Luke 12:54 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens.

NIV: He said to the crowd: 'When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does.

NASB: And He was also saying to the crowds, 'Whenever you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out.

CSB: He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, 'A storm is coming,' and so it does.

NLT: 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.

KJV: And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

NKJV: Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is.

Tens of thousands of people have followed Jesus during the events recorded in the gospel of Luke. Most wanted healing or the food He provided (John 6:26). Some were devoted enough to be considered disciples, but many left when Jesus' teaching got too hard to accept (John 6:66). They wanted the political freedom fighter, but they needed the Savior.

Jesus has been talking about the kingdom of God, how His followers need to faithfully continue their work until it arrives and what they will need to sacrifice when it does (Luke 12:1–53). Now, He speaks to a crowd of thousands who are not ready.

A "cloud rising in the west" means rain as storm clouds come from the Mediterranean Sea. Next, Jesus will mention the south wind that brings blistering heat from the desert (Luke 12:55). The people can predict the weather from a single cloud, but they can't see that Jesus' arrival has inaugurated the kingdom of God. They see Him heal, but they don't hear His call to repent. They would rather Jesus fill their bellies than save their souls. The time is urgent, not just because judgment is coming (Luke 12:49). In fact, judgment will be delayed so more will be saved (Luke 13:6–9; 2 Peter 3:9). But even their lives are not assured. They can't rely on good deeds or obedience to the Law to save them; they need to repent now. Another day is not guaranteed (Luke 13:1–5).

Luke 12:54–56 follows along as Jesus turns His attention back to the crowd. Previously, He warned them that seeking riches can take their attention away from building a reconciled relationship with God (Luke 12:13–21). Here, Jesus chastises the crowd for their refusal to see the signs that the kingdom of God has arrived. Their response should be to repent and reconcile with other people (Luke 12:57–59) and with God (Luke 13:1–9). Their time on earth is limited; if they don't act quickly, they'll face hardships on earth and eternal separation from God. Matthew 16:2–3 includes this warning, as well.

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.