Luke 12:13

¶ And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

And {G1161} one {G5100} of {G1537} the company {G3793} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Master {G1320}, speak {G2036} to my {G3450} brother {G80}, that he divide {G3307} the inheritance {G2817} with {G3326} me {G1700}.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Rabbi, tell my brother to share with me the property we inherited.”

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

And one out of the multitude said unto him, Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.

In Luke 12:13, we encounter a pivotal moment where an unnamed individual interrupts Jesus' profound spiritual teaching with a request concerning a material dispute. Jesus had just been instructing His disciples and the crowd about fear of God, confessing Him before men, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:11-12).

Context

The scene unfolds amidst Jesus' discourse on spiritual matters, where He encourages His followers not to fear those who can kill the body but cannot harm the soul. Suddenly, a man from the crowd interjects, addressing Jesus as "Master" (didaskale, meaning 'teacher'), and asks Him to command his brother to divide an inheritance. Under Jewish law, inheritance disputes were typically handled by elders, scribes, or rabbis who acted as legal arbiters, not usually by spiritual teachers in this manner. This man likely saw Jesus' authority and sought to leverage it for his personal financial gain, misinterpreting Jesus' mission and authority by bringing a worldly dispute to Him.

Key Themes

  • Misplaced Priorities: The man's abrupt interruption highlights a stark contrast between spiritual concerns and worldly desires. He prioritizes material wealth over the profound spiritual truths Jesus was sharing, demonstrating a common human tendency to focus on earthly possessions rather than the Kingdom of God.
  • The Danger of Covetousness: This request serves as the direct catalyst for Jesus' subsequent warning against covetousness and the famous parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:15-21). It underscores how the desire for more can distract from eternal values and lead to spiritual blindness.
  • Jesus' Mission Defined: Jesus' refusal to act as a worldly judge or arbiter of financial disputes clarifies His primary mission. He did not come to settle legal battles over property but to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom, call people to repentance, and teach about spiritual life. This aligns with His later statement that His kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36).

Linguistic Insights

The term "Master" (Greek: didaskale) used by the man acknowledges Jesus' authority as a teacher. However, the man attempts to redirect this spiritual authority towards a very temporal, legal, and personal matter. This highlights the common human tendency to seek divine intervention for personal gain rather than spiritual transformation, even when addressing a respected teacher like Jesus.

Practical Application

Luke 12:13 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to examine their own priorities. Are we more concerned with earthly possessions, financial disputes, or personal gain than with seeking God's will and spiritual growth? Jesus' response to this man (found in the following verses) challenges us to guard against greed and to invest in eternal treasures rather than temporary ones. It encourages us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all our needs will be met according to His divine plan.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Timothy 6:5

    Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

  • Luke 6:45

    A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

  • Ezekiel 33:31

    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.

  • Acts 8:18

    And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

  • Acts 8:19

    Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

  • Psalms 17:14

    From men [which are] thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their babes.

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