Devine Scripture

Luke 12:13

What does Luke 12:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 12:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 12:13 means

A man in the crowd asks Jesus to command his brother to divide an inheritance. The request treats Jesus like a civil arbitrator rather than Lord. It reveals how easily people approach spiritual leaders to solve financial grievances while ignoring deeper heart issues. The man’s focus is on getting his share, not on righteousness or reconciliation. Jesus will not be co-opted into such a role; instead, He turns the interruption into a lesson on greed. The scene warns hearers not to enlist God to bless their covetousness, but to submit their desires to His kingdom priorities.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And one out of the multitude said unto him, Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And one out of the multitude said unto him, Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And one of the people said to him, Master, give an order to my brother to make division of the heritage with me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And a certain one said to him, out of the multitude, `Teacher, say to my brother to divide with me the inheritance.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And one of the multitude said to him: Master, speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And a person said to him out of the crowd, Teacher, speak to my brother to divide the inheritance with me.

Context

This interruption shifts the topic from persecution and confession to possessions. The suddenness shows how earthly concerns can intrude upon spiritual teaching. Jesus will decline the judicial role and then address the root problem—covetousness—leading into the parable of the rich fool. This transition matters because it exposes a different kind of danger for disciples: not external pressure, but internal seduction by wealth.

v.12for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say.

v.13This passage

v.14But he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Timothy 6:5

    wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.

  • Psalms 17:14

    From men by thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, whose portion is inthislife, And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure: They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

  • Luke 6:45

    The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

  • Ezekiel 33:31

    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but do them not; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their gain.

  • Acts 8:18

    Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

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