3361 reichG4147 in Bezug aufG1519 GottG2316. 22Er sprachG2036 aberG1161 zuG4314 seinenG846 JüngernG3101: DeshalbG1223 G5124 sageG3004 ich euchG5213: SeidG3309 nichtG3361 besorgtG3309 für dasG5216 LebenG5590, wasG5101 ihr essenG5315, nochG3366 für den LeibG4983, wasG5101 ihr anziehen solltG1746. 23Das LebenG5590 istG2076 mehrG4119 als die NahrungG5160, undG2532 der LeibG4983 mehr als die KleidungG1742. 24BetrachtetG2657 die RabenG2876, daßG3754 sie nichtG3756 säenG4687 nochG3761 erntenG2325, dieG3739 wederG3756 VorratskammerG5009 nochG3761 ScheuneG596 habenG2076, undG2532 GottG2316 ernährtG5142 sieG846; um wievielG4214 vorzüglicherG3123 seidG1308 ihrG5210 alsG1308 die VögelG4071! 25WerG5101 aberG1161 unterG1537 euchG5216 vermagG1410 mit SorgenG3309 seinerG1909 G846 GrößeG2244 eineG1520 ElleG4083 zuzusetzenG4369 ? 26WennG1487 ihr nunG3767 auch das GeringsteG1646 nichtG3777 vermögetG1410, warumG5101 seid ihr umG4012 das ÜbrigeG3062 besorgtG3309 ? 27BetrachtetG2657 die LilienG2918, wieG4459 sie wachsenG837; sie mühen sichG2872 nichtG3756 undG2532 spinnenG3514 auch nichtG3761. Ich sageG3004 euchG5213 aberG1161, selbst nichtG3761 SalomonG4672 inG1722 allG3956 seinerG846 HerrlichkeitG1391 war bekleidetG4016 wieG5613 eineG1520 von diesenG5130. 28WennG1487 aberG1161 GottG2316 das GrasG5528, dasG5607 heuteG4594 aufG1722 dem FeldeG68 ist undG2532 morgenG839 inG1519 den OfenG2823 geworfen wirdG906, alsoG3779 kleidetG294, wievielG4214 mehrG3123 euchG5209, KleingläubigeG3640! 29UndG2532 ihrG5210, trachtetG2212 nichtG3361 danachG2212, wasG5101 ihr essenG5315 oderG2228 wasG5101 ihr trinkenG4095 sollt, undG2532 seid nichtG3361 in UnruheG3349; 30dennG1063 nach diesemG5023 allemG3956 trachtenG1934 die NationenG1484 der WeltG2889; euerG5216 VaterG3962 aberG1161 weißG1492, daßG3754 ihr diesesG5130 bedürfetG5535. 31TrachtetG2212 jedochG4133 nach seinemG2316 ReicheG932, undG2532 diesesG5023 G3956 wird euchG5213 hinzugefügt werdenG4369. 32Fürchte dichG5399 nichtG3361, du kleineG3398 HerdeG4168, dennG3754 es hat euremG5216 VaterG3962 wohlgefallenG2106, euchG5213 das ReichG932 zu gebenG1325. 33VerkaufetG4453 eureG5216 HabeG5224 undG2532 gebetG1325 AlmosenG1654; machetG4160 euchG1438 SäckelG905, die nichtG3361 veraltenG3822, einen SchatzG2344, unvergänglichG413, inG1722 den HimmelnG3772, woG3699 keinG3756 DiebG2812 sich nahtG1448 und keineG3761 MotteG4597 verderbtG1311. 34DennG1063 woG3699 euerG5216 SchatzG2344 istG2076, daG1563 wirdG2071 auchG2532 euerG5216 HerzG2588 seinG2071. 35Es seienG2077 eureG5216 LendenG3751 umgürtetG4024 undG2532 die LampenG3088 brennendG2545; 36undG2532 ihrG5210, seid MenschenG444 gleichG3664, die auf ihrenG1438 HerrnG2962 wartenG4327, wannG4219 irgend er aufbrechenG360 magG360 vonG1537 der HochzeitG1062, auf daßG2443, wenn er kommtG2064 undG2532 anklopftG2925, sie ihmG846 alsbaldG2112 aufmachenG455. 37GlückseligG3107 jeneG1565 KnechteG1401, dieG3739 der HerrG2962, wenn er kommtG2064, wachendG1127 finden wirdG2147! WahrlichG281, ich sageG3004 euchG5213 G3754: Er wird sich umgürtenG4024 undG2532 sieG846 sich zu Tische legen lassenG347 undG2532 wird hinzutretenG3928 und sieG846 bedienenG1247. 38UndG2532 wennG1437 er inG1722 der zweitenG1208 WacheG5438 kommtG2064 undG2532 inG1722 der drittenG5154 WacheG5438 kommtG2064 undG2532 findetG2147 sie alsoG3779 - glückseligG3107 sindG1526 jeneG1565 [Knechte]G1401! 39DiesG5124 aberG1161 erkennetG1097 G3754: WennG1487 der HausherrG3617 gewußt hätteG1492, zu welcherG4169 StundeG5610 der DiebG2812 kommen würdeG2064, soG302 hätte er gewachtG1127 undG2532 G302 nichtG3756 erlaubtG863, daß seinG846 HausG3624 durchgraben würdeG1358. 40AuchG2532 ihrG5210 [nun]G3767, seidG1096 bereitG2092; dennG3754 in derG3739 StundeG5610, in welcher ihr es nichtG3756 meinetG1380, kommtG2064 der SohnG5207 des MenschenG444. 41PetrusG4074 aberG1161 sprachG2036 zu ihmG846: HerrG2962, sagst duG3004 diesesG5026 GleichnisG3850 zuG4314 unsG2248 oderG2228 auchG2532 zuG4314 allenG3956 ? 42Der HerrG2962 aberG1161 sprachG2036: WerG5101 istG2076 nunG686 der treueG4103 undG2532 klugeG5429 VerwalterG3623, welchenG3739 der HerrG2962 überG1909 seinG846 GesindeG2322 setzen wirdG2525, um ihm die zugemessene SpeiseG4620 zu gebenG1325 zurG1722 rechten ZeitG2540 ? 43GlückseligG3107 jenerG1565 KnechtG1401, denG3739 seinG846 HerrG2962, wenn er kommtG2064, alsoG3779 tuendG4160 finden wirdG2147! 44In WahrheitG230 sage ichG3004 euchG5213, daßG3754 er ihn überG1909 seineG846 ganzeG3956 HabeG5224 setzen wirdG2525. 45WennG1437 aberG1161 jenerG1565 KnechtG1401 inG1722 seinemG846 HerzenG2588 sagtG2036: MeinG3450 HerrG2962 verziehtG5549 zu kommenG2064, undG2532 anfängtG756, die KnechteG3816 undG2532 MägdeG3814 zu schlagenG5180 undG5037 zu essenG2068 undG2532 zu trinkenG4095 undG2532 sich zu berauschenG3182, 46so wird der HerrG2962 jenesG1565 KnechtesG1401 kommenG2240 anG1722 einem TageG2250, an welchemG3739 er es nichtG3756 erwartetG4328, undG2532 inG1722 einer StundeG5610, dieG3739 er nichtG3756 weißG1097, undG2532 wird ihnG846 entzweischneidenG1371 undG2532 ihm seinG846 TeilG3313 setzenG5087 mitG3326 den UntreuenG571. 47JenerG1565 KnechtG1401 aberG1161, derG3588 den WillenG2307 seinesG1438 HerrnG2962 wußteG1097 undG2532 sich nichtG3361 bereitetG2090, nochG3366 nachG4314 seinem WillenG2307 getan hatG4160, wird mit vielenG4183 Schlägen geschlagen werdenG1194; 48wer ihn aberG1161 nichtG3361 wußteG1097, aberG1161 getan hatG4160 was der SchlägeG4127 wertG514 ist, wird mit wenigenG3641 geschlagen werdenG1194. JedemG3739 G3956 aberG1161, dem vielG4183 gegeben istG1325 - vielG4183 wird vonG3844 ihmG846 verlangt werdenG2212; undG2532 demG3739 man vielG4183 anvertraut hatG3908, von demG846 wird man desto mehrG4055 fordernG154. 49Ich bin gekommenG2064, FeuerG4442 aufG1519 die ErdeG1093 zu werfenG906; undG2532 wasG5101 will ichG2309, wennG1487 es schonG2235 angezündet istG381 ? 50Ich habeG2192 aberG1161 eine TaufeG908, womit ich getauft werden mußG907, undG2532 wieG4459 bin ich beengtG4912, bisG2193 sie vollbracht istG5055! 51Denket ihrG1380, daßG3754 ich gekommen seiG3854, FriedenG1515 aufG1722 der ErdeG1093 zu gebenG1325 ? NeinG3780, sage ichG3004 euchG5213, sondernG235 vielmehrG2228 EntzweiungG1267. 52DennG1063 es werdenG2071 vonG575 nun anG3568 fünfG4002 inG1722 einemG1520 HauseG3624 entzweit seinG1266; dreiG5140 werden widerG1909 zweiG1417 undG2532 zweiG1417 widerG1909 dreiG5140 entzweit sein: 53VaterG3962 G1266 widerG1909 SohnG5207 undG2532 SohnG5207 widerG1909 VaterG3962, MutterG3384 widerG1909 TochterG2364 undG2532 TochterG2364 widerG1909 MutterG3384, SchwiegermutterG3994 widerG1909 ihreG846 SchwiegertochterG3565 undG2532 SchwiegertochterG3565 widerG1909 ihreG846 SchwiegermutterG3994. 54Er sprachG3004 aberG1161 auchG2532 zu der VolksmengeG3793: WennG3752 ihr eine WolkeG3507 vonG575 WestenG1424 aufsteigenG393 sehetG1492, so saget ihrG3004 alsbaldG2112: Ein RegengußG3655 kommtG2064; undG2532 es geschiehtG1096 alsoG3779. 55UndG2532 wennG3752 ihr den SüdwindG3558 wehenG4154 sehet, so saget ihrG3004 G3754: Es wird HitzeG2742 gebenG2071; undG2532 es geschiehtG1096. 56HeuchlerG5273! das AngesichtG4383 der ErdeG1093 undG2532 des HimmelsG3772 wisset ihrG1492 zu beurteilenG1381; wieG4459 aberG1161 ist es, daß ihr dieseG5126 ZeitG2540 nichtG3756 beurteiletG1381 ? 57WarumG5101 aberG1161 auchG2532 richtet ihrG2919 vonG575 euch selbstG1438 nichtG3756 was recht istG1342 ? 58DennG1063 wennG5613 du mitG3326 deinerG4675 GegenparteiG476 vorG1909 die ObrigkeitG758 gehstG5217, so gib dirG1325 aufG1722 dem WegeG3598 MüheG2039, vonG575 ihrG846 loszukommenG525, damitG3379 sie dichG4571 nicht etwaG3379 zuG4314 dem RichterG2923 hinschleppeG2694; undG2532 der RichterG2923 wird dichG4571 dem GerichtsdienerG4233 überliefernG3860, undG2532 der GerichtsdienerG4233 dichG4571 insG1519 GefängnisG5438 werfenG906. 59Ich sageG3004 dirG4671: du wirstG1831 nichtG3364 von dannenG1564 herauskommenG1831, bisG2193 G3739 du auchG2532 den letztenG2078 HellerG3016 bezahlt hastG591.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 WARNING AGAINST HYPOCRISY. (
Luke 12:1-
Luke 12:12)
meantime--in close connection, probably, with the foregoing scene. Our Lord had been speaking out more plainly than ever before, as matters were coming to a head between Him and His enemies, and this seems to have suggested to His own mind the warning here. He had just Himself illustriously exemplified His own precepts.
his disciples first of all--afterwards to "the multitudes" (
Luke 12:54).
covered--from the view.
2 hid--from knowledge. "Tis no use concealing anything, for all will one day come out. Give free and fearless utterance then to all the truth." (Compare
1Cor 4:3,
1Cor 4:5).
4 I say, &c.--You will say, That may cost us our life. Be it so; but, "My friends, there their power ends." He calls them "my friends" here, not in any loose sense, but, as we think, from the feeling He then had that in this "killing of the body" He and they were going to be affectingly one with each other.
5 Fear Him . . . Fear Him--how striking the repetition here! Only the one fear would effectually expel the other.
after he hath killed, &c.--Learn here--(1) To play false with one's convictions to save one's life, may fail of its end after all, for God can inflict a violent death in some other and equally formidable way. (2) There is a hell, it seems, for the body as well as the soul; consequently, sufferings adapted to the one as well as the other. (3) Fear of hell is a divinely authorized and needed motive of action even to Christ's "friends." (4) As Christ's meekness and gentleness were not compromised by such harsh notes as these, so those servants of Christ lack their Master's spirit who soften down all such language to please ears "polite." (See on
Mark 9:43-
Mark 9:48).
6 five . . . for two farthings--In
Matt 10:29 it is "two for one farthing"; so if one took two farthings' worth, he got one in addition--of such small value were they.
than many sparrows--not "than millions of sparrows"; the charm and power of our Lord's teaching is very much in this simplicity.
8 confess . . . deny--The point lies in doing it "before men," because one has to do it "despising the shame." But when done, the Lord holds Himself bound to repay it in kind by confessing such "before the angels of God." For the rest, see on
Luke 9:26.
10 Son of man . . . Holy Ghost--(See on
Matt 12:31-
Matt 12:32).
13 COVETOUSNESS--WATCHFULNESS--SUPERIORITY TO EARTHLY TIES. (Luke 12:13-53)
Master, &c.--that is, "Great Preacher of righteousness, help; there is need of Thee in this rapacious world; here am I the victim of injustice, and that from my own brother, who withholds from me my rightful share of the inheritance that has fallen to us." In this most inopportune intrusion upon the solemnities of our Lord's teaching, there is a mixture of the absurd and the irreverent, the one, however, occasioning the other. The man had not the least idea that his case was not of as urgent a nature, and as worthy the attention of our Lord, as anything else He could deal with.
14 Man, &c.--Contrast this style of address with "my friends," (
Luke 12:4).
who, &c.--a question literally repudiating the office which Moses assumed (
Exod 2:14). The influence of religious teachers in the external relations of life has ever been immense, when only the INDIRECT effect of their teaching; but whenever they intermeddle DIRECTLY with secular and political matters, the spell of that influence is broken.
15 unto them--the multitude around Him (
Luke 12:1).
of covetousness--The best copies have "all," that is, "every kind of covetousness"; because as this was one of the more plausible forms of it, so He would strike at once at the root of the evil.
a man's life, &c.--a singularly weighty maxim, and not less so because its meaning and its truth are equally evident.
16 a certain rich man, &c.--Why is this man called a "fool?" (
Luke 12:20) (1) Because he deemed a life of secure and abundant earthly enjoyment the summit of human felicity. (2) Because, possessing the means of this, through prosperity in his calling, he flattered himself that he had a long lease of such enjoyment, and nothing to do but give himself up to it. Nothing else is laid to his charge.
20 this night, &c.--This sudden cutting short of his career is designed to express not only the folly of building securely upon the future, but of throwing one's whole soul into what may at any moment be gone. "Thy soul shall be required of thee" is put in opposition to his own treatment of it, "I will say to my soul, Soul," &c.
whose shall those things be, &c.--Compare
Ps 39:6, "He heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them."
21 So is he, &c.--Such is a picture of his folly here, and of its awful issue.
and is not rich toward God--lives to amass and enjoy riches which terminate on self, but as to the riches of God's favor, which is life (
Ps 30:5), of "precious" faith (
2Pet 1:1;
Jas 2:5), of good works (
1Tim 6:18), of wisdom which is better than rubies (
Pro 8:11) --lives and dies a beggar!
22 (See on
Matt 6:25-
Matt 6:33).
25 which of you, &c.--Corroding solicitude will not bring you the least of the things ye fret about, though it may double the evil of wanting them. And if not the least, why vex yourselves about things of more consequence?
29 of doubtful, &c.--unsettled mind; put off your balance.
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 high inheritance awaiting them!--"the kingdom"; grand word; then why not "bread" (
Luke 12:31 [BENGEL]). Well might He say, "Fear not!"
33 Sell, &c.--This is but a more vivid expression of
Matt 6:19-
Matt 6:21 (see on
Matt 6:19-
Matt 6:21).
35 loins . . . girded--to fasten up the long outer garment, always done before travel and work (
2Kgs 4:29;
Acts 12:8). The meaning is, Be in readiness.
lights, &c.--(See on
Matt 25:1).
36 return from the wedding--not come to it, as in the parable of the virgins. Both have their spiritual significance; but preparedness for Christ's coming is the prominent idea.
37 gird himself, &c.--"a promise the most august of all: Thus will the Bridegroom entertain his friends (nay, servants) on the solemn Nuptial Day" [BENGEL].
38 second . . . third watch--To find them ready to receive Him at any hour of day or night, when one might least of all expect Him, is peculiarly blessed. A servant may be truly faithful, even though taken so far unawares that he has not everything in such order and readiness for his master's return as he thinks is due to him, and both could and would have had if he had had notice of the time of his coming, and so may not be willing to open to him "immediately," but fly to preparation, and let his master knock again ere he admit him, and even then not with full joy. A too common case this with Christians. But if the servant have himself and all under his charge in such a state that at any hour when his master knocks, he can open to him "immediately," and hail his "return"--that is the most enviable, "blessed" servant of all.
41 unto us or even to all?--us the Twelve, or all this vast audience?
42 Who then, &c.--answering the question indirectly by another question, from which they were left to gather what it would be:--To you certainly in the first instance, representing the "stewards" of the "household" I am about to collect, but generally to all "servants" in My house.
faithful and wise--Fidelity is the first requisite in a servant, wisdom (discretion and judgment in the exercise of his functions), the next.
steward--house steward, whose it was to distribute to the servants their allotted portion of food.
shall make--will deem fit to be made.
44 make him ruler over all he hath--will advance him to the highest post, referring to the world to come. (See
Matt 25:21,
Matt 25:23).
45 begin to beat, &c.--In the confidence that his Lord's return will not be speedy, he throws off the role of servant and plays the master, maltreating those faithful servants who refuse to join him, seizing on and revelling in the fulness of his master's board; intending, when he has got his fill, to resume the mask of fidelity ere his master appear.
46 cut him in sunder--a punishment not unknown in the East; compare
Heb 11:37, "sawn asunder" (
1Sam 15:33;
Dan 2:5).
the unbelievers--the unfaithful, those unworthy of trust (
Matt 24:51), "the hypocrites," falsely calling themselves "servants."
48 knew not--that is knew but partially; for some knowledge is presupposed both in the name "servant" of Christ, and his being liable to punishment at all.
many . . . few stripes--degrees of future punishment proportioned to the knowledge sinned against. Even heathens are not without knowledge enough for future judgment; but the reference here is not to such. It is a solemn truth, and though general, like all other revelations of the future world, discloses a tangible and momentous principle in its awards.
49 to send--cast.
fire--"the higher spiritual element of life which Jesus came to introduce into this earth (compare
Matt 3:11), with reference to its mighty effects in quickening all that is akin to it and destroying all that is opposed. To cause this element of life to take up its abode on earth, and wholly to pervade human hearts with its warmth, was the lofty destiny of the Redeemer" [OLSHAUSEN: so CALVIN, STIER, ALFORD, &c.].
what will I, &c.--an obscure expression, uttered under deep and half-smothered emotion. In its general import all are agreed; but the nearest to the precise meaning seems to be, "And what should I have to desire if it were once already kindled?" [BENGEL and BLOOMFIELD].
50 But . . . a baptism, &c.--clearly, His own bloody baptism, first to take place.
how . . . straitened--not, "how do I long for its accomplishment," as many understand it, thus making it but a repetition of
Luke 12:49; but "what a pressure of spirit is upon Me."
till it be accomplished--till it be over. Before a promiscuous audience, such obscure language was fit on a theme like this; but oh, what surges of mysterious emotion in the view of what was now so near at hand does it reveal!
51 peace . . . ? Nay, &c.--the reverse of peace, in the first instance. (See on
Matt 10:34-
Matt 10:36.) The connection of all this with the foregoing warnings about hypocrisy, covetousness, and watchfulness, is deeply solemn: "My conflict hasten apace; Mine over, yours begins; and then, let the servants tread in their Master's steps, uttering their testimony entire and fearless, neither loving nor dreading the world, anticipating awful wrenches of the dearest ties in life, but looking forward, as I do, to the completion of their testimony, when, reaching the haven after the tempest, they shall enter into the joy of their Lord."
54 NOT DISCERNING THE SIGNS OF THE TIME. (
Luke 12:54-
Luke 12:59)
to the people--"the multitude," a word of special warning to the thoughtless crowd, before dismissing them. (See on
Matt 16:2-
Matt 16:3).
56 how . . . not discern, &c.--unable to perceive what a critical period that was for the Jewish Church.
57 why even of yourselves, &c.--They might say, To do this requires more knowledge of Scripture and providence than we possess; but He sends them to their own conscience, as enough to show them who He was, and win them to immediate discipleship.
58 When thou goest, &c.--(See on
Matt 5:25-
Matt 5:26). The urgency of the case with them, and the necessity, for their own safety, of immediate decision, was the object of these striking words.
