The sayings and the parable found in this week's gospel text evidently come from Luke's own personal "L" source for they appear in none of the other gospels. There are similar stories found in the Gospel of Thomas though there they are lacking in some of the unique Lukan literary flourishes and theological touches.

The dialogue in verses 13 and 14 has been the subject of considerable debate among biblical scholars. There are some, most notably Rudolf Bultmann, who have contended that because this exchange between Jesus and the man seeking his inheritance stands rather awkwardly and alone between two other strongly discernable units, it should be viewed as a later addition to the text. Bultmann suggests that the man's request for judgment and Jesus' sharp retort possibly reflect a situation…