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Home Luke 12:54-59 NRSVue

Luke 12:54-59 NRSVue

54He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain,’ and so it happens. 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56You 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? 58Thus when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to reach a settlement, or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison. 59I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Reflection on Luke 12:54-59

Inspiration from 2026-10-23 Daily Prayer

Jesus rebuked the crowds who knew how to interpret the weather but who missed what was right in front of them. He taught that God’s kingdom had come. The crowds who followed him saw the signs and miracles he performed. He called them hypocrites because they were open to the ways of the world. They had the intelligence to know that it was better to settle a case before it went to court, but their minds were closed about spiritual things. 

Further reflection

Jesus clearly feels that many of his listeners are too complacent about the call to conversion and they need to be shaken up.

In what way am I complacent? How is God calling me to live a new and better life and what are my resistances?

Can I allow Jesus to challenge my resistance?

Lord, you are shaking my complacency. You ask me to judge the signs of the times, to recognise what is evil, greedy and perverse and to take sides for justice and mercy. Teach me to interpret the present time with your eyes.

The realism of Jesus comes across in these sayings. The writer of the gospel in a persecuted society leans on sayings which advise taking notice of what is going on and the interpreting of what may happen in the future - with a recommendation, in a court case, to settle out of court if possible! It is not always easy to pray some of Jesus' sayings - here maybe we ask his help in the difficulties we face, and the humility to take the ordinary human steps we need to take in our varied dilemmas.