Luke 12:59 — Community Reflections

LUKE 12:59 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.”

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited — the wedding-feast analogy grounds the humility teaching in the social logic of honor culture: the risk of public humiliation when displaced by a more honored guest motivates the prudent choice of the lower seat. Better to be invited up than to be moved down.

Church Fathers on Luke 12:59

Our Lord having described a rightful difference, next teaches us a rightful reconciliation, saying, When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, as you are in the way, give diligence that you may be delivered from him, &c. As if He says, When your adversary is bringing you to judgment, give diligence, that is, try every method, to be released from him. Or give diligence, that is, although you have nothing, borrow in order that you may be released from him, lest he…
Theophylact · 11th century

Where you will suffer want until you pay the last farthing; and this is what He adds, I say to you, you shall not depart hence.
Cyril of Alexandria · 5th century

It seems to me that He is speaking of the present judges, and of the way to the present judgment, and of the prison of this world. For by these things which are visible and at hand, ignorant men are wont to gain improvement. For often He gives a lesson, not only from future good and evil but from present, for the sake of His ruder hearers.
Chrysostom · 4th century

Read all 6 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a reflection on this verse

No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!