1 In G1722 the mean time, G3739 when there were gathered together G1996 an innumerable multitude G3461 of people, G3793 insomuch that G5620 they trode G2662 one upon another, G240 he began G756 to say G3004 unto G4314 his G846 disciples G3101 first of all, G4412 Beware G4337 ye G1438 of G575 the leaven G2219 of the Pharisees, G5330 which G3748 is G2076 hypocrisy. G5272
2 For G1161 there is G2076 nothing G3762 covered, G4780 that G3739 shall G601 not G3756 be revealed; G601 neither G2532 hid, G2927 that G3739 shall G1097 not G3756 be known. G1097
3 Therefore G473 G3739 whatsoever G3745 ye have spoken G2036 in G1722 darkness G4653 shall be heard G191 in G1722 the light; G5457 and G2532 that which G3739 ye have spoken G2980 in G4314 the ear G3775 in G1722 closets G5009 shall be proclaimed G2784 upon G1909 the housetops. G1430
4 And G1161 I say G3004 unto you G5213 my G3450 friends, G5384 Be G5399 not G3361 afraid G5399 of them G575 that kill G615 the body, G4983 and G2532 after G3326 that G5023 have G2192 no G3361 G5100 more G4055 that they can do. G4160
5 But G1161 I will forewarn G5263 you G5213 whom G5101 ye shall fear: G5399 Fear G5399 him, which after G3326 he hath killed G615 hath G2192 power G1849 to cast G1685 into G1519 hell; G1067 yea, G3483 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Fear G5399 him. G5126
6 Are G4453 not G3780 five G4002 sparrows G4765 sold G4453 for two G1417 farthings, G787 and G2532 not G3756 one G1520 of G1537 them G846 is G2076 forgotten G1950 before G1799 God? G2316
7 But G235 even the very G2532 hairs G2359 of your G5216 head G2776 are G705 all G3956 numbered. G705 Fear G5399 not G3361 therefore: G3767 ye are of more value G1308 than many G4183 sparrows. G4765
8 Also G1161 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Whosoever G3956 G3739 G302 shall confess G3670 G1722 me G1698 before G1715 men, G444 G1722 him G846 shall G3670 the Son G5207 of man G444 also G2532 confess G3670 before G1715 the angels G32 of God: G2316
9 But G1161 he that denieth G720 me G3165 before G1799 men G444 shall be denied G533 before G1799 the angels G32 of God. G2316
10 And G2532 whosoever G3956 G3739 shall speak G2046 a word G3056 against G1519 the Son G5207 of man, G444 it shall be forgiven G863 him: G846 but G1161 unto him that blasphemeth G987 against G1519 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 it shall G863 not G3756 be forgiven. G863
11 And G1161 when G3752 they bring G4374 you G5209 unto G1909 the synagogues, G4864 and G2532 unto magistrates, G746 and G2532 powers, G1849 take G3309 ye no G3361 thought G3309 how G4459 or G2228 what thing G5101 ye shall answer, G626 or G2228 what G5101 ye shall say: G2036
12 For G1063 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 shall teach G1321 you G5209 in G1722 the same G846 hour G5610 what G3739 ye ought G1163 to say. G2036
13 And G1161 one G5100 of G1537 the company G3793 said G2036 unto him, G846 Master, G1320 speak G2036 to my G3450 brother, G80 that he divide G3307 the inheritance G2817 with G3326 me. G1700
14 And G1161 he said G2036 unto him, G846 Man, G444 who G5101 made G2525 me G3165 a judge G1348 or G2228 a divider G3312 over G1909 you? G5209
15 And G1161 he said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Take heed, G3708 and G2532 beware G5442 of G575 covetousness: G4124 for G3754 a man's G5100 G846 life G2222 consisteth G2076 not G3756 in G1722 the abundance G4052 of G1537 the things which he G846 possesseth. G5224
16 And G1161 he spake G2036 a parable G3850 unto G4314 them, G846 saying, G3004 The ground G5561 of a certain G5100 rich G4145 man G444 brought forth plentifully: G2164
17 And G2532 he thought G1260 within G1722 himself, G1438 saying, G3004 What G5101 shall I do, G4160 because G3754 I have G2192 no G3756 room where G4226 to bestow G4863 my G3450 fruits? G2590
18 And G2532 he said, G2036 This G5124 will I do: G4160 I will pull down G2507 my G3450 barns, G596 and G2532 build G3618 greater; G3187 and G2532 there G1563 will I bestow G4863 all G3956 my G3450 fruits G1081 and G2532 my G3450 goods. G18
19 And G2532 I will say G2046 to my G3450 soul, G5590 Soul, G5590 thou hast G2192 much G4183 goods G18 laid up G2749 for G1519 many G4183 years; G2094 take thine ease, G373 eat, G5315 drink, G4095 and be merry. G2165
20 But G1161 God G2316 said G2036 unto him, G846 Thou fool, G878 this G5026 night G3571 thy G4675 soul G5590 shall be required G523 of G575 thee: G4675 then G1161 whose G5101 shall those things be, G2071 which G3739 thou hast provided? G2090
21 So G3779 is he that layeth up treasure G2343 for himself, G1438 and G2532 is G4147 not G3361 rich G4147 toward G1519 God. G2316
22 And G1161 he said G2036 unto G4314 his G846 disciples, G3101 Therefore G1223 G5124 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Take G3309 no G3361 thought G3309 for your G5216 life, G5590 what G5101 ye shall eat; G5315 neither G3366 for the body, G4983 what G5101 ye shall put on. G1746
23 The life G5590 is G2076 more G4119 than meat, G5160 and G2532 the body G4983 is more than raiment. G1742
24 Consider G2657 the ravens: G2876 for G3754 they neither G3756 sow G4687 nor G3761 reap; G2325 which G3739 neither G3756 have G2076 storehouse G5009 nor G3761 barn; G596 and G2532 God G2316 feedeth G5142 them: G846 how much G4214 more G3123 are G1308 ye G5210 better than G1308 the fowls? G4071
25 And G1161 which G5101 of G1537 you G5216 with taking thought G3309 can G1410 add G4369 to G1909 his G846 stature G2244 one G1520 cubit? G4083
26 If G1487 ye then G3767 be G1410 not G3777 able to do G1410 that thing which is least, G1646 why G5101 take ye thought G3309 for G4012 the rest? G3062
27 Consider G2657 the lilies G2918 how G4459 they grow: G837 they toil G2872 not, G3756 they spin G3514 not; G3761 and yet G1161 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that Solomon G4672 in G1722 all G3956 his G846 glory G1391 was G4016 not G3761 arrayed G4016 like G5613 one G1520 of these. G5130
28 If G1487 then G1161 God G2316 so G3779 clothe G294 the grass, G5528 which G5607 is to day G4594 in G1722 the field, G68 and G2532 to morrow G839 is cast G906 into G1519 the oven; G2823 how much G4214 more G3123 will he clothe you, G5209 O ye of little faith? G3640
29 And G2532 seek G2212 not G3361 ye G5210 what G5101 ye shall eat, G5315 or G2228 what G5101 ye shall drink, G4095 G2532 neither G3361 be ye of doubtful mind. G3349
30 For G1063 all G3956 these things G5023 do G1934 the nations G1484 of the world G2889 seek after: G1934 and G1161 your G5216 Father G3962 knoweth G1492 that G3754 ye have need G5535 of these things. G5130
31 But rather G4133 seek ye G2212 the kingdom G932 of God; G2316 and G2532 all G3956 these things G5023 shall be added G4369 unto you. G5213
32 Fear G5399 not, G3361 little G3398 flock; G4168 for G3754 it is G2106 your G5216 Father's G3962 good pleasure G2106 to give G1325 you G5213 the kingdom. G932
33 Sell G4453 that ye G5216 have, G5224 and G2532 give G1325 alms; G1654 provide G4160 yourselves G1438 bags G905 which wax G3822 not G3361 old, G3822 a treasure G2344 in G1722 the heavens G3772 that faileth not, G413 where G3699 no G3756 thief G2812 approacheth, G1448 neither G3761 moth G4597 corrupteth. G1311
34 For G1063 where G3699 your G5216 treasure G2344 is, G2076 there G1563 will G2071 your G5216 heart G2588 be G2071 also. G2532
35 Let G2077 your G5216 loins G3751 be G2077 girded about, G4024 and G2532 your lights G3088 burning; G2545
36 And G2532 ye yourselves G5210 like G3664 unto men G444 that wait G4327 for their G1438 lord, G2962 when G4219 he will return G360 from G1537 the wedding; G1062 that G2443 when he cometh G2064 and G2532 knocketh, G2925 they may open G455 unto him G846 immediately. G2112
37 Blessed G3107 are those G1565 servants, G1401 whom G3739 the lord G2962 when he cometh G2064 shall find G2147 watching: G1127 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 he shall gird himself, G4024 and G2532 make G347 them G846 to sit down to meat, G347 and G2532 will come forth G3928 and serve G1247 them. G846
38 And G2532 if G1437 he shall come G2064 in G1722 the second G1208 watch, G5438 or G2532 come G2064 in G1722 the third G5154 watch, G5438 and G2532 find G2147 them so, G3779 blessed G3107 are G1526 those G1565 servants. G1401
39 And G1161 this G5124 know, G1097 that G3754 if G1487 the goodman of the house G3617 had known G1492 what G4169 hour G5610 the thief G2812 would come, G2064 G302 he would have watched, G1127 and G2532 G302 not G3756 have suffered G863 his G846 house G3624 to be broken through. G1358
40 Be G1096 ye G5210 therefore G3767 ready G2092 also: G2532 for G3754 G3739 the Son G5207 of man G444 cometh G2064 at an hour G5610 when ye think G1380 not. G3756
41 Then G1161 Peter G4074 said G2036 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 speakest thou G3004 this G5026 parable G3850 unto G4314 us, G2248 or G2228 even G2532 to G4314 all? G3956
42 And G1161 the Lord G2962 said, G2036 Who G5101 then G686 is G2076 that faithful G4103 and G2532 wise G5429 steward, G3623 whom G3739 his lord G2962 shall make ruler G2525 over G1909 his G846 household, G2322 to give G1325 them their portion of meat G4620 in G1722 due season? G2540
43 Blessed G3107 is that G1565 servant, G1401 whom G3739 his G846 lord G2962 when he cometh G2064 shall find G2147 so G3779 doing. G4160
44 Of a truth G230 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 he will make him G846 ruler G2525 over G1909 all G3956 that he G846 hath. G5224
45 But and G1161 if G1437 that G1565 servant G1401 say G2036 in G1722 his G846 heart, G2588 My G3450 lord G2962 delayeth G5549 his coming; G2064 and G2532 shall begin G756 to beat G5180 the menservants G3816 and G2532 maidens, G3814 and G5037 to eat G2068 and G2532 drink, G4095 and G2532 to be drunken; G3182
46 The lord G2962 of that G1565 servant G1401 will come G2240 in G1722 a day G2250 when G3739 he looketh G4328 not G3756 for G4328 him, and G2532 at G1722 an hour G5610 when G3739 he is G1097 not G3756 aware, G1097 and G2532 will cut G1371 him G846 in sunder, G1371 and G2532 will appoint G5087 him his G846 portion G3313 with G3326 the unbelievers. G571
47 And G1161 that G1565 servant, G1401 which G3588 knew G1097 his G1438 lord's G2962 will, G2307 and G2532 prepared G2090 not G3361 himself, neither G3366 did G4160 according G4314 to his G846 will, G2307 shall be beaten G1194 with many G4183 stripes.
48 But G1161 he that knew G1097 not, G3361 and G1161 did commit G4160 things worthy G514 of stripes, G4127 shall be beaten G1194 with few G3641 stripes. For G1161 unto whomsoever G3739 G3956 much G4183 is given, G1325 of G3844 him G846 shall be much G4183 required: G2212 and G2532 to whom men G3739 have committed G3908 much, G4183 of him G846 they will ask G154 the more. G4055
49 I am come G2064 to send G906 fire G4442 on G1519 the earth; G1093 and G2532 what G5101 will I, G2309 if G1487 it be G381 already G2235 kindled? G381
50 But G1161 I have G2192 a baptism G908 to be baptized with; G907 and G2532 how G4459 am I straitened G4912 till G2193 G3757 it be accomplished! G5055
51 Suppose ye G1380 that G3754 I am come G3854 to give G1325 peace G1515 on G1722 earth? G1093 I tell G3004 you, G5213 Nay; G3780 but G235 rather G2228 division: G1267
52 For G1063 from G575 henceforth G3568 there shall be G2071 five G4002 in G1722 one G1520 house G3624 divided, G1266 three G5140 against G1909 two, G1417 and G2532 two G1417 against G1909 three. G5140
53 The father G3962 shall be divided G1266 against G1909 the son, G5207 and G2532 the son G5207 against G1909 the father; G3962 the mother G3384 against G1909 the daughter, G2364 and G2532 the daughter G2364 against G1909 the mother; G3384 the mother in law G3994 against G1909 her G846 daughter in law, G3565 and G2532 the daughter in law G3565 against G1909 her G846 mother in law. G3994
54 And G1161 he said G3004 also G2532 to the people, G3793 When G3752 ye see G1492 a cloud G3507 rise G393 out of G575 the west, G1424 straightway G2112 ye say, G3004 There cometh G2064 a shower; G3655 and G2532 so G3779 it is. G1096
55 And G2532 when G3752 ye see the south wind G3558 blow, G4154 ye say, G3004 G3754 There will be G2071 heat; G2742 and G2532 it cometh to pass. G1096
56 Ye hypocrites, G5273 ye can G1492 discern G1381 the face G4383 of the sky G3772 and G2532 of the earth; G1093 but G1161 how is it G4459 that ye do not G3756 discern G1381 this G5126 time? G2540
57 Yea, G1161 and why G5101 even G2532 of G575 yourselves G1438 judge ye G2919 not G3756 what is right? G1342
58 When G5613 G1063 thou goest G5217 with G3326 thine G4675 adversary G476 to G1909 the magistrate, G758 as thou art in G1722 the way, G3598 give G1325 diligence G2039 that thou mayest be delivered G525 from G575 him; G846 lest G3379 he hale G2694 thee G4571 to G4314 the judge, G2923 and G2532 the judge G2923 deliver G3860 thee G4571 to the officer, G4233 and G2532 the officer G4233 cast G906 thee G4571 into G1519 prison. G5438
59 I tell G3004 thee, G4671 thou shalt G1831 not G3364 depart G1831 thence, G1564 G2532 till G2193 G3739 thou hast paid G591 the very last G2078 mite. G3016
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Luke 12
Commentary on Luke 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 12
Lu 12:1-12. Warning against Hypocrisy.
1-3. meantime—in close connection, probably, with the foregoing scene. Our Lord had been speaking out more plainly than ever before, as matters were coming to a head between Him and His enemies, and this seems to have suggested to His own mind the warning here. He had just Himself illustriously exemplified His own precepts.
his disciples first of all—afterwards to "the multitudes" (Lu 12:54).
covered—from the view.
2. hid—from knowledge. "Tis no use concealing anything, for all will one day come out. Give free and fearless utterance then to all the truth." (Compare 1Co 4:3, 5).
4, 5. I say, &c.—You will say, That may cost us our life. Be it so; but, "My friends, there their power ends." He calls them "my friends" here, not in any loose sense, but, as we think, from the feeling He then had that in this "killing of the body" He and they were going to be affectingly one with each other.
5. Fear Him … Fear Him—how striking the repetition here! Only the one fear would effectually expel the other.
after he hath killed, &c.—Learn here—(1) To play false with one's convictions to save one's life, may fail of its end after all, for God can inflict a violent death in some other and equally formidable way. (2) There is a hell, it seems, for the body as well as the soul; consequently, sufferings adapted to the one as well as the other. (3) Fear of hell is a divinely authorized and needed motive of action even to Christ's "friends." (4) As Christ's meekness and gentleness were not compromised by such harsh notes as these, so those servants of Christ lack their Master's spirit who soften down all such language to please ears "polite." (See on Mr 9:43-48).
6, 7. five … for two farthings—In Mt 10:29 it is "two for one farthing"; so if one took two farthings' worth, he got one in addition—of such small value were they.
than many sparrows—not "than millions of sparrows"; the charm and power of our Lord's teaching is very much in this simplicity.
8, 9. confess … deny—The point lies in doing it "before men," because one has to do it "despising the shame." But when done, the Lord holds Himself bound to repay it in kind by confessing such "before the angels of God." For the rest, see on Lu 9:26.
10. Son of man … Holy Ghost—(See on Mt 12:31, 32).
Lu 12:13-53. Covetousness—Watchfulness—Superiority to Earthly Ties.
13. Master, &c.—that is, "Great Preacher of righteousness, help; there is need of Thee in this rapacious world; here am I the victim of injustice, and that from my own brother, who withholds from me my rightful share of the inheritance that has fallen to us." In this most inopportune intrusion upon the solemnities of our Lord's teaching, there is a mixture of the absurd and the irreverent, the one, however, occasioning the other. The man had not the least idea that his case was not of as urgent a nature, and as worthy the attention of our Lord, as anything else He could deal with.
14. Man, &c.—Contrast this style of address with "my friends," (Lu 12:4).
who, &c.—a question literally repudiating the office which Moses assumed (Ex 2:14). The influence of religious teachers in the external relations of life has ever been immense, when only the INDIRECT effect of their teaching; but whenever they intermeddle DIRECTLY with secular and political matters, the spell of that influence is broken.
15. unto them—the multitude around Him (Lu 12:1).
of covetousness—The best copies have "all," that is, "every kind of covetousness"; because as this was one of the more plausible forms of it, so He would strike at once at the root of the evil.
a man's life, &c.—a singularly weighty maxim, and not less so because its meaning and its truth are equally evident.
16-19. a certain rich man, &c.—Why is this man called a "fool?" (Lu 12:20) (1) Because he deemed a life of secure and abundant earthly enjoyment the summit of human felicity. (2) Because, possessing the means of this, through prosperity in his calling, he flattered himself that he had a long lease of such enjoyment, and nothing to do but give himself up to it. Nothing else is laid to his charge.
20, 21. this night, &c.—This sudden cutting short of his career is designed to express not only the folly of building securely upon the future, but of throwing one's whole soul into what may at any moment be gone. "Thy soul shall be required of thee" is put in opposition to his own treatment of it, "I will say to my soul, Soul," &c.
whose shall those things be, &c.—Compare Ps 39:6, "He heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them."
21. So is he, &c.—Such is a picture of his folly here, and of its awful issue.
and is not rich toward God—lives to amass and enjoy riches which terminate on self, but as to the riches of God's favor, which is life (Ps 30:5), of "precious" faith (2Pe 1:1; Jas 2:5), of good works (1Ti 6:18), of wisdom which is better than rubies (Pr 8:11)—lives and dies a beggar!
22-31. (See on Mt 6:25-33).
25, 26. which of you, &c.—Corroding solicitude will not bring you the least of the things ye fret about, though it may double the evil of wanting them. And if not the least, why vex yourselves about things of more consequence?
29. of doubtful, &c.—unsettled mind; put off your balance.
32. little flock, &c.—How sublime and touching a contrast between this tender and pitying appellation, "Little flock" (in the original a double diminutive, which in German can be expressed, but not in English)—and the "good pleasure" of the Father to give them the Kingdom; the one recalling the insignificance and helplessness of that then literal handful of disciples, the other holding up to their view the eternal love that encircled them, the everlasting arms that were underneath them, and the high inheritance awaiting them!—"the kingdom"; grand word; then why not "bread" (Lu 12:31 [Bengel]). Well might He say, "Fear not!"
33, 34. Sell, &c.—This is but a more vivid expression of Mt 6:19-21 (see on Mt 6:19-21).
35-40. loins … girded—to fasten up the long outer garment, always done before travel and work (2Ki 4:29; Ac 12:8). The meaning is, Be in readiness.
lights, &c.—(See on Mt 25:1).
36. return from the wedding—not come to it, as in the parable of the virgins. Both have their spiritual significance; but preparedness for Christ's coming is the prominent idea.
37. gird himself, &c.—"a promise the most august of all: Thus will the Bridegroom entertain his friends (nay, servants) on the solemn Nuptial Day" [Bengel].
38. second … third watch—To find them ready to receive Him at any hour of day or night, when one might least of all expect Him, is peculiarly blessed. A servant may be truly faithful, even though taken so far unawares that he has not everything in such order and readiness for his master's return as he thinks is due to him, and both could and would have had if he had had notice of the time of his coming, and so may not be willing to open to him "immediately," but fly to preparation, and let his master knock again ere he admit him, and even then not with full joy. A too common case this with Christians. But if the servant have himself and all under his charge in such a state that at any hour when his master knocks, he can open to him "immediately," and hail his "return"—that is the most enviable, "blessed" servant of all.
41-48. unto us or even to all?—us the Twelve, or all this vast audience?
42. Who then, &c.—answering the question indirectly by another question, from which they were left to gather what it would be:—To you certainly in the first instance, representing the "stewards" of the "household" I am about to collect, but generally to all "servants" in My house.
faithful and wise—Fidelity is the first requisite in a servant, wisdom (discretion and judgment in the exercise of his functions), the next.
steward—house steward, whose it was to distribute to the servants their allotted portion of food.
shall make—will deem fit to be made.
44. make him ruler over all he hath—will advance him to the highest post, referring to the world to come. (See Mt 25:21, 23).
45. begin to beat, &c.—In the confidence that his Lord's return will not be speedy, he throws off the role of servant and plays the master, maltreating those faithful servants who refuse to join him, seizing on and revelling in the fulness of his master's board; intending, when he has got his fill, to resume the mask of fidelity ere his master appear.
46. cut him in sunder—a punishment not unknown in the East; compare Heb 11:37, "sawn asunder" (1Sa 15:33; Da 2:5).
the unbelievers—the unfaithful, those unworthy of trust (Mt 24:51), "the hypocrites," falsely calling themselves "servants."
48. knew not—that is knew but partially; for some knowledge is presupposed both in the name "servant" of Christ, and his being liable to punishment at all.
many … few stripes—degrees of future punishment proportioned to the knowledge sinned against. Even heathens are not without knowledge enough for future judgment; but the reference here is not to such. It is a solemn truth, and though general, like all other revelations of the future world, discloses a tangible and momentous principle in its awards.
49-53. to send—cast.
fire—"the higher spiritual element of life which Jesus came to introduce into this earth (compare Mt 3:11), with reference to its mighty effects in quickening all that is akin to it and destroying all that is opposed. To cause this element of life to take up its abode on earth, and wholly to pervade human hearts with its warmth, was the lofty destiny of the Redeemer" [Olshausen: so Calvin, Stier, Alford, &c.].
what will I, &c.—an obscure expression, uttered under deep and half-smothered emotion. In its general import all are agreed; but the nearest to the precise meaning seems to be, "And what should I have to desire if it were once already kindled?" [Bengel and Bloomfield].
50. But … a baptism, &c.—clearly, His own bloody baptism, first to take place.
how … straitened—not, "how do I long for its accomplishment," as many understand it, thus making it but a repetition of Lu 12:49; but "what a pressure of spirit is upon Me."
till it be accomplished—till it be over. Before a promiscuous audience, such obscure language was fit on a theme like this; but oh, what surges of mysterious emotion in the view of what was now so near at hand does it reveal!
51. peace … ? Nay, &c.—the reverse of peace, in the first instance. (See on Mt 10:34-36.) The connection of all this with the foregoing warnings about hypocrisy, covetousness, and watchfulness, is deeply solemn: "My conflict hasten apace; Mine over, yours begins; and then, let the servants tread in their Master's steps, uttering their testimony entire and fearless, neither loving nor dreading the world, anticipating awful wrenches of the dearest ties in life, but looking forward, as I do, to the completion of their testimony, when, reaching the haven after the tempest, they shall enter into the joy of their Lord."
Lu 12:54-59. Not Discerning the Signs of the Time.
54. to the people—"the multitude," a word of special warning to the thoughtless crowd, before dismissing them. (See on Mt 16:2, 3).
56. how … not discern, &c.—unable to perceive what a critical period that was for the Jewish Church.
57. why even of yourselves, &c.—They might say, To do this requires more knowledge of Scripture and providence than we possess; but He sends them to their own conscience, as enough to show them who He was, and win them to immediate discipleship.
58. When thou goest, &c.—(See on Mt 5:25, 26). The urgency of the case with them, and the necessity, for their own safety, of immediate decision, was the object of these striking words.