Luke 12:1-58 King James Bible KJV
Warning Against Hypocrisy, Acknowledging Christ, Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus Brings Division
Luke Chapter 12:1-58. Luke Chapter 12 is a rich and varied section of the Gospel of Luke, containing teachings of Jesus that touch on several important themes, including warnings, encouragement, and instruction on how to live in light of God’s Kingdom. This chapter is about aligning one’s priorities with God’s Kingdom, trusting in His care, and living with a sense of spiritual preparedness.
- Hypocrisy vs. Truthfulness: Jesus warns against living a double life, emphasizing that what is hidden will be revealed.
- Fear and Trust in God: We are called to fear God more than people and trust in His care and provision.
- Eternal Perspective: Jesus repeatedly points to the importance of focusing on eternal treasures rather than earthly wealth or concerns.
- Faithfulness and Readiness: Jesus calls His followers to live with a sense of readiness and faithfulness, always prepared for His return.
- Division for the Sake of the Gospel: Following Jesus may cause division, even within families, as people are confronted with the choice to accept or reject His message.
Luke 12:1-58 King James Bible KJV
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Warning Against Hypocrisy – verses 1-3
Jesus begins by warning his disciples about the “yeast of the Pharisees,” which he identifies as hypocrisy. He emphasizes that nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, urging them to live transparently and truthfully, knowing that God sees everything.
Fear of God, Not People – verses 4-7
Jesus teaches his disciples not to fear those who can kill the body, but to fear God, who has power over both body and soul. However, he comforts them by affirming that God cares deeply for them, even knowing the number of hairs on their heads, and that they are precious in His sight.
Acknowledging Christ – verses 8-12
Here, Jesus stresses the importance of acknowledging Him before others. Those who confess Jesus before men will be acknowledged before the angels, while those who deny Him will be denied. He also reassures them that when they are brought before authorities for their faith, the Holy Spirit will give them the right words to say.
Parable of the Rich Fool – verses 13-21
Jesus tells the story of a rich man who stores up earthly wealth but is not “rich toward God.” The man’s life is taken unexpectedly, and his stored wealth is of no use to him. The parable serves as a warning against greed and materialism, encouraging listeners to seek eternal treasures rather than temporary, worldly wealth.
Do Not Worry – verses 22-34
Jesus encourages His disciples not to worry about material needs like food and clothing, using the examples of ravens and lilies to show how God provides for His creation. He calls them to seek God’s Kingdom first, and all their needs will be met. This passage emphasizes trust in God’s provision and a focus on spiritual priorities.
Be Watchful and Ready – verses 35-48
Jesus gives several parables about being watchful and ready for His return. He compares His followers to servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, encouraging them to remain vigilant and faithful. Those who are prepared will be blessed, but those who neglect their responsibilities will face consequences. This section underscores the importance of readiness and faithfulness in the Christian life.
Jesus Brings Division – verses 49-53
Jesus speaks of the division that His coming will bring. Although He is the Prince of Peace, His message will divide families and communities as people make decisions about whether to follow Him. This passage highlights the cost of discipleship and the reality that following Jesus may lead to tension and opposition from others.
Interpreting the Times – verses 54-59
Jesus criticizes the crowds for being able to interpret weather patterns but failing to recognize the significance of His coming and the spiritual signs around them. He urges them to settle matters quickly, using the example of someone going to court, as a metaphor for making peace with God before it’s too late.
Luke 12:1-58 King James Bible KJV
1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.