12:1 By this time, thousands of people had gathered together – stepping on one another. Jesus started by first saying to his disciples, “Be careful of the yeast of the pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”
12:2 For there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed – and hidden that will not be known.
12:3 Instead, whatever you say in the dark will be heard in the light – and what you whisper in secret will be proclaimed upon the rooftops.
12:4 I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body and after that, can do nothing more.
12:5 Yet I will show you who to fear: Fear the One who has the authority to cast you into hell after death. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.
12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them will be forgotten by God.
12:7 Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t worry, you are more valuable than many sparrows.
12:8 Yet I tell you, anyone who affirms me before people – the Servant of Humanity will also affirm him before the angels of God.
12:9 Yet one who denies me before people – will be denied before the angels of God.
12:10 And anyone who speaks against the Servant of Humanity will be forgiven. But one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
12:11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the chiefs and the authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what you are to say.
12:12 Because the Holy Spirit will instruct you in that moment what you should say.
12:13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the family inheritance with me.”
12:14 Yet he said to him, “Man, who appointed me as judge or arbitrator over you?”
12:15 Then he told them, “Be careful and be on guard against every form of greed. Even if one has an abundance, life doesn’t consist of possessions.”
12:16 Then he told them an analogy: “The land of a rich man was very fertile.
12:17 So he thought to himself, ‘What should I do since I have no place to store my crops?’
12:18 Then he said, ‘Okay, I will tear down my barns and build some larger ones. I will store all my grain and goods there.
12:19 Then I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years to come. Take it easy – drink and be merry.’
12:20 But God said to him, ‘You fool – this very night your soul is demanded back. Now who will own all you have prepared for?’
12:21 Thus is the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not abundant towards God.”
12:22 Thus he explained to his students, “For this reason I tell you, don’t worry about yourself – or about your body: What you will eat or what you will wear.
12:23 Because the soul is greater than food just as the body is greater than clothing.
12:24 Consider the ravens: For they neither sow nor reap – they have no storage or barn – and yet God feeds them. You are much more valuable than birds.
12:25 And which of you, by worrying, can add a single moment to your lifespan?
12:26 If you cannot do even this little thing, why do you worry about other matters?
12:27 Consider the lilies – how they grow: They don’t struggle or spin. Yet I tell you, Solomon in all his splendor was not even clothed like one of these.
12:28 Yet if God can so clothe the grasses of the field – which are alive today but tomorrow are thrown into the oven – how much more will He clothe you – you people with little faith?
12:29 So don’t focus on what you will eat and what you will drink – and stop worrying.
12:30 Because the materialists crave for these – yet your Creator knows what things you need.
12:31 But seek His refuge and these things will be added to you.
12:32 Don’t be afraid, little flock. Because your Creator has gladly chosen to give you sanctuary.
12:33 Sell your possessions and give to charity. Instead, make yourselves money belts that don’t wear out: The eternal treasure in the spiritual realm – where no thief comes close and no moth destroys.
12:34 For where your treasure lies, there your heart will also be.
12:35 Be equipped with knowledge and keep your light shining.
12:36 Be like people waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast – so they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks.
12:37 Happy are those servants whom the master will find prepared when he comes. Truly, I tell you that he will attach himself to his service and have them sit at the table, and will come and wait on them.
12:38 Even if he arrives in the second watch or even in the third and finds them – so happy will be that servant.
12:39 But know this – if the head of the house had known what time the thief was coming he wouldn’t have allowed his house to be broken into.
12:40 You too must be ready, because the Servant of Humanity will appear at the time1 you least expect.”
12:41 Peter asked, “Master, are you addressing this analogy to us or to everyone else as well?”
12:42 The Master replied, “Who then is the trusting and prudent steward whom his master will put in charge of his servants to give them their meals at the proper time?
12:43 Happy will be that servant whom his master finds so doing when he arrives.
12:44 Truly, I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
12:45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master won’t come for a long time,’ and starts beating the slaves – both men and women – and eats and drinks and gets drunk –
12:46 the master of that servant will arrive on the day he is least expected, at that moment he doesn’t expect, and will cut him into pieces and assign him a place with the distrustful.
12:47 And that servant who knew his master’s will and didn’t get ready or act in accordance with what his master wants will receive many lashes.
12:48 But the one who didn’t know it and does things deserving of a whipping will receive only a few. For one who has been given a lot – a lot will be required. And to whom has been entrusted with much – more will be asked.
12:49 I have come to cast fire upon the earth. And how I wish it was already kindled.
12:50 Yet I have a challenge to undergo, and I will press on until it is done.
12:51 Do you think I appeared to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, no – but rather, division.
12:52 Because from now on, five members in one household will be divided against two, and two against three.
12:53 They 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.”
12:54 Then he also told the crowd, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it does.
12:55 And when you see a South wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and so it is.
12:56 You hypocrites – you know how to discern the appearance of the earth and sky, but why can’t you discern the current situation?
12:57 Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?
12:58 Because, if you are going to appear before the judge with your adversary – why not on your way make the effort to settle with him so that he won’t drag you before the judge and the judge turns you over to the guard and he tosses you in prison?
12:59 I tell you, you won’t get out of there until you’ve paid the very last cent.”
Footnote:
1. Verse 12:40. The reference is to the time of death. This is the allegorical “thief” referenced in Luke 12:39.
12:2 For there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed – and hidden that will not be known.
12:3 Instead, whatever you say in the dark will be heard in the light – and what you whisper in secret will be proclaimed upon the rooftops.
12:4 I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body and after that, can do nothing more.
12:5 Yet I will show you who to fear: Fear the One who has the authority to cast you into hell after death. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.
12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them will be forgotten by God.
12:7 Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t worry, you are more valuable than many sparrows.
12:8 Yet I tell you, anyone who affirms me before people – the Servant of Humanity will also affirm him before the angels of God.
12:9 Yet one who denies me before people – will be denied before the angels of God.
12:10 And anyone who speaks against the Servant of Humanity will be forgiven. But one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
12:11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the chiefs and the authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what you are to say.
12:12 Because the Holy Spirit will instruct you in that moment what you should say.
12:13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the family inheritance with me.”
12:14 Yet he said to him, “Man, who appointed me as judge or arbitrator over you?”
12:15 Then he told them, “Be careful and be on guard against every form of greed. Even if one has an abundance, life doesn’t consist of possessions.”
12:16 Then he told them an analogy: “The land of a rich man was very fertile.
12:17 So he thought to himself, ‘What should I do since I have no place to store my crops?’
12:18 Then he said, ‘Okay, I will tear down my barns and build some larger ones. I will store all my grain and goods there.
12:19 Then I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years to come. Take it easy – drink and be merry.’
12:20 But God said to him, ‘You fool – this very night your soul is demanded back. Now who will own all you have prepared for?’
12:21 Thus is the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not abundant towards God.”
12:22 Thus he explained to his students, “For this reason I tell you, don’t worry about yourself – or about your body: What you will eat or what you will wear.
12:23 Because the soul is greater than food just as the body is greater than clothing.
12:24 Consider the ravens: For they neither sow nor reap – they have no storage or barn – and yet God feeds them. You are much more valuable than birds.
12:25 And which of you, by worrying, can add a single moment to your lifespan?
12:26 If you cannot do even this little thing, why do you worry about other matters?
12:27 Consider the lilies – how they grow: They don’t struggle or spin. Yet I tell you, Solomon in all his splendor was not even clothed like one of these.
12:28 Yet if God can so clothe the grasses of the field – which are alive today but tomorrow are thrown into the oven – how much more will He clothe you – you people with little faith?
12:29 So don’t focus on what you will eat and what you will drink – and stop worrying.
12:30 Because the materialists crave for these – yet your Creator knows what things you need.
12:31 But seek His refuge and these things will be added to you.
12:32 Don’t be afraid, little flock. Because your Creator has gladly chosen to give you sanctuary.
12:33 Sell your possessions and give to charity. Instead, make yourselves money belts that don’t wear out: The eternal treasure in the spiritual realm – where no thief comes close and no moth destroys.
12:34 For where your treasure lies, there your heart will also be.
12:35 Be equipped with knowledge and keep your light shining.
12:36 Be like people waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast – so they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks.
12:37 Happy are those servants whom the master will find prepared when he comes. Truly, I tell you that he will attach himself to his service and have them sit at the table, and will come and wait on them.
12:38 Even if he arrives in the second watch or even in the third and finds them – so happy will be that servant.
12:39 But know this – if the head of the house had known what time the thief was coming he wouldn’t have allowed his house to be broken into.
12:40 You too must be ready, because the Servant of Humanity will appear at the time1 you least expect.”
12:41 Peter asked, “Master, are you addressing this analogy to us or to everyone else as well?”
12:42 The Master replied, “Who then is the trusting and prudent steward whom his master will put in charge of his servants to give them their meals at the proper time?
12:43 Happy will be that servant whom his master finds so doing when he arrives.
12:44 Truly, I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
12:45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master won’t come for a long time,’ and starts beating the slaves – both men and women – and eats and drinks and gets drunk –
12:46 the master of that servant will arrive on the day he is least expected, at that moment he doesn’t expect, and will cut him into pieces and assign him a place with the distrustful.
12:47 And that servant who knew his master’s will and didn’t get ready or act in accordance with what his master wants will receive many lashes.
12:48 But the one who didn’t know it and does things deserving of a whipping will receive only a few. For one who has been given a lot – a lot will be required. And to whom has been entrusted with much – more will be asked.
12:49 I have come to cast fire upon the earth. And how I wish it was already kindled.
12:50 Yet I have a challenge to undergo, and I will press on until it is done.
12:51 Do you think I appeared to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, no – but rather, division.
12:52 Because from now on, five members in one household will be divided against two, and two against three.
12:53 They 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.”
12:54 Then he also told the crowd, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it does.
12:55 And when you see a South wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and so it is.
12:56 You hypocrites – you know how to discern the appearance of the earth and sky, but why can’t you discern the current situation?
12:57 Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?
12:58 Because, if you are going to appear before the judge with your adversary – why not on your way make the effort to settle with him so that he won’t drag you before the judge and the judge turns you over to the guard and he tosses you in prison?
12:59 I tell you, you won’t get out of there until you’ve paid the very last cent.”
Footnote:
1. Verse 12:40. The reference is to the time of death. This is the allegorical “thief” referenced in Luke 12:39.
