And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

LUKE 12:13KJV
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Luke 12:13 (KJV)

What does Luke 12:13 mean?

Luke 12:13 describes someone in the crowd asking Jesus to tell his brother to share the family inheritance with him. The verse shows a person seeking Jesus’ help to resolve a personal financial dispute.

In this scene, Jesus is teaching a crowd when a man interrupts, addressing Jesus as “Master” (teacher) and asking him to intervene in a family matter about dividing property. The request is practical and personal, not spiritual, highlighting that people sometimes approached Jesus with everyday concerns, expecting him to act as an authority or judge in their disputes.

The Greek behind Luke 12:13

  • διδάσκαλε (didaskale, “Master” or “Teacher”): This word shows the man’s respect for Jesus’ authority, but also frames Jesus as someone who could settle legal or practical matters, not just spiritual ones.
  • διαμερίσθω (diameristhō, “divide”): This verb carries the sense of splitting or apportioning something, in this case, an inheritance. It points to a legal or financial division, not just a casual sharing.
  • κληρονομίαν (klēronomian, “inheritance”): This word refers specifically to property or possessions passed down, making it clear the issue is about family wealth and rights, a common source of conflict in that culture.

Why Luke 12:13 matters

  • Luke 12:13 shows that people sometimes misunderstood Jesus’ role, expecting him to solve their personal or material problems rather than focusing on spiritual teaching.
  • The verse sets up the following teaching, where Jesus warns against greed and tells the parable of the rich fool, making the context of the question important for understanding his response.
  • It highlights the everyday realities and disputes people faced, grounding the Gospel story in real-life situations rather than abstract ideas.

Where else these words appear

“divide” Greek G3307 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
  • Mark 3:26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

“inheritance” Greek G2817 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
  • Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
  • Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

“Master” Greek G1320 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
  • Mark 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
  • Luke 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

“me” Greek G1700 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
  • Acts 25:9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?