12:54–56 The crowds are reproved because they do not see what should be obvious to anyone paying attention: the coming of the kingdom in the ministry of Jesus. Two illustrations from weather are used to establish the point, for the Jews are able to read meteorological phenomena. If they see a cloud in the west, they know a rainstorm or thunderstorm will arrive the next day (cf. 1 Kings 18:44). And when the south wind begins to blow, they can tell that scorching heat will follow. They are not confused about what the winds mean but understand them well. Still, Jesus identifies them as hypocrites because the same obvious conclusions regarding his identity should be drawn from his ministry. The divisions over Jesus’ ministry should not deceive anyone about his true nature (Luke 12:43–49). The crowds can read the weather, but they cannot discern the time (Gk. kairon). In other words, they cannot see that the days of fulfillment has arrived, that God’s kingdom is inaugurated in Jesus’ ministry, that the covenant promises are being realized (cf. 4:17–21; 7:22–23; 11:20; 19:44). And yet it should be as easy to tell that the time of fulfillment has come in Jesus as it is to read the weather. They do not see who Jesus is, despite all the evidence they have, because they do not want to see it.

12:57–59 The same point (i.e., that the crowds should be able to see clearly the arrival of the kingdom in Jesus) is made with a second illustration. The people have the capacity to discern what is right and should exercise it well but are not doing so. This failure reflects their own evil inclinations. It is if they were headed to a trial before the magistrate, obviously guilty. As they travel with the magistrate to the trial, they have the opportunity to make things right, to be reconciled with him before a verdict is pronounced. But if they do not make amends, a trial will begin before a judge, and there is no doubt about the verdict to be rendered—they are clearly guilty. The judge will then hand them over to the officer, who will throw them into prison until they can pay what is owed. There is no suggestion in the parable that eventually those imprisoned will be able to pay! The point is that payment will never be possible, that it will be too late then, that the day of amendment and reconciliation will have passed forever. So it is with Jesus: the opportunity to make things right and to repent still remains, but it will not last forever. The time of fulfillment has come, and Israel must repent and recognize its King.