Devine Scripture

Luke 12:14

What does Luke 12:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 12:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 12:14 means

Jesus refuses the role of judge or divider in the inheritance case. His mission is not to settle every civil dispute but to call people into God’s reign and righteousness. By declining, He frees Himself to address the heart issue behind the request. He will speak to motives, not merely outcomes. This answer reminds disciples that Jesus’ kingdom does not advance by taking sides in every earthly quarrel. Instead, He seeks to transform priorities so that justice and generosity flow from changed hearts rather than imposed decrees.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he said, Man, who made me a judge or a maker of decisions for you?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said to him, `Man, who set me a judge or a divider over you?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he said to him: Man, who hath appointed me judge or divider over you?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he said to him, Man, who established me [as] a judge or a divider over you?

Context

In response to the man’s demand, Jesus rejects being conscripted into a financial arbitration. This refusal sets up His broader warning to the crowd about covetousness and the nature of true life. Having declined to legislate a division, He will instruct all hearers about a better way to live, introducing a parable that exposes the folly of trusting in wealth for security and meaning.

v.13And one out of the multitude said unto him, Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.

v.14This passage

v.15And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 5:20

    And seeing their faith, he said, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

  • Romans 9:20

    Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?

  • John 18:35

    Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

  • Exodus 2:14

    And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely the thing is known.

  • John 8:11

    And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.]

  • Romans 2:1

    Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things.

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