Luke 12:54-59

May 11, 2025

Luke 12:54–59 ESV

54 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. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?  57 “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

Discussion Question:

This section is divided into two parts: verses 54-56 and verses 57-59.  What is Jesus saying in each part and how do they relate to each other?

Discussion Summary:

Verses 54-56:  In Chapter 11 Jesus had denounced the religious leaders of his day.  In Chapter 12 he had set out what true discipleship was to consist of.  He is now telling the people to choose.  They should be able to make the correct choice because even man’s wisdom can discern things like the weather that are from above.  They should be able to discern Jesus’ true nature which also was from above.

The people were “wise” in their outward affairs, learning from the traditions of their fathers about things that would affect crops but when it came to spiritual traditions of their fathers and prophets, they refused to acknowledge them while at the same time professing a holiness that was not true.

The people had been given miracles, but their heart condition made them reject these signs (John 9:16).  They were unable to apply Jesus’ teachings and warnings to themselves.

The people had been given prophesies of Jesus (Daniel 9:25-27; Isaiah 53), but their heart condition made them reject these as signs (John 9:16).

Verses 57-59:   These verses state that if you had wronged a man it would be obviously wise to avert the consequences of your wrongdoing before it became too late.

Jesus was telling the nation that since the Law Covenant was accusing them of sin, they should agree with, or admit the justice of its condemnation.  Jesus was urging them to admit this quickly, while they were “still in the way.”  In other words, there was a time limit to the nation’s relationship to God under the Law Covenant.