Luke 12:56
What does Luke 12:56 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:56 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:56 means
Jesus names them hypocrites for interpreting earth and sky but not the present time. Hypocrisy here is selective attention: sharp where interests lie, dull where repentance is required. “This time” refers to the decisive season of Jesus’ ministry—the arrival of God’s kingdom in word and deed. Their failure to read it is moral, not merely intellectual. He calls them to recognize the moment and respond appropriately, rather than hiding behind everyday competence to avoid spiritual accountability.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye hypocrites, ye know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that ye know not how to interpret this time?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye hypocrites, ye know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that ye know not how to interpret this time?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O false ones! the face of the earth and the heaven is clear to you; how is it that the signs of these times are not as clear to you?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862hypocrites! the face of the earth and of the heaven ye have known to make proof of, but this time--how do ye not make proof of <FI>it<Fi> ?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You hypocrites, you know how to discern the face of the heaven and of the earth: but how is it that you do not discern this time?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Hypocrites, ye know how to judge of the appearance of the earth and of the heaven; how [is it then that] ye do not discern this time?
Context
This stinging rebuke summarizes the crowd’s condition. Jesus has shown the divisive effects of His mission and now indicts the failure to grasp its urgency. He will proceed to urge personal judgment—deciding what is right—and to illustrate prudence with the scenario of settling with an adversary on the way to court, emphasizing the need to act before judgment falls.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Malachi 4:2
But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.
- 1 Chronicles 12:32
And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
- Acts 3:24
Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.
- Malachi 3:1
Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom ye desire, behold, he cometh, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- Haggai 2:7
and I will shake all nations; and the precious things of all nations shall come; and I will fill this house with glory, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- Matthew 24:32
Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh;
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