Luke 12:14

“And he said unto him, man, etc.] Or “friend”, as the Ethiopic version renders it; that is, Jesus said to him, as the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions express it: who made me a judge, or a divider over you? referring to the words of one of the Hebrews to Moses, when he interposed in a difference, (<020214>Exodus 2:14) suggesting, that the same might be retorted on him, should he engage in such an affair: the reason why Christ avoided meddling with it, was not because it is unlawful for Christians to concern themselves in arbitrations about civil affairs, and in making up family differences, which is very commendable; but lest by such a step, he should give occasion to them, to conclude…”

“Man, &c.--Contrast this style of address with "my friends," (Luk 12:4). who, &c.--a question literally repudiating the office which Moses assumed (Exo 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.”

“Who made me a judge? - It is not my business to settle controversies of this kind. They are to be settled by the magistrate. Jesus came for another purpose - to preach the gospel, and so to bring people to “a willingness to do” right. Civil affairs are to be left to the magistrate. There is no doubt that Jesus “could” have told him what was right in this case, but then it would have been interfering with the proper office of the magistrates; it might have led him into controversy with the Jews; and it was, besides, evidently apart from the proper business of his life. We may remark, also, that the appropriate business of ministers of the gospel is to attend to spiritual concerns. They should…”

“Who made me a judge? - In worldly things. His kingdom is not of this world. Luke 12:15”

“Man: Luk 5:20, Luk 22:58; Rom 2:1, Rom 2:3, Rom 9:20 who: Exo 2:14; Joh 6:15, Joh 8:11, Joh 18:35, Joh 18:36 Luke 12:15”