Luke 12:14

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?”

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

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

Douay-Rheims 1899

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

Free Bible Version

“My friend,” Jesus replied, “Who appointed me as your judge to decide how your inheritance should be divided?” He told the people,

Geneva Bible 1599

And he said vnto him, Man, who made me a iudge, or a deuider ouer you?

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

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

Translation for Translators

But Jesus replied to him, “Man, ◄no one appointed me in order that I would settle matters when people are disputing about property!/did anyone appoint me in order that I would settle matters when people are disputing about property?► [RHQ]”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Jesus said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or a mediator over you?”

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

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

Young's Literal Translation

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

Context

The Parable of the Rich Fool

¹³Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”¹⁴But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?”¹⁵And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Summary

In Luke 12:14, Jesus responds to a man in the crowd who asks Him to intervene in a family dispute over inheritance. Instead of getting involved in the legal matter, Jesus warns against greed and covetousness, emphasizing the importance of guarding one's heart against all forms of greed. This verse serves as a reminder that our focus should be on spiritual matters and seeking the kingdom of God rather than being consumed by material possessions. Jesus' teachings here highlight the eternal value of a relationship with God over temporary wealth and possessions.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

A judge - Without some judgment given in the case, no division could be made; therefore Jesus added the word judge. Pearce. A minister of Christ ought not to concern himself with secular affairs, any farther than charity and the order of discipline require it. Our Lord could have decided this difference in a moment; but the example of a perfect disengagement from worldly things was more necessary for the ministers of his Church than that of a charity applying itself to temporal concerns. He who preaches salvation to all should never make himself a party man; otherwise he loses the confidence, and consequently the opportunity of doing good to the party against whom he decides. Better to leave all these things to the civil magistrate, unless where a lawsuit may be prevented, and the matter decided to the satisfaction or acquiescence of both parties.