Who has authority to throw you into hell? (Luke 12:4–6)
Luke 12:4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Luke 12:4 - 7
ESV - 4 I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
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Asked November 18 2022
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
Some commentators have understood this expression to be referring to Satan. However, Christians are told to defy and resist Satan, but never to fear him; nor are they ever told that Satan has any power to cast into Gehenna. The reference in the cited verse could only be to God.
Jack Gutknecht
I used to say that God doesn't send or cast anyone into hell (when I was witnessing to a lost person). You (if you're lost) send yourself there by not accepting Christ as your savior. But actually, this might be said better this way: God is the only one who can give eternal punishment Jesus' point here is, since God is the only One who controls eternal, nor merely temporal consequences, don't let fear of people keep you from standing up for Christ. "All that men can do is kill the body, but God can condemn the soul! Since He is the final Judge, and He judges for eternity, it is logical that we put the fear of God ahead of everything else." -- Wiersbe
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