Today's pericope, unique to this gospel, recounts Jesus' response to an interruption injected by a nameless individual in a question-and-answer session which takes place in the midst of a raucous crowd of thousands (12:1). The statement, in context, seems banal and hopelessly petty. Jesus has been encouraging the crowd to be fearless and faithful witnesses even in the face of persecution "before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities" (12:11). At this point, Jesus is interrupted with the words: "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me" (v.13).

That the question is asked of Jesus indicates that the questioner recognized Jesus as a religious authority to whom this question might be properly addressed. Issues of inheritance are treated in such Pentateuchal t…