Luke 12
Tree of Life Version
An Aside with the Disciples
12 Meanwhile, when thousands of people had gathered, so many that they were trampling one another, Yeshua began speaking first to His disciples, “Be on guard yourselves against the hametz of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. 3 Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in private rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.
4 “I say to you, My friends, you should not be afraid of those who kill the body, since after this they have nothing more they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear. Fear the One who, after the killing, has authority to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear this One!
6 “Aren’t five sparrows being sold for two pennies?[a] Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Indeed, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. 8 Now I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9 But the one who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who slanders[b] the Ruach ha-Kodesh will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you to the synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 because the Ruach ha-Kodesh will teach you at that time what is necessary to say.”
A Request from the Crowd
13 Then someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 But Yeshua said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the material goods he possesses.” [c] 16 And Yeshua told them a parable, saying, “The land of a certain rich man produced good crops. 17 And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do? I don’t have a place to store my harvest!’ 18 And he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do! I’ll tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I’ll store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I’ll say to myself, ’O my soul, you have plenty of goods saved up for many years! So take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! Tonight your soul is being demanded back from you! And what you have prepared, whose will that be?’ [d] 21 So it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich in God.”
Instructions for the Disciples
22 Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “So I say to you, do not worry about life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens. They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than birds!
25 “And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? [e] 26 So if you cannot do even something very little, why do you worry about other things? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow. They neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. [f] 28 But if God so clothes the grass in the field—which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow—then how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
29 “So do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For all the nations of the world strive after these things. But your Father knows that you need these things. 31 Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father chose to give you the kingdom.
33 “Sell your possessions and do tzedakah. Make money pouches for yourselves that do not get old—a treasure in the heavens that never runs out, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35 “Have your belt strapped on and lamps burning. 36 Be like people waiting for their master to return from a wedding feast, so that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.
37 “Happy are those slaves whose master finds them alert when he comes. Amen, I tell you, he will prepare himself and have them recline at table, and will come and serve them.
38 “And if he comes in the second or even the third watch[g] and finds them so, they will be happy. 39 But understand this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you don’t expect.”
41 Then Peter said, “Master, are You telling this parable for us, or for everyone?”
42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their food portion at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whose master finds him so doing when he comes. 44 Truly I tell you, his master will put him in charge of all his possessions.
45 “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is taking a long time to come,’ and he begins to beat the young slave boys and girls and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. And he will cut him in two and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
47 “That slave who knew his master’s will but did not prepare or act according to his desire will be harshly whipped. 48 But the one who did not know and did things worthy of a beating will be whipped lightly. From everyone given much, much will be required; and from the one for whom more is provided, all the more they will ask of him.
49 “I came to pour out fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze! 50 But I have an immersion to endure,[h] and how distressed I am until it is finished!
51 “Do you suppose that I have come to bring shalom on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on there will be five in one house in opposition, three against two and two against three. 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.”[i]
Lessons for the Crowds
54 Then He also was saying to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, instantly you say, ‘A rainstorm is coming’—and so it is. 55 And when a south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It will be a scorcher’—and so it is. 56 Hypocrites! The surface of the earth and sky you know how to interpret yet you don’t know how to interpret this present time? 57 Why can’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 For while you are going with your accuser to the authorities, make an effort to come to a settlement with him—so he doesn’t drag you before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer of the court, and the officer of the court throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid back the last little bit.”[j]
Footnotes
- Luke 12:6 Lit. assarion, a small, nearly worthless Roman copper coin.
- Luke 12:10 Lit. blasphemes.
- Luke 12:16 cf. Exod. 20:14(17).
- Luke 12:21 cf. Ps. 39:6(5); Job 27:8; Jer. 17:11.
- Luke 12:26 Or a cubit to his height; 1 cubit = 1.5 feet.
- Luke 12:28 cf. 1 Ki. 10:4-7.
- Luke 12:38 2nd watch: 9 pm – 12am; 3rd watch: 12 am – 3 am.
- Luke 12:50 cf. Mk. 10:38.
- Luke 12:53 cf. Mic. 7:6-7(LXX).
- Luke 12:59 Lit. the last lepton, a small copper coin of little value.
Luke 12
New American Standard Bible
God Knows and Cares
12 Under these circumstances, after [a]so many thousands of [b]people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “(A)Beware of the [c]leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 (B)But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3 Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have [d]whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on (C)the housetops.
4 “Now I say to you, (D)My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: (E)fear the One who, after He has killed someone, has the power to throw that person into [e](F)hell; yes, I tell you, fear [f]Him! 6 Are (G)five sparrows not sold for two [g]assaria? And yet not one of them has gone unnoticed in the sight of God. 7 (H)But even the hairs of your head are all counted. [h]Do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows.
8 “Now I say to you, everyone who (I)confesses Me before people, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God; 9 but (J)the one who denies Me before people will be denied (K)before the angels of God. 10 (L)And everyone who [i]speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. 11 Now when they bring you before (M)the synagogues and the officials and the authorities, do not (N)worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12 for (O)the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Greed Denounced
13 Now someone [j]in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, “[k](P)You there—who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over the two of you?” 15 But He said to them, “(Q)Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. 19 And I will say to [l]myself, “(R)You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘(S)You fool! This very night [m](T)your soul is demanded of you; and (U)as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ 21 Such is the one who (V)stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”
22 And He said to His disciples, “(W)For this reason I tell you, [n]do not worry about your [o]life, as to what you are to eat; nor for your body, as to what you are to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the (X)ravens, that they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor (Y)barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add a [p](Z)day to his [q]life’s span? 26 Therefore if you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about the other things? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither labor nor [r]spin; but I tell you, not even (AA)Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28 Now if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? (AB)You of little faith! 29 And do not [s]seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not (AC)keep worrying. 30 For [t]all these things are what the nations of the world [u]eagerly seek; and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But [v]seek His kingdom, and (AD)these things will be [w]provided to you. 32 [x](AE)Do not be afraid, (AF)little flock, because (AG)your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom.
33 “(AH)Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts that do not wear out, (AI)an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor does a moth destroy. 34 For (AJ)where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Be in Readiness
35 “[y](AK)Be prepared, and keep your (AL)lamps lit. 36 You are also to be like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find (AM)on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that (AN)he will [z]prepare himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and he will come up and serve them. 38 (AO)Whether he comes in the [aa]second watch, or even in the [ab]third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
39 “(AP)But [ac]be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be (AQ)broken into. 40 (AR)You too, be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think He will.”
41 Peter said, “Lord, are You telling this parable to us, or (AS)to everyone else as well?” 42 And (AT)the Lord said, “(AU)Who then is the faithful and sensible (AV)steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that (AW)slave whom his [ad]master finds so doing when he comes. 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will take a long time to come,’ and he begins to beat the other slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know, and will [ae]cut him in two, and assign [af]him a place with the unbelievers. 47 And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accordance with his will, will (AX)receive many blows, 48 but the one who did not (AY)know it, and committed acts deserving of [ag]a beating, will receive only a few blows. (AZ)From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
Christ Divides People
49 “I [ah]have come to cast fire upon the earth; and [ai]how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a (BA)baptism [aj]to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! 51 (BB)Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; 52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, (BC)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.”
54 And He was also saying to the crowds, “(BD)Whenever you see a cloud rising [ak]in the west, you immediately say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out. 55 And whenever you feel a [al]south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a (BE)hot day,’ and it turns out that way. 56 You hypocrites! (BF)You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you do not know how to analyze this present time?
57 “And (BG)why do you not even judge by yourselves what is right? 58 For (BH)when you are going with your accuser to appear before the magistrate, on the way, make an effort to [am]settle with him, so that he does not drag you before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out of there until you have paid up [an]the very last [ao](BI)lepton.”
Footnotes
- Luke 12:1 Lit myriads
- Luke 12:1 Lit the crowd
- Luke 12:1 I.e., fermented dough
- Luke 12:3 Lit spoken to the ear
- Luke 12:5 Gr Gehenna
- Luke 12:5 Lit this one
- Luke 12:6 A Roman copper coin (singular assarion), about 1/16 of a laborer’s daily wage
- Luke 12:7 Or Stop being afraid
- Luke 12:10 Lit will speak
- Luke 12:13 Lit from
- Luke 12:14 Lit Man, who
- Luke 12:19 Lit my soul, “Soul, you have...”
- Luke 12:20 Lit they are demanding your soul from you
- Luke 12:22 Or stop being worried
- Luke 12:22 Lit soul
- Luke 12:25 Lit cubit (about 18 in. or 45 cm)
- Luke 12:25 Or height
- Luke 12:27 I.e., spin thread for cloth
- Luke 12:29 Or keep seeking
- Luke 12:30 Or these things all the nations of the world
- Luke 12:30 Or wish for
- Luke 12:31 Or continually seek
- Luke 12:31 Or added to
- Luke 12:32 Or Stop being afraid
- Luke 12:35 Lit Have your waist belted
- Luke 12:37 Lit belt himself up
- Luke 12:38 I.e., 9 p.m. to midnight
- Luke 12:38 I.e., midnight to 3 a.m.
- Luke 12:39 Lit know
- Luke 12:43 Or lord
- Luke 12:46 Possibly referring to other extreme punishment
- Luke 12:46 Lit his part with
- Luke 12:48 Lit blows
- Luke 12:49 Or came
- Luke 12:49 Lit what do I wish if...?
- Luke 12:50 Lit with which to be baptized
- Luke 12:54 I.e., from the Mediterranean
- Luke 12:55 I.e., from the desert
- Luke 12:58 Lit be rid of him
- Luke 12:59 Lit even the last
- Luke 12:59 The smallest Greek copper coin, about 1/128 of a laborer’s daily wage
Luke 12
New Living Translation
A Warning against Hypocrisy
12 Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell.[a] Yes, he’s the one to fear.
6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins[b]? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man[c] will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Teaching about Money and Possessions
22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming
35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn.[d] But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
41 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”
42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.
47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
Jesus Causes Division
49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.
53 ‘Father will be divided against son
and son against father;
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother;
and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’[e]”
54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.
57 “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? 58 When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. 59 And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.[f]”
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
