Lucas 12:1

This chapter is a well-organized sermon appropriately spoken by Jesus Christ shortly after he walked out of the Pharisee's house, which was attended by uncounted thousands of people. The scholarly allegation that "We have here a group of discourses loosely put together in a framework ascribed to Luke"[1] is superficial, unsustained by any valid argument, and contradicted, absolutely, by the logical arrangement and order of the sermon itself, as well as by its obvious and appropriate connection with the events of the occasion. As Geldenhuys said, "From Luke 12 we receive no other impression but that the Lord spoke all these words on one occasion."[2] There are in this remarkable sermon a series of nine warnings, as follows:

Warning against the leaven of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1-7).

Warning against the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:8-12).

Warning against covetousness (Luke 12:13-21).

Warning against anxieties (Luke 12:22-34).

Warning against failure to "watch" (Luke 12:35-40).

Warning against unfaithfulness (Luke 12:41-48).

Warning against divisions due to God's word (Luke 12:49-53).

Warning against ignoring the signs of the time (Luke 12:54-56).

Warning against failure to make peace with God now (Luke 12:57-59).

Here is an example of the most careful organization, the most perfect order and progression in a discourse, so beautiful and persuasive that the disorganized sermons and books men produce today are unworthy of comparison with such a discourse as this. Even scholars who seem doubtful of Jesus' use of the same, and similar, pronouncements in various situations are willing to confess that this discourse fits the situation perfectly. Dummelow said, "This speech is not unsuitable to the context in Luke."[3] Many of the sayings in this chapter are closely similar to passages recorded in the other synoptics as having been uttered in other contexts, or with a different emphasis, or for the support of different teachings; but as often stated in this work, it is absolutely certain that Jesus, like any other speaker, would have done exactly that.

[1] J. M. Creed, The Gospel according to St. Luke (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1942), en loco.

[2] Norval Geldenhuys, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1951), p. 350.

[3] J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 753.

In the meantime, when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1)

I. Warning against the leaven of the Pharisees.

In the meantime ... refers to the time-lapse following Jesus' rising up and leaving the Pharisee's house where he had just dined.

The leaven of the Pharisees ... is plainly identified here as hypocrisy; but Jesus used the same word in Matthew 16:6 as a reference to the teaching of that group (see my Commentary on Matthew, Matthew 16:5-6). Why should not Jesus have done this? The word is fully applicable to both. As Godet said, "Leaven is the emblem of every active principle, good or bad, which possesses the power of assimilation."[4]

Hypocrisy ... This is a "literary term used in connection with Greek drama and means `play-acting'."[5] Long usage of the word in a Christian context refers it to insincere pretensions to religious piety. Lamar pointed out that our Lord's use of leaven as an emblem of both the teaching and the hypocrisy of the Pharisees shows that "The essence of their doctrine was hypocrisy; that being at once leaven and hypocrisy, its inevitable effect being to make hypocrites, to reproduce itself."[6]

Unto his disciples first of all ... This has the meaning that "He addressed himself first to his disciples, that is, to the Twelve. First here means primarily."[7] Some of the teaching in this chapter applies especially to the twelve apostles.

[4] F. A. Godet, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke (Edinburgh: T. and T. Clarke, n.d.), II, p. 89.

[5] Charles L. Childers, Beacon Bible Commentary (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1964), p. 517.

[6] J. S. Lamar, Commentary on Luke (Cincinnati, Ohio: Chase and Hall, 1877), p. 173.

[7] Ray Summers, Commentary on Luke (Waco, Texas: Word Books, Publisher, 1974), p. 151.