Luke 12:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

NIV: Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

NASB: Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom.

CSB: Don't be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.

NLT: So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

KJV: Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

NKJV: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Jesus is teaching His disciples about priorities in the kingdom of God. This comes in response to a man angry that his brother will not divide the family inheritance as he sees fit. This man covets what his brother has and desires to accumulate wealth. To point out the futility of such an attitude, Jesus tells a parable of a man who brings in a great harvest and builds barns to store it, but then dies. His wealth will do him no good when he is dead (Luke 12:13–21).

Both the brother and the fictional wealthy farmer wanted to "lay up treasure" on earth but were not "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). They should have sought God's kingdom, first (Luke 12:31). Possessions can be lost through theft or destruction, and they will certainly be forfeit at the death of the owner. It is foolish to prioritize the accumulation of temporary objects when God wants to give us an inheritance in His eternal kingdom (Luke 12:33–34).

We should not place our hearts' desire on accumulating earthly things that will be destroyed. Nor should we be anxious about getting what we need while we're here. God knows what we need, and He will provide. Our lives are more valuable than worrying over food and clothing. We have the privilege of seeking God's kingdom. If we prioritize this eternal treasure, we won't be afraid of the needs of earth (Luke 12:22–31).

Luke 12:22–34 records Jesus telling His disciples to lay down anxiety and trust God for physical needs. He has already told them to reject fame, fear of death, and reliance on riches (Luke 12:1–21). Later, He will tell them they may have to leave family, as well (Luke 12:49–53). Instead, they need to focus on the task that Jesus will give them (Luke 12:35–48), to build the church after His ascension. Matthew 6:25–34 covers the same teaching, although perhaps at a different time and place.

Jesus teaches the disciples about proper priorities. This includes recognizing that God knows all things, even secrets. Believers should honor God more than they fear death, or than they worry about things like food and clothes. Christians are to remain ready for Christ's return, even as faith separates those who believe from those who do not. These ideas revolve around the central theme of verse 34: that a person's heart reflects what they value most.

Luke 12:1—13:9 compares the world with the kingdom of God. Jesus has condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Luke 11:14–54). He now instructs His disciples to reject the fame and security that Pharisees crave, and hold lightly to their lives, wealth, security, and even family. He then warns the crowd to be wise about their relationships with other people and with God. The next two units each include a miracle and teaching on God's kingdom and salvation (Luke 13:10—15:32). Then the final section in the "travelogue" repeats that three-unit pattern (Luke 16:1—19:27) before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.