Luke 12 - Indepthbible.org

darkness, will be heard in the light; and that which you people spoke in the ear in the secretplaces will be proclaimed upon the roof-tops. 25262527 2528 252912.4 But then I say to you people, to the friends of Mine, do not be afraid of those2530 2531who are killing the body, and after these things do not have anything more to do. 12.5 But2524(...continued)different contexts, resulting in a number of minor verbal differences. In addition, we have toreckon with the fact that Jesus probably taught the same thing on many different occasions andsettings.2525Fitzmyer translates the phrase avnqV w-n by "Accordingly..." The preposition avnti, means"instead of," "in place of," and can also mean "on behalf of,” or even “against.” BAGD (pp. 73-74)states that the phrase avnti. tou/to means "for this reason," and that the present phrase means "inreturn for which," or "because," or even "therefore." Perhaps it means "because of these things"in this passage. Nolland holds that here it means "Therefore..." (2, p. 677) The phrase occurs inthe Greek New Testament only here and Luke 1:20; 19:44; Acts 12:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10.2526So, Jesus teaches, don't pretend to be something that you are not, for one day everythinghidden will be brought to the light. Don't whisper things in the dark, or in secret places,things that you think will be hidden and unknown, because one day your every word will be heardfully and openly. Be consistent in your words, and in your lives–not hypocrites!2527Luke 12:4-5 is to be compared with Matthew 10:28. Luke introduces this teaching ofJesus with the phrase, "But then I say to you people, the friends of Mine," which is missing inMatthew, where the statement is introduced by the conjunction kai, "and..." Where Matthew hasonly "but then the innermost being not being able to kill," Luke has "and after these things nothaving anything more to do." Where Matthew has "But then you people fear more the One beingable to destroy both the innermost being and body in Valley of Hinnom," Luke has "But then I willshow you people which One you should fear: fear the One Who, after killing, has authority to castinto the Valley of Hinnom." Luke ends this teaching of Jesus with the additional saying, "Yes, Isay to you people, fear this One.", which has no parallel in Matthew.2528This is the only place in the Synoptic Gospels where Jesus is depicted as addressingHis disciples as "My friends." Nolland comments that "Luke has added the fresh beginning here,'I say to you, My friends' (a small Johannine touch [compare John 15:13-15] or a Hellenisticflourish?)." (2, p. 677)2529The 2nd person plural aorist passive verb fobhqh/te, "be afraid," "fear," is changed toread ptohqh/te, "be terrified," "be alarmed," by P45 and Minuscule 700. The variant readingdoes not change the meaning of Jesus' teaching, but only substitutes a somewhat strongersynonym for the word found in the original.2530Nolland comments that "The supreme challenge to the profession of faith is the threat ofdeath. The Acts account knows of those who have paid the supreme cost in this manner." (2, p.678) It is to be remembered that the death involved here is that of martyrs, who die as a result of(continued...)1223