Lukas 12:13-15

The Parable of the Rich Landowner

12:13 Then ¹  someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell ²  my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 12:14 But Jesus ³  said to him, “Man, ⁴  who made me a judge or arbitrator between you two?” ⁵  12:15 Then ⁶  he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourself from ⁷  all types of greed, ⁸  because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Lukas 16:14-15

More Warnings about the Pharisees

16:14 The Pharisees ⁹  (who loved money) heard all this and ridiculed ¹⁰  him. 16:15 But ¹¹  Jesus ¹²  said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in men’s eyes, ¹³  but God knows your hearts. For what is highly prized ¹⁴  among men is utterly detestable ¹⁵  in God’s sight.

[12:13]  ¹ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[12:13]  ² sn Tell my brother. In 1st century Jewish culture, a figure like a rabbi was often asked to mediate disputes, except that here mediation was not requested, but representation.

[12:14]  ³ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[12:14]  ⁴ tn This term of address can be harsh or gentle depending on the context (BDAG 82 s.v. ἄνθρωπος 8). Here it is a rebuke.

[12:14]  ⁵ tn The pronoun ὑμᾶς (Jumas) is plural, referring to both the man and his brother; thus the translation “you two.”

[12:15]  ⁶ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[12:15]  ⁷ tn See L&N 13.154 for this use of the middle voice of φυλάσσω (fulassw) in this verse.

[12:15]  ⁸ tn Or “avarice,” “covetousness.” Note the warning covers more than money and gets at the root attitude – the strong desire to acquire more and more possessions and experiences.

[16:14]  ⁹ sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.

[16:14]  ¹⁰ tn A figurative extension of the literal meaning “to turn one’s nose up at someone”; here “ridicule, sneer at, show contempt for” (L&N 33.409).

[16:15]  ¹¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

[16:15]  ¹² tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[16:15]  ¹³ tn Grk “before men.” The contrast is between outward appearance (“in people’s eyes”) and inward reality (“God knows your hearts”). Here the Greek term ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used twice in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, but “men” has been retained in the text to provide a strong verbal contrast with “God” in the second half of the verse.

[16:15]  ¹⁴ tn Or “exalted.” This refers to the pride that often comes with money and position.

[16:15]  ¹⁵ tn Or “is an abomination,” “is abhorrent” (L&N 25.187).