Luke 12:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To illustrate the insignificance of worldly desires and the importance of focusing on spiritual matters, the Lord distances Himself from the man who requested His assistance in distributing his father's inheritance, responding with, "Who hath appointed Me to judge or divide you?" This individual sought not what was essential for salvation but rather requested that the Lord arbitrate over transient earthly assets. Consequently, the Lord gently dismisses him, recognizing his restless spirit and a reluctance to learn what truly matters.

Paul, in his wisdom, encourages perseverance in prayer, noting: ‘Pray continually.’ This practice is indeed highly beneficial. However, I emphasize that those who approach God must do so with seriousness, ensuring their requests are appropriate. There are many requests that could rightly be considered unsuitable and unworthy of God's response, and likewise, they do not serve our best interests. If we apply our discerning reasoning to the scripture at hand, we will easily recognize the validity of my assertion. For there was a certain man who came to Christ, our Redeemer, and said: ‘Master, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’

These statements prepare us for enduring trials in professing our faith in the Lord through disdain for death, either by offering hope for future rewards or by proclaiming the impending punishment that offers no chance of forgiveness. Greed often lures us away from virtue, and thus the Lord advises us to shun this vice and serves as our example. The Lord poses the question, "Who hath set Me to judge or divide you?" He who appropriately relinquishes earthly matters for the sake of heavenly treasures; He who possesses authority over the righteous standing of both the living and the dead does not lower Himself to adjudicate disputes over possessions and property (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim. 4:1). Consequently, it is vital to focus not on what you seek, but on the Source from whom you request it.

With compassion, He dismisses him as one would when talking about insignificant matters. In his self-absorption, he failed to seek what is essential for the spirit and beneficial for redemption, instead pursuing material possessions and prioritizing physical needs over spiritual well-being. Thus, Christ rebuked his plea, stating that He did not arrive to arbitrate between possessions but to offer the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.

The Holy Evangelist Luke recounts an instance when a man approached the Lord Jesus Christ, requesting His assistance in the distribution of an inheritance between himself and his brother. In response, the Lord spoke insightful words filled with profound wisdom and holiness: “O man! Who made Me judge or divider over you? Keep watch and guard against covetousness.” He then illustrated through a parable, accessible to all, the perilous nature of greed and the misleading visions it evokes in the mind—visions that never manifest in reality but only erode virtue and eternal salvation, which is the ultimate reward for temporary righteousness.

During a discussion with His disciples, a man approached Jesus, requesting His assistance in distributing his inheritance among his brothers. The Lord never assumed the role of a civil judge; thus, He did not accommodate this demand. Instead, He highlighted how self-interest can create divisions even among siblings and criticized the foolishness of those who pursue wealth at any cost, sharing the parable of the rich fool. Jesus then related this to His earlier dialogue with the apostles, emphasizing the futility of earthly worries for those who follow Him. He encouraged them to seek the treasures of heaven and the kingdom of God, urging them not to lose heart even if the kingdom did not manifest immediately.

Certain individuals, observing the profound teaching of Jesus Christ and the significant impact His words had on those who listened, believed that a single word from the Lord could compel his brother to grant him his fair share of the inheritance. They thought that with the Lord's decree on his side, they could boldly request their due from their sibling, citing Jesus Christ’s command as a strong justification. However, Christ declined to meet his demand, clarifying to the requester that He, the Messiah, did not come to address the external political and civil matters of humanity. Seizing this moment, He cautioned His audience against greed and the desire to amass riches, using the parable of the foolish rich man as His illustration. This parable has an introduction and a conclusion, from which the essential message is made clear: material wealth cannot extend a person's earthly existence, and it is utterly useless for eternal life.

One individual from the crowd interrupted Jesus, saying, "Teacher, please instruct my brother to share the inheritance with me." To this man, Jesus replied, "Who made Me a referee or divider among you?" In this exchange, we see Christ's firm refusal to act as a judge in the matter concerning the two siblings and their inheritance. But what prompted His refusal to assist? Why did He decline to aid the aggrieved party? Why did He not take a stand against the many societal injustices burdening the people? All the anguish of humanity deeply resonated with His compassionate heart. The answers to these inquiries can be found in the teachings of Christ.

Following the Feast of Tabernacles, there was a two-month interval before the next significant Jewish celebration known as the Renewal of the Temple. During this time, Christ chose to return to His homeland of Galilee, seeking refuge among the familiar landscape and the small group of believers, allowing His spirit to find solace from the trials He had faced. This period was characterized by various notable parables and miracles.

A man among the crowd recognized that the Lord was teaching with authority and had a profound impact on the people. He believed that if the Lord merely uttered a word, his brother would share the inheritance according to his wishes. There was clearly a dispute between the siblings regarding the distribution of the inheritance, though the specifics of the disagreement are not disclosed. From the subsequent dialogue, it can be suggested that one of the brothers was greedy.