Luke 12:57 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

NIV: Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?

NASB: And why do you not even judge by yourselves what is right?

CSB: "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?

NLT: Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?

KJV: Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

NKJV: “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?

Over the course of teaching the disciples their responsibilities and priorities while He is away, Jesus was interrupted. A member of the large crowd wanted Jesus to order the man's brother to share the family inheritance. Jesus refused, saying, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?" (Luke 12:14). He then told a parable about the foolishness of spending all your time accumulating riches instead of focusing on your relationship with God. Riches are only for this life; your standing with God determines your place for eternity (Luke 12:13–21).

Jesus has just told the crowd that although they know how to predict the weather by watching a single cloud or feeling a warm breeze, they aren't paying attention to what's in front of them (Luke 12:54–56). The kingdom of God has come! It's not time to argue with family members or try to bring in an outsider to judge over family disputes. In fact, adults should be mature enough to handle such squabbles on their own. Those in the wrong should humble themselves and work out an agreement before it reaches court. If they don't, they could lose everything (Luke 12:58–59).

Even more important, they should think about their relationship with God. Like the farmer in the parable, people die unexpectedly all the time. At the time of Jesus' teaching, several had just been killed by violence and accidents. These things can't be predicted, and they happen to the good and the evil. The crowd members should make peace with their neighbor and repent to God. Delaying could mean a broken relationship on earth and eternity in hell (Luke 13:1–9).

Luke 12:57–59 expounds on Jesus' message to the disgruntled brother (Luke 12:13–14). He explains an application of the coming of the kingdom of God for the crowds that follow Him. They should know change is coming (Luke 12:54–56). Conflict with one another—especially for those in the wrong—is not helpful. The guilty party needs to make peace with the one he wronged or risk humiliation and destitution. Next, Jesus warns the crowds to repent of their sins and seek reconciliation with God or face eternity in hell (Luke 13:1–9). Matthew covered similar territory in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:25–26).

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.