Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 12:33
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
33. Sell that ye have ] This command was taken very literally by the early Church, Act 2:44-45. Comp. Luk 16:9; Mat 19:21.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Sell that ye have – Sell your property. Exchange it for that which you can use in distributing charity. This was the condition of their being disciples. Their property they gave up; they forsook it, or they put it into common stock, for the sake of giving alms to the poor, Act 2:44; Act 4:32; Joh 12:6; Act 5:2.
Bags which wax not old – The word bags, here, means purses, or the bags attached to their girdles, in which they carried their money. See the notes at Mat 5:38. By bags which wax not old Jesus means that we should lay up treasure in heaven; that our aim should be to be prepared to enter there, where all our wants will be forever provided for. Purses, here, grow old and useless. Wealth takes to itself wings. Riches are easily scattered, or we must soon leave them; but that wealth which is in heaven abides forever. It never is corrupted; never flies away; never is to be left.
Wax – This word is from an old Saxon word, and in the Bible means to grow.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Luk 12:33
Sell that ye have, and give alms
Sell all
Do not hoard it for yourself; do not, like the rich fool, call them your fruits.
Do not consider yourselves proprietors of your goods. Regard them not as yours, but as Gods. Sell them to God, and dispose of them in mercy for the wants of others. This is not a command that no money be kept for our own use, but that righteousness should not be neglected through fear of poverty. They make the best of bargains, who secure eternal life. They obtain the best of treasures who carry them through the grave. Self-righteous, lazy, mendicant friars, a burlesque on the text. Men may part with all, only to be more covetous than before. The command was given in good earnest to the young man. It demands the soul to be unfettered of earth-born weights. It requires a consecration of all our means to God. Mariners save the vessel by throwing the cargo into the sea. Possessions cease to be harmless the moment they acquire the mastery. Esteem it no loss if your all is destroyed for Christs sake. No sacrifice of treasure meritorious in purchasing heaven. Some give their all to the poor, and still lose heaven (1Co 13:3). (Van Doren.)
Noble self-sacrifice
The present Queen of Sweden, in a spirit of the noblest self-sacrifice, sold her jewels to provide for her people hospitals, orphanages, and convalescent homes, such as we possess in this country. Visiting on one occasion in person a convalescent home of her own founding, a poor bed-ridden woman thanked her for her kindness and her care. As she spoke one or more tears of gratitude fell on the queens hand, who was sitting by her side. The queen sweetly said, as she saw the glittering tokens of a thankful heart, God is sending me my jewels back again.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 33. Sell that ye have] Dispose of your goods. Be not like the foolish man already mentioned, who laid up the produce of his fields, without permitting the poor to partake of God’s bounty: turn the fruits of your fields (which are beyond what you need for your own support) into money, and give it in alms; and the treasure thus laid out, shall be as laid up for yourselves and families in heaven. This purse shall not grow old, and this treasure shill not decay. Ye shall by and by find both the place where you laid up the treasure, and the treasure itself in the place; for he who hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and he may rest assured, that whatever, for Christ’s sake, he thus lays out, it will be paid him again.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The immutable purpose of the Divine Being to glorify the disciples of Christ, the freedom of the Divine will in the gift of heaven and glory, are neither of them exclusive of, but include and suppose, their duty to use such due means as he hath directed them, in the use of which they shall obtain what he hath purposed for them, and promised to them; some of which are here directed and prescribed.
Sell that ye have, and give alms, & c. It is a precept of the same import with that, Mat 19:21; Mar 10:21. Though possibly the precept here given to the disciples of Christ generally is not to be interpreted so strictly as seemeth to be our Saviours meaning in those texts, as to the young man. For it seems to have been a special precept to him, laying an obligation upon him to make a present actual sale of all he had, and it is plain that he so understood it. To this Christians are not obliged generally by this precept: but to be ready at the call and command of God to part with all, for such uses as God should show them: not to set their heart on riches, Psa 62:10; to be ready to distribute, and willing to communicate, 1Ti 6:18; remembering that God loveth mercy rather than sacrifice, Hos 6:6; Mat 9:13. To give of our superfluities, Luk 3:11. To make friends of our mammon of unrighteousness, Luk 16:9. Nay, if the necessities of the people of God be such as requires it, for the subsistence of Christians, to sell what we have, rather than others of Gods people should starve, calling nothing our own in such a case; which Christians did in the primitive state of the church, Act 4:34-37. For the other part of Luk 12:33,34, See Poole on “Mat 6:20-21“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
33, 34. Sell, &c.This isbut a more vivid expression of Mt6:19-21 (see on Mt 6:19-21).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Sell that ye have, and give alms,…. Since they had a kingdom bequeathed them by their heavenly Father, they should be so far from indulging an anxious care about food and raiment, that when there was a call in providence for it, and rather than the poor should go without a supply, it became them to sell their houses and lands, and whatever possessions they had, and relieve them; and so they did not long after; for some of those who sold their estates, and brought the money to the apostles, Ac 4:34, might be now present; and the more readily and cheerfully do what they did, remembering these words of Christ:
provide yourselves bags which wax not old; as do the bags of misers: their bag is, , “a bag pierced through”, or that has a hole in it, which lets the money out as it is put in, Hag 1:6 and which the Targum renders by, , “for a curse”; as money hoarded up in bags by covetous persons generally is: Christ would have his followers put their money up in other bags; not in such which rot through age, or are worn out, and are full of holes through use; but into the hands and bellies of the poor, the fruit and reward of which will always abide;
a treasure in the heavens that faileth not: whereas treasure on earth does, being either taken away from the possessors of it by various ways, or they from that:
where no thief approacheth; can come near to steal it away, which is often the case here on earth:
neither moth corrupteth; as it does the best of garments, wore by men: but the robes of glory and immortality can never be corrupted:
[See comments on Mt 6:20].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Sell that ye have ( ). Not in Matthew. Did Jesus mean this literally and always? Luke has been charged with Ebionism, but Jesus does not condemn property as inherently sinful. “The attempt to keep the letter of the rule here given (Acts 2:44; Acts 2:45) had disastrous effects on the church of Jerusalem, which speedily became a church of paupers, constantly in need of alms (Rom 15:25; Rom 15:26; 1Cor 16:3; 2Cor 8:4; 2Cor 9:1)” (Plummer).
Purses which wax not old ( ). So already in Lu 10:4. Late verb from , old, to make old, declare old as in Heb 8:13, is passive to become old as here and Heb 1:11.
That faileth not (). Verbal from privative and , to fail. Late word in Diodorus and Plutarch. Only here in the N.T. or LXX, but in papyri. “I prefer to believe that even Luke sees in the words not a mechanical rule, but a law for the spirit” (Bruce).
Draweth near (). Instead of Mt 6:19 “dig through and steal.”
Destroyeth (). Instead of “doth consume” in Mt 6:19.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Bags [] . From ballw, to throw. Something into which money and other things are cast. Rev., purses. See on ch. Luk 10:4. Wyc., satchels.
Moth. Compare Jas 5:2.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Sell that ye have, and give alms;” (polesate ta huparchonta humon kai dote eleemosunen) “You all sell your possessions and give alms,” a matter of doing good deeds, Mat 19:21; Act 2:45; Act 4:34-35, instructions directed apparently at the apostles, those sent forth away from their homes to preach and to teach, not to all the disciples, for the members of the church were to hold property and dispose of or manage it as good stewards, 1Co 4:2; Act 4:4.
2) “Provide yourselves bags which wax not old,” (polesate heautois ballanta me palaioumena) “Make for your use purses that do not become old,” aged or decay, of the finest quality, Mat 6:20; 1Ti 6:18; Pro 19:17; Act 2:44-45.
3) “A treasure in the heavens that falleth not,” (theasuron aneklipton en tois ouranois) “An unfailing treasure in the heavens,” a large store, Mat 6:19, rather than upon earth, where they do corrode, Pro 23:4; Pro 28:20. The riches of heaven are unfailing, incorruptible, and inexhaustible, Mat 6:10; Luk 16:9.
4) “Where no thief approacheth,” (hopou kleptes ouk enguzei) “Where thieves, thugs, bandits or kleptomaniacs do not come near,” or even approach, Mat 6:19. For there is no darkness in which for them to work in heaven, Rev 21:25.
5) “Neither moth corrupteth.” (oude ses diaphtheirei) “Nor does moth corrupt,” fragment, or harm your heavenly reserves, things laid up in heaven, Mat 6:19-21; 1Pe 1:4-5.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(33) Sell that ye have.In its generalised form the precept is peculiar to St. Luke, but it has its parallel in the command given to the young ruler. (See Note on Mat. 19:21.) It was clearly one of the precepts which his own characteristic tendencies led him to record (see Introduction), and which found its fulfilment in the overflowing love that showed itself in the first days of the Church of the Apostles (Act. 2:45). Subsequent experience may have modified the duty of literal obedience, but the principle implied in it, that it is wise to sit loose to earthly possessions, possessing them as though we possessed not (1Co. 7:30), is one which has not lost its force.
Provide yourselves bags . . .The Greek word for bags (elsewhere purse, Luk. 22:35), may be noticed as peculiar to St. Luke. Of the three words used in the New Testament for purse or bag it was the most classical.
Where no thief approacheth.See Note on Mat. 6:20. The form is in some respects briefer here, but the treasure that faileth not is a touch peculiar to St. Luke. The adjective which he uses is a rare one, and not found elsewhere in the New Testament; but one from the same root, in Wis. 7:14; Wis. 8:18, describes wisdom as a treasure that never faileth.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
33. Sell that ye have For you will be rich as kings by Such a surrender.
And give alms For this will be the richest investment.
Provide yourself bags Purses, out of the proceeds of your sales.
Wax not old As the purses will which contain your earthly funds.
A treasure in the heavens In lieu of that ye have. There is a beautiful little allegory contained in this verse.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Resources That They Will Not Need (12:33-34).
“Sell what you have, and give alms. Make for yourselves purses which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens which does not fail, where no thief draws near, nor moth destroys.”
But what will they require in order to fulfil their task? What resources will they need? Why, says, Jesus, they will require none. Any possessions that they have are too many. Spiritual warfare only requires spiritual resources. So let them start preparing now by selling what they have and giving it to the poor. That will then be stored in a safe place where nothing can diminish it. Then and then only will they be ready for their task (compare Luk 9:3; Luk 10:4).
So they are to cease being concerned about earthly possessions. They are to sell whatever they possess and give it to the poor, unlike the rich fool who tried to keep everything for himself. That way they will build up a treasure in Heaven, which will result in their minds also being fixed in Heaven. By that they will make for themselves wealth containers in Heaven which do not grow old, and a treasure in the heavens that is everlasting and continual, never failing, a treasure which no thief can steal and no moth destroy. And then they will be ready for their task in hand, in a state of total dependence on God.
The idea was not that of selling the family property. That belonged to the family. Nor was it for them to bankrupt their families by leaving them penniless. It was for each to rid himself or herself of their own prized possessions so as to turn them into heavenly gold. It was an act of faith, not charity. By doing so they would keep them everlastingly.
‘Where no thief draws near, nor moth destroys.” Full barns were always a temptation to bandits and raiders, clothing a temptation to moths, but neither of such things can affect what is stored up in Heaven. Thus only what is stored there is really safe.
So Jesus is inculcating an attitude to riches. (What a contrast to those who claim that we should as Christians seek material prosperity as our right. That is the very opposite of this). He is seeking to deliver His disciples from the grip and deceitfulness of riches. These disciples were being called on to follow Jesus literally, and to depend on God utterly, and for that they would require no worldly possessions, indeed such possessions would be a hindrance. He is also wooing their minds away from thoughts of an earthly kingdom. All that they have is to be in Heaven.
All of us cannot live our lives like this. We do not live in a world of such free hospitality, nor can all of us fully devote ourselves wholly to ministry, although we can be wholly involved in God’s work in the place where we are. We live in a totally different situation from them. However, the point for us is that we too should live as though we had no possessions, and rather treat all that we possess as His and available in His service. And we should ensure that they are not always on our minds. If they are then it is certainly time that we gave them all away, so as to rid ourselves of their shackles.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 12:33-34 . Comp. Mat 6:19-21 . This end is so important that, in order to strive thereafter with your whole interest (Luk 12:34 ), ye must renounce your earthly possessions, etc. This selling and giving up of the proceeds as alms ( ., as Luk 11:41 ) is not required of all Christians (Luk 12:22 ), as de Wette will have it, but of the disciples , who, in the discharge of their office, needed perfect release from what is temporal. All the less do the words furnish a basis for the consilium evangelicum and the vow of poverty (Bisping).
] while ye give to others .
(Luk 10:4 ) is explained by the following . [158] As to this , comp. on Luk 12:21 .
[158] To refer the . . to the “ everlastingly fresh power of apprehension in respect of the eternal possessions,” was a fancy of Lange’s opposed to the context ( L. J . II. 2, p. 851).
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Ver. 33. A treasure in the heavens ] As a merchant being to travel into a far country, doth deliver his money here upon the exchange that so he may be sure to receive it again at his arrival in that country; so let us that are passing into another country lay up something that may stand us in stead in that day.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
33. ] Meyer endeavours to evade the force of this, by supposing it addressed only to the Apostles and then existing disciples. But it is said to the , who are all the elect people of God .
. ] This is the true way of investing worldly wealth: ‘He that giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord.’ See on Mat 6:19-21 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 12:33 counsels a heroic mood for which apprehension as to future temporal want has become an impossibility, such want being now viewed as a means of ensuring the one object of desire, eternal riches. , etc.: the special counsel to the man in quest of eternal life generalised ( cf. Luk 18:22 ). , purses: continens pro contento (De Wette). : in Heb 8:13 applied to the Sinaitic covenant. Covenants, religions, wax old as well as purses . , unfailing. Cf. , Luk 16:9 , in reference to death: “vox rara, sed paris elegantiae cum altera , quam adhibet auctor libri Sapient., vii. 4, viii. 18, ubi habes et ,” Wolf. There is poetry in this verse, but also some think asceticism , turning the poetry of Jesus into ecclesiastical prose. I prefer to believe that even Lk. sees in the words not a mechanical rule, but a law for the spirit.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Luk 12:33-34
33″Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Luk 12:33 “Sell your possessions” This is an aorist active imperative. It is not a universal command, but deals with the priority structure of our lives (cf. Luk 14:33; Luk 18:22; Mat 19:21; 1Co 13:3). If God is not priority, everything and anything else must be eliminated from first place (cf. Mat 5:29-30). This recurrent theme clearly shows the radical aspect of the Christian commitment. God must be first! All else is idolatry. However, many people in the BibleAbraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Jewish Kings, Zachaeus, Joseph of Arimathea, are wealthy. Wealth is not the problem, but the priority of wealth!
“and give to charity” This probably refers to Luk 11:41. Love for the poor and needy is evidence that God has changed one’s perspective and worldview. Luke’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus’ love for the outcasts and ostracized of society. See Special Topic: Alms at Luk 11:41.
“make yourselves money belts” This is another aorist active imperative. The term ballantion is used only by Luke in the NT (cf. Luk 10:4; Luk 12:33; Luk 22:35-36). It is used in the Septuagint for a bag or purse (cf. Job 14:17; Pro 1:14).
John uses a different term, glsskomon, for the disciples’ money box (cf. Luk 12:6; Luk 13:29). This term originally referred to a box used to store musical reeds or mouthpieces.
Matthew and Mark use the term zn which refers to
1. a girdle (cf. Mat 3:4; Mar 1:6; Act 21:11; Rev 1:13; Rev 15:6 and the Septuagint for priestly sash in Exo 28:4; Exo 28:39-40; Deu 23:14) or
2. a money belt (cf. Mat 10:9; Mar 6:8)
The rest of the verse lists several characteristics of the money bag of generous believers (cf. Mat 6:19-20).
1. will not wear out
2. will not fail or be exhausted
3. thief cannot steal
4. moth cannot corrupt
Ancient sources of wealth were
1. weight of precious metals or jewels
2. expensive clothing adorned with gold, silver, or jewels
3. food stores
Security was a major problem. Thieves could steal, mildew destroy, and insects or rodents could eat. This list was a way of describing believers’ secure inheritance with God (cf. 1Pe 1:4-5), which was evidenced by generosity while here on earth.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Sell. Compare Act 2:44, Act 2:45; Act 4:37.
that ye have. Greek. huparcho: your possessions. See note on “is”, Php 1:3, Php 1:20.
bags = purses.
wax not old = never wear out.
the heavens. Plural. See notes on Mat 6:9, Mat 6:10. that faileth not = unfailing.
moth. Compare Jam 5:2.
corrupteth = destroyeth, as in Rev 8:9; Rev 11:18.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
33.] Meyer endeavours to evade the force of this, by supposing it addressed only to the Apostles and then existing disciples. But it is said to the , who are all the elect people of God.
.] This is the true way of investing worldly wealth:-He that giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord. See on Mat 6:19-21.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 12:33. [, for yourselves) Laying out your money at the highest interest, Heb 10:34.-V. g.]-, sell) This the Lord said, not to the crowds [Luk 12:1; Luk 12:54], to whom however He was showing the way of salvation in a manner appropriate to that very time, Luk 12:54; Luk 12:56; nor to the apostles, who had left their all previously, and therefore had nothing to sell: but to the rest of the disciples: see Luk 12:22; Luk 12:41. His departure from Galilee, ch. Luk 13:32, and his Passion itself, were at hand: and He was now already preparing His disciples, that they might be thenceforth as lightly equipped (with as few encumbrances) as possible. For these were they, of whom Luke makes mention in Act 1:15; Act 2:44, etc.: so that there is no doubt but that soon after this discourse they sold their possessions in Galilee. Otherwise the indiscriminate sale of all ones resources is not enjoined on all, so as to require that they should convert them into alms, and that themselves, as well as their families should either seek or re-seek [seek to get in their turn] from others the alms which they had once given. Nevertheless spiritual prudence makes men, from being mercenary, even though they have not the most abundant supply of goods, to become liberal, and disposed to sell in order to have wherewith to give, especially when the exigency requires it. See Ecc 11:2; Jam 5:1.-, purses) Plural. He who sells after the manner of the world, fills his purse: but this kind of purse waxes old, even as the natural heaven itself doth.[122]- , a treasure that faileth not) The treasure, as opposed to the purse, is the abundance of articles of food, which are very soon spent or spoiled [consumed or corrupted].-) namely [purses and a treasure] in the heavens. This appertains to both of the preceding clauses.
[122] Opposed to the spiritual , which do not wax old.-ED. and TRANSL.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Sell: Luk 18:22, Mat 19:21, Act 2:45, Act 4:34, Act 4:35, 2Co 8:2
provide: Luk 16:9, Hag 1:6, Mat 6:19-21, Joh 12:6, 1Ti 6:17-19, Jam 5:1-3
Reciprocal: Exo 16:20 – bred worms Deu 15:11 – Thou shalt Psa 112:9 – dispersed Pro 8:18 – durable Isa 23:18 – it shall Mat 6:2 – when Mat 6:20 – General Mar 10:21 – sell Luk 6:30 – Give Luk 10:42 – which Luk 11:41 – rather Luk 12:17 – shall Luk 12:21 – he Luk 16:11 – true Luk 19:8 – Behold Joh 12:5 – and given Col 1:5 – laid Col 3:1 – seek 1Ti 6:19 – Laying Heb 10:34 – in yourselves that ye have Jam 5:2 – Your riches 1Pe 1:7 – that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4
See the comments at Mat 6:19-21.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 12:33. Sell what ye have, and give alms. Comp. Mat 6:19-21, but this is stronger. The connection of thought is with Luk 12:17 (what shall I do?), telling how earthly riches should be invested. But there is also a close connection with what precedes: Since God provides for our temporal wants as well as our higher spiritual ones, use His temporal gifts so as to promote your spiritual welfare. The first, but not exclusive, application is to the Apostles, who must be thus unencumbered in their ministry. If this course of conduct promoted their spiritual welfare, it will that of all Christians. The precept will not be understood too literally, except by those who apply it only to ascetics who assume vows of poverty. Our Lords words are diametrically opposed to modern socialism. The latter would make laws to take away wealth, the former inculcate love that gives away.
Purses which wax not old. Comp. chap. Luk 10:4, where the Seventy are forbidden to take purses.
A treasure in the heavens. A comparison with Luk 12:21 and Mat 7:2 shows that this precept is of universal application.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
The next duty which our Saviour exhorts his disciples to, is the duty of alms-giving; that they should be so far from distrusting God’s provisions for themselves, that they should be always forward to a ready distribution towards others; yea, in cases of necessity, to be willing to sell their goods to relieve others: yet this precept is not to be taken as if it concerned all persons, at all times, and in all places; but respects only cases of extreme necessity; or if it concerns all, it is only as to the readiness and preparation of the mind; that when necessity calls for it, we be found willing to part with any thing we have for the relief of Christ in his members.
Observe also, the argument used to excite to this duty of alms-giving: hereby we lay up our treasure in a safe hand, even in God’s, who will reward us openly. The bellies of the poor are bags that wax not old; what is lodged there is laid up securely out of the reach of danger. We imitate the wise merchant in transmitting our estates into another world, by bills of exchange, where we are sure to receive our own with usury.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Verse 33
Sell that ye have; so far as, in the exercise of prudence and sound discretion, is found necessary to relieve the wants of the destitute.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
12:33 {10} Sell that ye have, and give {k} alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
(10) A godly bountifulness is a proper way to get true riches.
(k) This is the figure of speech metonymy, for by this word “alms” is meant that compassion and friendliness of a heart that cares tenderly for the misery and poor condition of a man, and shows this feeling by some gift, and has the name given to it in the Greek language of mercy and compassion: and therefore he is said to give alms who gives something to another, and gives to the poor, showing by this that he pities their poor condition.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
In view of this prospect Jesus’ disciples should strip down and live simply so they could seek the kingdom without unnecessary materialistic distractions. By getting rid of their possessions they were in effect preparing to receive their reward. Jesus pictured this as making purses in anticipation of receiving something to put in them, namely, eternal rewards. Such purses would not wear out in contrast to the purses that hold material wealth. Furthermore their heavenly treasure would be secure rather than vulnerable to theft and destruction (cf. 1Pe 1:3-4).
"The generosity this text calls for has often been questioned. Are we really called to sell all our possessions? Jesus’ point is that we must give up viewing what we call ours, as if it were a private possession to be hoarded." [Note: Bock, Luke, p. 352.]
"The command to ’sell’ and ’give’ (or ’distribute’) is not obsolete after Jesus’ ascension, for the narrator portrays the life of the Jerusalem church in such a way as to indicate a particular kind of fulfillment of Jesus’ command. . . . The descriptions of this arrangement feature the words ’sell’ and ’distribute’ (using piprasko and diamerizo in Act 2:45, poleo and diadidomi in Luk 4:34-35), which correspond to the commands of Jesus in Luk 12:33 (poleo and didomi) and Luk 18:22 (poleo and diadidomi)." [Note: Tannehill, 1:247-48.]