Definition: [Ye] hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 12:56. It’s a really important and slightly challenging passage about discerning truth and understanding what’s real versus what isn't. Here’s the explanation in plain language: The Core Idea: This verse is asking us how we can tell if someone is being genuine or not, and how do we do that when it feels like there's a lot of deception around us? Let's unpack it piece by piece: "Ye" : This refers to "hypocrites." It’s a key word – it means people who pretend to be righteous or good but aren’t really. “Ye” (again) : It’s emphasizing that these hypocrites are specifically focused on understanding the truth – both of the sky and of the earth. "Ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth..." : This is a metaphor. The "sky" represents God's truth, and the "earth" represents human behavior or reality. It means they can recognize what’s true and what isn't. "...but how is it that ye do not discern this time?" This is the big question! It’s asking us: How can we know if someone is truly sincere, or are just putting on a show? It’s pointing out a difficulty in discerning truth when there's so much pressure, temptation, and deception around us. What does this mean practically? The verse suggests that it’s easy to be fooled – to be swayed by appearances rather than genuine belief or action. It implies that we need a deeper level of understanding, a sense of who someone is, to truly know if they are sincere. In essence, the verse encourages us to look beyond the surface and seek a deeper understanding of people's motives and intentions. It’s about being discerning – not just looking at what they say, but also trying to understand why they say it. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of situations where this truthfulness is important?