E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 12:35
lights = lamps. See App-130 . read more
lights = lamps. See App-130 . read more
Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him. 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 sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them... read more
Luke 12:35-36. Let your loins be girded about— As the eastern nations wore long garments, it was necessary that, when they had any thing to do which required them to exert their strength or agility, they should tuck them up, and gird them close; a practice to which there are frequent references both in the Old Testament and the New. That the lamps should be found extinguished, might be an inconvenient circumstance to the master, would deprive his procession of all its grandeur, and would be a... read more
35-40. loins . . . girded—to fasten up the long outer garment, always done before travel and work (2 Kings 4:29; Acts 12:8). The meaning is, Be in readiness. lights, &c.—(See on Acts 12:8- :). read more
Jesus’ encouragement 12:35The word "treasure" occurred at the beginning and the end of the preceding teaching and indicated its subject (Luke 12:21; Luke 12:34). Likewise the word "ready" serves the same function in this pericope (Luke 12:35; Luke 12:40). Disciples need to be ready for service and ready to dispel the darkness in the future as they do in the present. read more
The importance of readiness 12:35-40Jesus pictured His disciples as servants waiting expectantly for their master’s return (cf. Mark 13:33-37). He promised them a reward beyond imagination for their faithfulness. The parable of the 10 virgins is similar to this one in its teaching (cf. Matthew 25:1-13). read more
4. The coming of the Son of Man 1:12:35-48Jesus’ teaching of the disciples continued without a break. However the subject shifted from ceasing to be anxious about material possessions to being ready for the Son of Man’s coming. Freedom from anxiety can lead to laziness. Jesus did not want His disciples to be lazy but to prepare for His return. He taught this lesson with two parables. This teaching is the first indication in Luke that Jesus would leave His disciples and then return to them later. read more
The Leaven of the Pharisees. The Rich Fool1-12. Jesus warns His followers against Pharisaic hypocrisy, and exhorts them to be courageous in face of opposition. This speech is not unsuitable to the context in St. Luke, but the whole of the sayings are found also in St. Matthew’s Gospel, generally in a more natural connexion (mostly in the charge to the Twelve, Luke 10:5-42). Perhaps St. Luke here groups together savings spoken at different times.1. When there were] RV ’when the many thousands of... read more
(35) Let your loins be girded . . .—To “gird up the loins” was, in Eastern habits and with Eastern garments, the received symbol of readiness for active service (Luke 12:37; Luke 17:8; 1 Kings 18:46; 2 Kings 1:8; John 13:4; 1 Peter 1:13). The “lights” are the lamps (as in Matthew 5:15) which the watchful hold in their hands. What follows has the interest of presenting the germ of the thought which was afterwards developed into the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. (See Notes on Matthew... read more
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 12:35-53
96. Be prepared at all times (Luke 12:35-53)The followers of Jesus must always be ready for whatever circumstances they meet. They are likened to household servants waiting for their master to return home after a feast. Whether the master arrives home earlier or later than expected, he will be pleased if the servants are ready and waiting for him. Though they have merely done their duty, he may give them an unexpected reward by serving them a meal (Luke 12:35-38).Another illustration of... read more