In Luke 12 we read the ongoing instruction of the Lord.  At first glance there may not seem to be a real unity, but perhaps sections appear as various parts collected from elsewhere and combined to look like one sermon.

But Luke does not write in this manner. He sticks to a chronological order and deals with matters that flow out of Christ’s condemnation of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law (Luke 11). To understand Luke 12 properly, we need to see it in its context. How these parts relate to other parts in the synoptic gospels is another matter beyond the scope of this book.

The Yeast of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1-12)⤒🔗

¹Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ²There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

⁴“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

⁸“I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. ⁹But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. ¹⁰And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

¹¹“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, ¹²for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”Luke 12:1-12

Christ and the Jewish leaders may have parted ways, but the crowds are still swelling. “Many thousands[¹had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another.” (12:1) I’m sure that also the Lord was becoming uncomfortable, for constantly these masses are in his face and he wishes to speak with his disciples.

He speaks to his disciples and continues to do so even when interrupted by someone out of the crowd. The last part of Luke 12 is directed especially to the crowd around him but certainly includes his disciples. The theme of Christ’s address is: how to deal with rising opposition and even persecution.

We find that after his discussion with the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, Christ wishes to speak with his disciples. He wants to warn them and also offer them some encouragement. Perhaps they had listened to part of the debate between the Lord and the Jewish leaders, and need to be warned and especially encouraged.

It says in 12:2 Jesus began to speak first to his disciples. There is a sense of urgency, as the word “first” suggests. He says: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” Elsewhere the Lord speaks about the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod (Mark 8:15). The disciples had some difficulty discovering what Jesus meant by yeast, but here in this chapter it becomes abundantly clear.

Yeast or leaven is a fermenting substance which causes dough to rise and bread to be fluffy and easier to chew. Yeast makes bread more palatable and digestible. The Jews were quite familiar with the qualities of yeast, for at the Passover they had to eat unleavened bread. That bread was hard and crusty.

There was not to be use of yeast in the Passover bread, because yeast has an invisible manner of working and a little yeast permeates everything. Therefore it was symbolic of the working and power of sin. The apostle Paul uses the example of yeast in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” Paul then also refers to the Passover, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)

The yeast or leaven of the Pharisees is mentioned by Christ as being hypocrisy. This means that in everything the Pharisees are merely following a routine and have not truly given their hearts to the Lord. Hypocrisy is pretended faith and quasi-obedience. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law may outwardly call Jesus a “teacher” (11:45), but in reality they are preparing to dispose of him.

The Lord also makes clear that all hypocrisy will be unmasked. “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known” (12:2). All hypocrisy will be brought to light. This is not meant to make us afraid, but to nurture in us the proper fear of the Lord. We must remember that all things will be made plain, also whether we have served the Lord sincerely or not.

The word “hypocrite” is actually the word “actor” in the original language.²Sometimes an actor is so good that he can hardly be distinguished from the real person. Satan should get an Academy Award, being the best actor on the block. People can really be fooled by others; but the Lord God knows the hearts, and he sees whether we are sincere or not.

The next verse speaks about “inner rooms”. “What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” (12:3) An “inner room” is actually like an enclosed wrap-around porch around a store room so that no one can dig his way in. That is where the whispered and secret deals were often made. But even whispers will be loudly heard, proclaimed as from the roof tops.

The Lord then encourages his disciples, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you unto hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” (12:4,5). Notice the repetition: “Yes, I tell you, fear him.” We need to take this very seriously. We must have a deep reverence for God, thankful for his grace and mercy, but also stand in awe of his justice and judgment.

The Lord uses the word “Gehenna”, which means more than Hades, the place of the dead. “Gehenna” is the hell to which unrepentant sinners are condemned.³Persecutors can only go so far in taking our life and murdering us. Even though that is not to be desired (we do not glorify martyrdom as such), still we have this comfort that our life is safe with Christ in God. We may be in the presence of God in heaven.

Christ follows this up with an amazing statement, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (12:6-7)

The sparrow is a little bird, and there are many of them, also around the temple square; they were regarded as nothing. Some were sold as food, at about five cents apiece. But God knows each and every sparrow, and Christ ensures us that we are worth more than many sparrows. We even are assured that the hairs of our head are all numbered. This is hard for us to understand, for we lose hairs every day without even noticing it, but nothing escapes the Lord’s attention. We should fear God rather than be afraid of man.

Homiletical Horizons←↰⤒🔗

I write this while living in a free country where I have the right to practise my religion. I have never been in a position where I was physically threatened because of my faith. It would be very difficult for me to accept persecution and still remain true to God.

But we should not try to assess a situation that does not exist. Those who live in freedom cannot comprehend what persecution is. There are other things that we must deal with. But should it come to actual persecution and the threat of death, I believe that God will give me what I need to remain faithful.

In the meantime, we should never forget to pray for millions of Christians who do suffer from severe persecution, and do what we can to relieve some of that suffering. If we start with prayer, who knows what the effect might be.

The Lord has more to say on this topic of persecution. Christ promises that if we acknowledge him before men, he will acknowledge us before God (12:8-10). And he warns again that whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Never deny God’s truth, for then you have sold yourself as slave to the devil.

Sometimes when faced with the prospect of persecution, fear may assault us because we think we will not know what to say. That may be true; who knows what he will say while under extreme duress? But the Lord tells us plainly: do not worry how you will defend yourself or what you will say. That should never be a problem, “For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (12:11,12)

The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)←⤒🔗

¹³Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

¹⁴Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” ¹⁵Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

¹⁶And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. ¹⁷He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

¹⁸“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

²⁰“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.  Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

²¹“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”Luke 12:13-21

As the Lord is speaking about persecution and how to endure it, “Someone in the crowd said to him. ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’” (12:13) I think this is a rather rude request. The Lord was speaking about persecutions but this man was not even listening. He had something else on his mind: the way he was cheated out of an inheritance. Instead of coming privately and explaining the matter first, he just blurts it out. His issue comes before all others.

Sometimes you meet people who have only their personal concerns, often about injustices that were done to them. They cannot really talk about something else, because one matter is the only one on their minds day and night. It is not clear exactly what the man means, but surely it was something that really bothered him.

From the Lord’s answer, however, we can learn that the man is rather greedy. He received his part of the inheritance, but he’s not satisfied because his brother received (much) more than he did.

The Lord first makes clear that he was not appointed to be a judge over this man and his brother. He says to plainly, “Man, who appointed me a judge or arbiter between you?” The word “man” indicates that Jesus was painfully hurt by this rudeness.

But in a further response, the Lord included also the people around him. “Then he said to them: ‘Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (12:15)

It is amazing how much people go by someone’s bank account.  If someone is rich, he has many friends. If someone is poor, he has virtually no friends. Rich and poor do not congregate, as if they belong to two different categories of people. The rich often look down on the poor; the poor often despise the rich.

Now the Lord does not say that we may not be “rich” or well off. What he warns for is greed, which is an insatiable need for more and more. He speaks about all kinds of greed. How many kinds are there? We should never judge a person by the abundance of his wealth. We also should not assume that we have a right to the same. We need to know the secret of contentment (Philippians 4:12,13).

The Lord then tells the people this parable about a man who stored up all things for himself but was not rich toward God (Luke 16-21). The parable is simple. A man had a farm with good soil and he received good crops, so much that his barn was full. So he decided to tear down the smaller barns and build bigger ones.

“And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for you for many years. Take life easy, eat drink and be merry.’” (12:19) What was his sin? Are there not many others saving up for a good retirement in the so-called “golden years”?  The problem lies in the fact that all he had was only for himself. He did not seek to help others or share his riches. He let others go needy and was of no help. That is evidence of greed, precisely the sin for which Jesus warned.

We read that God said to the man: “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” The conclusion is: “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God” (12:21). To call the man a fool is using strong language. In the Book of Proverbs a fool is the same as a sinner, someone who does not fear the Lord.

What does it mean to be “rich toward God?” It means that your greatest joy is to do God’s will and to promote his kingdom. Such people gladly give to the Lord and his people and glorify God with their possessions.

The Command Not to be Anxious←⤒🔗

²²Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁵Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ²⁶Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

²⁷“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

³²“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. ³³Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. ³⁴For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Luke 12:22-34

This section is closely connected to the preceding. The evidence for this lies in the word ‘therefore”. Since we cannot preserve our own life but are in God’s hands, we should not worry about our life (12:22). Our Lord makes this very emphatic when he says, “I tell you”. What Christ will now say is of great importance in the life of every believer.

We may sometimes have worries, but we should not be anxious. Here I am using other translations because I believe that there is an important distinction between worries and anxieties. Worries are the everyday concerns and cares that always remain to be challenged and overcome. Life is not worry free. Anxieties, however, are the fears that we will somehow go under. Anxiety is actually a sinful matter because in it we do not trust in the Lord. The Lord calls the anxious, “O you of little faith” (12:28). He does not say that those who are anxious have no faith or are unbelievers, but that they have little faith.

Anxiety is the result of not trusting in the Lord. It is a spiritual matter and not a psychological one. The Lord illustrates this by pointing to the ravens, lilies, and the grass. God cares for all that he has created, even those things sometimes considered unimportant or taken for granted, but even more he cares for us whom he has made in his image.

The Lord tells us that pagans search after worldly and material things. That is the only focus of their lives. The Lord uses the expression that the pagans run after these things. It is a never-ending desperate search for security that is not found. But God knows what we need and he will provide our needs. What we need to do is first seek God’s kingdom, and these things that we need, will be given as well.

Some said to me that this is “easy talking”. Well, it really is Christ talking, the man who gave up all things for our sake, who became poor so that we might be rich. This is a key matter in faith; otherwise our lives will go as that of the pagans, never happy, never satisfied, and always having to make the big score.

The Lord says, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (12:31).This does not mean that we can just let everything slide. The Lord requires of us that we work diligently. How can we ask for a blessing over our work if we do not work? Paul writes, “we gave you this rule, ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) This passage does not speak about those who cannot work but those who will not work.

We are told not to be afraid. The Lord Jesus addresses his disciples as a “little flock” (12:32). Why should we not ever be afraid? The Father has given us, bequeathed to us, the Kingdom. It is our lawful inheritance, not earned, but given to us in God’s grace in Christ.

The next verse seems kind of radical. “Sell your possessions and give to the poor” (12:33). Does the Lord mean this literally? If we sell all we have and give to the poor, will we in the end not all be poor? Don’t forget to consider the next verse. The Lord means that we provide purses for ourselves “that will not wear out” (12:33), a treasure in heaven that cannot be destroyed or stolen. The closing line in this chain of thought is, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (12:34).

Questions←⤒🔗

1. What is the difference between worry and anxiety? Is this a proper Biblical distinction?
2. What does it mean to be rich toward God?
3. Is the command to sell our possessions meant literally or as an example?
4. What is a Biblical definition of “greed”?
5. What items in your life are not “needs” but luxuries?

Keep Your Lamps Burning (Luke 12:35-48)←⤒🔗

³⁵“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. ³⁷It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. ³⁸It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. ³⁹But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁰You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

⁴¹Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

⁴²The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? ⁴³It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. ⁴⁴I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁵But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. ⁴⁶The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

⁴⁷“That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. ⁴⁸But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.Luke 12:35-48

Watchfulness (Luke 12:35-41)←⤒🔗

Many parables speak about the master who will go away and entrust his household to a steward or servant. In this parable, the master has gone to attend a wedding banquet and the servant is commanded to take care of his affairs until he returns.

It is important for us to note that this parable in its various forms refers to the Lord’s second coming. The main duty of all of God’s servants, and especially those to whom he has entrusted a certain office or special calling, is that the servants are watchful, ready, and waiting for the master to return. This connection to the Lord’s return was at this time not so clear to the apostles and hence Peter asks a question. “Lord, are you telling this parable to us or to everyone?”(12:41)

It is a continuation of the line followed this far. Those servants, who have learned to trust in their master and are focused on serving him, will also be watchful for his return.

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning” (12:35). The expression that is used literally means “gird your loins”. The clothes of people in those days were like long gowns and they needed to be tied up by leather thongs so that people wouldn’t trip over their own garments. When someone had girded up his loins, he was dressed for service, ready to work.

At the same time, since eastern houses where semi-dark to keep out the heat of the sun, it was important to have a lamp available, and especially so when it was night. Hence comes the command to keep the lamps burning. Then, when the master returned, everyone was ready to receive him properly.

The Lord raises a very interesting point, when he says, “I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.” (12:37b) Which master would so honor and serve his slaves? The Lord himself showed what he meant when he washed his disciples feet (John 13:1-17).

Servants who are to watch over the master’s goods do not always know when he will return. This is especially true of Jesus’ disciples.  The time of his return has not been made known to us. In that situation, knowing that he will come as a thief in the night, we need to be prepared always. The only way to be properly prepared is to be ready at all times.

It is at this point that Peter asks his question, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” (12:41) There may have been some confusion at this point with the disciples. They did not know of any impending departure of the Lord. Is this word therefore also meant for them and, if so, how?

Notice that the Lord does not offer Peter a direct answer. He continues in the same vein, thus indicating that he does also mean his disciples perhaps even above the crowd. He asks who then is the faithful and wise manager whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? The manager who conducts his master’s business in this way will be “put in charge of all his possessions” (12:44).

But if the manager thinks that his master is taking a long time to come back, he may think that he is always and only in charge. He begins to abuse the other servants and help himself to the master’s goods. But the master will come on a day when the servant is not ready and he will be terminated. The servant who knows his master’s will but is not ready will be beaten with many blows. But the servant, who does not know, will be beaten with few blows. Punishment is always in accordance with the crime and the responsibility given.

This leads to an important truth in the kingdom of heaven, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (12:48).

Learning to Read the Signs of the Times (Luke 12:49-59)←⤒🔗

⁴⁹"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! ⁵¹Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. ⁵²From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. ⁵³They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

⁵⁴He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does. ⁵⁵And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is. ⁵⁶Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time? ⁵⁷"Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? ⁵⁸As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. ⁵⁹I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."              Luke 12:49-59

As the Lord ponders these things about the faithfulness and perseverance of his servants, he also focuses on his own ministry and the times to which this will lead. It will not be an easy time, for people will be called to make an important decision. Christ longs for the time when all will be fulfilled, and all things are restored.

That is not yet the case. Our Lord says, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (12:49) There will be much suffering on the earth as the kingdoms collide. He longs for the day when all shall be completed, and he can say, “It is finished”.

The Lord bares his soul, “I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” (12:50) Christ has spoken about his “baptism” when James and John asked for a special place at Christ’s side in the kingdom (Mark 10:38,39). The expression refers to his suffering and death on the cross.

The Jews had a generally very optimistic view that the Messiah’s coming would lead to a kingdom of world-wide peace under Israel’s rule. But this is a faulty view not based on Scripture and contrary to the signs of the times.

Christ is speaking here about the difficult times that lie ahead for him personally but also for his church. He asks the disciples, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?” (12:51) Did not the angels sing at his birth: glory to God, and peace on earth? (Luke 2) But this “peace” would cost a great price.

Peace? Our Lord continues, “No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three”(12:52). The division will go deep and even the closest bonds of blood will be broken. “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, and mother against daughter, and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law” (12:52,53).

This is a fearsome prospect. But to deny it would mean to misinterpret the signs of the times. He said to the crowd, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain’, and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say ‘it’s going to be hot’ and it is” (12:55). Signs are not so hard to see, if you care to look.

Jesus adds, “Hypocrites!” (12:56) Remember, he is now addressing the crowds. Not the leaders, not the disciples, but all of them. Why hypocrites?  Because “you know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (12:36)

What signs does Jesus mean at this point? The signs are the messianic miracles, clear proofs that Jesus is indeed the Messiah of God. They reject the signs given, and constantly ask for more, while the evidence is right before them in Jesus’ works and words. They know when it is going to rain, but they do not know if Christ is the Messiah of God. It is sheer hypocrisy.

Our Lord adds the example of a man who is going to the magistrate with his adversary (12:57-59). He’s taking his neighbor to court. In his mind there is no doubt that he will win the court case. He will not even agree to a reconciliation attempt or come to an acceptable settlement. He does not want to hear that he will be judged and cast in prison, and will not be released until he has paid the last penny.

The Lord here appeals deeply to his people that they repent and receive him as the Messiah of God before it is too late.

Questions←⤒🔗

6. What is the general theme of Luke 12?  Is there really a theme?
7. What is the “yeast of the Pharisees”?
8. What is the “inner room”? Do you have one? Should you have one?
9. What is our task with respect to persecuted Christians?
10. How will Christ bring division instead of peace?
11. Need we be afraid of persecution?
12. Did the Messiah have an optimistic view of the future or a pessimistic one? What is your view of the future?
13. How should we speak about the future to our children or grandchildren (if we have them)?