Luke 12:49-59

Not Peace, but Division

49 a "I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 b I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how c great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 d Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? e No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, f father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

Interpreting the Time

54 He also said to the crowds, g "When you see h a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens. 55 And g when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be i scorching heat,' and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! j You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Settle with Your Accuser

57 "And why k do you not judge l for yourselves what is right? 58 m As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, n you will never get out until you have paid the very last o penny." 1

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 3:11
    I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
  2. Cross References
    Mark 10:38
    Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?
  3. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:14
    For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died.
  4. Cross References
    Luke 12:51 - 53
    Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
    Matthew 10:34 - 35
    Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
  5. Cross References
    Revelation 6:4
    And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.
  6. Cross References
    Luke 12:51 - 53
    Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
    Matthew 10:34 - 35
    Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 10:21
    Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.
    Micah 7:6
    For the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 16:2 - 3
    He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.
  9. Cross References
    1 Kings 18:43 - 44
    And he said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." And he went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." And he said, "Go again," seven times.
  10. Cross References
    Luke 12:54
    He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens.
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 20:12
    Saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.
  12. Cross References
    Matthew 16:3
    And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
  13. Cross References
    Luke 21:30
    As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.
  14. Cross References
    John 7:24
    Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
    1 Corinthians 11:13
    Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 5:25 - 26
    Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.
    Proverbs 25:8
    Do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 18:34 - 35
    And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.
  17. Cross References
    Luke 21:2
    And he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
    Mark 12:42
    And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.