Did Jesus have age or stature in mind when He made this comparison? The NASB translators have rendered the Greek pechys as "cubit" and helikia as "life"s span" interpreting Jesus" statement as a metaphor describing age. The NIV translators translated pechys as "hour" and helikia as "life." Both translations present Jesus speaking about the lengthening of life, not stature. This is understandable in view of Luke 12:19-20. The rich fool could not extend his life. However pechys means "cubit." It is a measure of distance rather than time. Probably Jesus used it metaphorically to refer to the least possible length of increase (cf. Psalm 39:5). The idea of wanting to increase one"s height by18 inches is ludicrous if taken literally. Hardly anyone would want to do that, though most people would like to lengthen their lives a little. [source][source][source]
Jesus" point was that worry cannot prolong life any more than it can provide for life ( Luke 12:24). Worry can really reduce one"s life span. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Luke 12:22-34 - The Cure For Anxious Care
Notice this contrast between two kinds of men: the one cares for himself, is anxious for this life, worries about food and clothes and standing a cubit higher in the estimate of his fellows; the other is content to fill the niche and do the work assigned him by the Father. And he performs his life-task, not for the remuneration it will bring, but for the "well-done" of God-sure that all which is needed, whether for his soul or body, will be provided by Him who gave him being. The Father knows thy varied need, trust Him!
Do not think of God as grudging! It is your Father's good pleasure to give. Nothing delights Him more than to be able to "give good things to them that ask Him." For Him also "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Remember that the best investments are those we store, not in banks, etc., but in the lives of others: for God Himself guarantees the interest. [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 12
1Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy 13and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns 22We must not worry about earthly things, 31but seek the kingdom of God; 33give alms; 35be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes 41Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges, 49and look for persecution 54The people must take this time of grace; 57because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation
Greek Commentary for Luke 12:25
A cubit [πηχυν] Matthew 6:27 has πηχυν ενα pēchun hena (one cubit, though ενα hena is sometimes merely the indefinite article. [source]
Stature [ηλικιαν] (ηλικιαν hēlikian) as in Matthew, which see note. [source]
Stature [ἡλικίαν] The original meaning of the word is time of life, age. So, commonly, in classical Greek. See, also, John 9:21,John 9:23; Hebrews 11:11. The other meaning, stature, also occurs. Herodotus speaks of one who was of the same height ( ἡλικιήν ) with another (3:16). But both the usage and the connection are in favor of the meaning age. A measure of time is sometimes represented by a measure of length, as in Psalm 39:5; but, most of all, the addition of a cubit (a foot and a half) to one's stature would not be a small one, as the text implies (that which is least )but a very large one. Moreover, Christ is speaking of food and clothing, the object of which is to foster and prolong life. Rev., age, in margin. [source]
Luke 19:3Jesus who he was [Ιησουν τις εστιν] Prolepsis, to see who Jesus was. He had heard so much about him. He wanted to see which one of the crowd was Jesus.For the crowd (απο του οχλου apo tou ochlou). He was short and the crowd was thick and close.Stature No doubt of that meaning here and possibly so in Luke 2:52. Elsewhere “age” except Luke 12:25; Matthew 6:27 where it is probably “stature” also. [source]
Ephesians 4:13Measure of the stature [μέτρον ἡλικίας] Defining perfect man. For stature, see on Luke 12:25. The word is rendered age, John 9:21,John 9:23; Hebrews 11:11. So here, by some, the age when the fullness of Christ is received. But fullness and grow up (Ephesians 4:15) suggest rather the idea of magnitude. [source]
Hebrews 11:11And was delivered of a child when she was past age [καὶ παρὰ καιρὸν ἡλικίας] Was delivered of a child not in the text. Καὶ andthat. Rend. “received strength,” etc., “and that when she was past age.” Παρὰ καιρὸν ἡλικίας , lit. past the season of age. For ἡλικία see on stature, Luke 12:25. [source]
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δύναμαι
Sense: to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom.
Greek Commentary for Luke 12:25
Matthew 6:27 has πηχυν ενα pēchun hena (one cubit, though ενα hena is sometimes merely the indefinite article. [source]
(ηλικιαν hēlikian) as in Matthew, which see note. [source]
The original meaning of the word is time of life, age. So, commonly, in classical Greek. See, also, John 9:21, John 9:23; Hebrews 11:11. The other meaning, stature, also occurs. Herodotus speaks of one who was of the same height ( ἡλικιήν ) with another (3:16). But both the usage and the connection are in favor of the meaning age. A measure of time is sometimes represented by a measure of length, as in Psalm 39:5; but, most of all, the addition of a cubit (a foot and a half) to one's stature would not be a small one, as the text implies (that which is least )but a very large one. Moreover, Christ is speaking of food and clothing, the object of which is to foster and prolong life. Rev., age, in margin. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 12:25
See on Luke 12:25. [source]
Prolepsis, to see who Jesus was. He had heard so much about him. He wanted to see which one of the crowd was Jesus.For the crowd (απο του οχλου apo tou ochlou). He was short and the crowd was thick and close.Stature No doubt of that meaning here and possibly so in Luke 2:52. Elsewhere “age” except Luke 12:25; Matthew 6:27 where it is probably “stature” also. [source]
No doubt of that meaning here and possibly so in Luke 2:52. Elsewhere “age” except Luke 12:25; Matthew 6:27 where it is probably “stature” also. [source]
Defining perfect man. For stature, see on Luke 12:25. The word is rendered age, John 9:21, John 9:23; Hebrews 11:11. So here, by some, the age when the fullness of Christ is received. But fullness and grow up (Ephesians 4:15) suggest rather the idea of magnitude. [source]
Was delivered of a child not in the text. Καὶ andthat. Rend. “received strength,” etc., “and that when she was past age.” Παρὰ καιρὸν ἡλικίας , lit. past the season of age. For ἡλικία see on stature, Luke 12:25. [source]