He also said to the crowds, "When you see (a) cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain– and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot– and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? "Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny." (Lk 12:54-59)
Jesus is addressing the crowd. He tells them that they are able to discern the nature. They are able to see the clouds in the west and they say that it would rain and it does so etc. Jesus criticizes them for their ability to discern the nature and the earth and the sky. If they could discern the nature then they should also be able to discern the history. They should be able to discern what is happening in and around them.
The people should be able to judge between right and wrong. Each one should and has the ability to judge between right and wrong. Then the question is why should there be a need for a magistrate judge between. Jesus’ argument is that there is no need for another person to judge between. If they have the need then the consequence is imprisonment. Not only imprisonment but also one will come out paying the last penny that is pauper.
Jesus’ advice to the crowd is on two grounds: discernment and judgment. Man is gifted with these two qualities. Man is able to discern the events and the happenings in nature and history. His discernments are true and correct and so also his judgments. But the sad situation is that man is making wrong judgments and discernments regarding what is happening around him and what is happening to him.
