Luke 12 14

Luke 12:14 kjv

And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

Luke 12:14 nkjv

But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"

Luke 12:14 niv

Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?"

Luke 12:14 esv

But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?"

Luke 12:14 nlt

Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?"

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 14 Meaning

When a man requested Jesus to intervene in a dispute over an inheritance, Jesus refused to act as an earthly judge or an arbiter for dividing worldly possessions. His response clearly demarcated His primary mission as spiritual, focusing on the Kingdom of God and the heart of man, rather than engaging in secular legal disputes rooted in material wealth and covetousness. He challenged the man's misunderstanding of His divine purpose, indicating that His authority was not for mundane financial arbitration.

Luke 12 14 Context

Luke 12:14 immediately follows a request made to Jesus by a man in the crowd, asking Him to tell his brother to divide an inheritance. This verse serves as Jesus' direct response, which then immediately precipitates the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21) and subsequent extensive teachings on the dangers of covetousness, material anxiety, and the importance of seeking God's Kingdom above all else (Luke 12:22-34). The chapter's broader theme is about genuine discipleship, the importance of spiritual readiness, and discerning the times, all set against the backdrop of an imminent reckoning. Historically and culturally, in ancient Israel and among Jewish communities, it was customary for revered teachers or rabbis to arbitrate disputes, including matters of inheritance. The man's request was not unusual for his time. However, Jesus' refusal challenged this expectation, redefining His role and the priorities of His mission, shifting the focus from temporal, worldly concerns to eternal, spiritual realities. This served as a subtle polemic against the idea that religious leaders were merely legal administrators for earthly matters, rather than spiritual guides.

Luke 12 14 Word analysis

• But He said to him: This introductory phrase highlights a firm response and a clear boundary setting. Jesus directly addresses the individual, signifying a personal and pointed reply.
• Man (Greek: anthrōpe, ἄνθρωπε): A common form of address, often neutral, but here used with a certain distance, possibly implying mild correction or a call to self-reflection regarding the man's worldly perspective and the misunderstanding of Jesus' role. It separates the man's focus from Jesus' divine purpose.
• who appointed Me: A rhetorical question emphasizing that Jesus did not seek, nor was He given by human authority, the role of a civil judge or a land divider. It underscores His divine self-awareness and His authority originating from God alone, not from human legal systems.
• a judge (Greek: kritēn, κριτὴν): Refers to one who gives legal decisions or condemns. This implies general legal authority, which rabbis often exercised. Jesus explicitly declines this specific kind of earthly, secular authority in this context.
• or an arbiter (Greek: ē meristēn, ἢ μεριστὴν): The conjunction "or" distinguishes this role further. Meristēs specifically means "a divider" or "one who distributes" portions, particularly in legal disputes over property or inheritance. This rare New Testament word is crucial as it precisely addresses the man's request. Jesus declines to involve Himself in the division of physical assets.
• over you: The pronoun "you" makes the refusal personal and specific to the man's request and the nature of his worldly concern, rather than a blanket denial of all forms of judgment (as Jesus will indeed judge at the end of time).

Words-group analysis

• "But He said to him, 'Man, who appointed Me': This initial group of words establishes Jesus' direct confrontation of the man's worldly expectation. It highlights His non-conformity to the expected role of a worldly arbiter and his re-assertion of His divine purpose, which is not dictated by human appointment.
• "a judge or an arbiter over you?": This phrase precisely defines the nature of the man's misguided request and Jesus' definitive refusal. By specifying both "judge" (general legal authority) and "arbiter" (specific divider of inheritance), Jesus leaves no ambiguity that He is not to be drawn into such worldly material disputes, thus re-directing focus to spiritual priorities. This questions the source of His authority in the man's perception, clarifying that He derives His authority from God for a spiritual mission, not from human need for dispute resolution.

Luke 12 14 Bonus section

Jesus' refusal in Luke 12:14 should not be misinterpreted as an avoidance of justice or a disinterest in human affairs. Rather, it signifies His wisdom in not allowing the specific temporal and materialistic nature of the request to overshadow or distort His overarching spiritual mission. His purpose was to address the root of such conflicts—covetousness (as highlighted in Lk 12:15)—rather than merely settle a dispute's superficial symptoms. His kingdom is not of this world, nor are its methods to be aligned with worldly legalism or the pursuit of temporal wealth. This passage also subtly distinguishes between Christ's first coming (where His focus was redemption and spiritual teaching) and His second coming (when He will indeed serve as the ultimate Judge of all humanity). His example serves as a potent reminder for followers and religious leaders to prioritize eternal verities over engagement in distracting temporal squabbles driven by worldly desires.

Luke 12 14 Commentary

Jesus' concise yet profound reply in Luke 12:14 is pivotal. It articulates His firm refusal to be drawn into worldly legal and material disputes, clarifying that His ministry's core is spiritual transformation, not temporal arbitration of inheritances. While rabbis of the day commonly fulfilled such roles, Jesus intentionally distanced Himself from these earthly functions. He recognized that the man's request, born of covetousness rather than spiritual hunger, sought to instrumentalize His divine power for personal gain. His query, "Who appointed Me a judge or an arbiter over you?", serves as a rhetorical correction, reminding the man (and all hearers) that His authority is of divine origin and intended for eternal purposes—preaching the Kingdom, saving souls, and revealing God's truth—not for administering civil law regarding possessions. This foundational principle underscores that believers, following Christ, should also prioritize eternal treasures and divine calling over entanglement in earthly covetousness and conflict.