Devine Scripture

Luke 12:54

What does Luke 12:54 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 12:54 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 12:54 means

Addressing the multitudes, Jesus notes their skill in reading the sky: a cloud rising in the west signals a coming shower, and they conclude rightly. He affirms their practical discernment in everyday matters. The observation sets up a contrast: they can interpret weather patterns but are missing a greater sign. The problem is not intelligence but spiritual dullness. They are attentive when it affects crops and travel, yet inattentive to God’s work unfolding before their eyes.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said to the multitudes also, When ye see a cloud rising in the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it cometh to pass.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said to the multitudes also, When ye see a cloud rising in the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it cometh to pass.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then he said to the people, When you see a cloud coming up in the west, straight away you say, There will be rain; and so it is.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said also to the multitudes, `When ye may see the cloud rising from the west, immediately ye say, A shower doth come, and it is so;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said also to the multitudes: When you see a cloud rising from the west, presently you say: A shower is coming. And so it happeneth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said also to the crowds, When ye see a cloud rising out of the west, straightway ye say, A shower is coming; and so it happens.

Context

After speaking of division, Jesus widens His address to the crowds. He uses familiar weather lore to expose selective discernment. This prepares the rebuke in the next verse about the south wind and heat, leading to the pointed charge of hypocrisy for failing to interpret “this time”—the moment of His ministry and its demands.

v.53They shall be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law.

v.54This passage

v.55And when ye see a south wind blowing, ye say, There will be a scorching heat; and it cometh to pass.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 16:2

    But he answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the heaven is red.

  • 1 Kings 18:44

    And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a cloud out of the sea, as small as a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Make ready thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

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