“Someone in the crowd
Said to Jesus.
‘Teacher!
Tell my brother
To divide
The family inheritance
With me!’”
Εἶπεν δέ τις ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου αὐτῷ Διδάσκαλε, εἰπὲ τῷ ἀδελφῷ μου μερίσασθαι μετ’ ἐμοῦ τὴν κληρονομίαν.
This is a unique saying in Luke, not found in the other synoptics. Luke said that someone in the crowd yelled to Jesus (Εἶπεν δέ τις ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου αὐτῷ), calling him respectfully teacher (Διδάσκαλε). He wanted Jesus to tell his brother (εἰπὲ τῷ ἀδελφῷ μου) to divide up the family inheritance with him (μερίσασθαι μετ’ ἐμοῦ τὴν κληρονομίαν). Apparently, the oldest son got twice as much as the other sons, according to Deuteronomy, chapter 21:17. This man wanted Jesus to get involved with a family dispute. This is the second time that someone in the crowd uniquely yelled out something here in Luke. Have you ever been involved in a family inheritance dispute?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 