What does Luke 12:56 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 12:56 is a pointed criticism that Jesus directs at the crowd that has gathered around him.

He chastises them for their ability to interpret the weather based on the appearance of the sky and the earth (signifying skills like forecasting rain or fair weather), yet they fail to interpret the "this time" , that is, the significance of the events happening around them that pertain to Jesus' ministry and the advent of the Kingdom of God.

The "hypocrites" in question are those who claim to seek truth and righteousness yet are unable to see or refuse to acknowledge the signs of God's work in Jesus' life and teaching.

The deeper meaning suggests a spiritual blindness or willful ignorance in recognizing God’s actions and the fulfillment of prophecies during Jesus' time on earth.

Historical Context

This verse is part of the Gospel of Luke, which is generally understood to have been written around AD 80-110.

Luke's Gospel is particularly attentive to historical detail and is addressed to a Gentile audience.

At the time of this verse, Jesus is teaching and performing miracles, and is moving toward the culmination of his earthly ministry, which will end in his crucifixion.

The culture at the time was ripe with messianic expectations, and Jesus was addressing a Jewish audience that was well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures, which contained prophecies concerning the coming Messiah.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse highlights the idea of divine revelation and human responsibility in recognizing it.

Traditional Christian theology sees this verse as emphasizing the importance of spiritual discernment and the consequences of its absence.

It implies that the signs of Jesus' messianic identity and mission were as evident as the signs of changing weather but were willfully ignored by many of his contemporaries.

This failure to discern is related to the broader theme of judgement for those who do not recognize and respond to God's revelation.

Practical Applications

In terms of practical applications, this verse serves as a call to be attentive to the ways in which God may be working in the world.

It warns against hypocrisy and encourages self-examination to ensure that one's spiritual perception is not clouded by preconceptions, traditions, or the distractions of daily life.

The idea is to engage with the world and scripture in such a way that one is open to understanding and acting upon God's will.

Cross-References

• Matthew 16:2-3: "He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring.

O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"

• 1 Chronicles 12:32: "And of the children of Issachar, which were 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."

Language Study

In this verse, the term "hypocrites" (Greek: "ὑποκριταί", hypokritai) originally referred to actors who wore masks, implying a disconnect between outward appearance and true intentions.

The phrase "discern the face" (Greek: "δοκιμάζετε", dokimazete) suggests testing or approving the appearance, which involves interpretation based on observation.

"This time" (Greek: "καιρός", kairos) reflects a critical, opportune, or decisive moment rather than chronological time (chronos).

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this verse to other ancient religious traditions, there often exists a theme of recognizing signs or omens. In various mythologies, from Greek to Norse, interpreting the will of the gods through natural phenomena or specific events is a common thread.

In a similar vein, many religions call attention to understanding deeper truths beyond the surface and encourage followers to glean spiritual wisdom from the events that unfold around them.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse focuses on spiritual discernment, the comparison to understanding weather patterns touches on scientific processes.

Today, meteorology uses sophisticated technology to analyze and predict weather.

This scientific perspective makes the analogy in the verse even more striking; despite having access to extensive knowledge and tools for discernment, both in the natural and spiritual realms, humans may still exhibit a form of selective ignorance or oversight.

Commentaries

Commentaries on the Gospel of Luke offer a variety of interpretations on this verse.

William Barclay notes the irony in people's ability to read the signs in the sky but not the signs of the times.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges speaks to the Jewish people's long anticipation of the Messiah and the irony of their missing the clear signs of his presence.

Matthew Henry's Commentary expands on the folly and danger of such ignorance.

Generally, the consensus among scholars is that Jesus is underscoring the crowd’s, and by extension, modern readers', responsibility to recognize and respond to God's work in the world.