Luke 12:49

Not Peace but Division

49 I have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ¹

Luke 12:49 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:49

I am come to send fire on the earth
Meaning either the Gospel, which is as fire, that gives both light and heat, warms the hearts of God's people, and causes them to burn within them; though very distressing and torturing to wicked men; so the word of God is compared to fire, in ( Jeremiah 20:9 ) ( 23:29 ) . Or else zeal for it, and which would be opposed with sharp contentions by others; or rather persecution for the sake of the Gospel, called sometimes the fiery trial; which tries men, as gold is tried in the fire, what they are, and what their principles and profession be; unless the Holy Ghost, and baptizing with him, and with fire, should be meant; since Christ in the next verse, speaks of the baptism of his sufferings, which that was to follow:

and what will I?
what shall I say concerning this fire? what shall I wish and pray for? what would be pleasing and agreeable to me? even this,

if it be already kindled;
or "that it were already kindled", or "O that it were already kindled"; meaning either that the Gospel was warmly preached by his disciples, and zealously defended by them, as it was after his death and resurrection; or that hot persecution was raised against it which was now beginning, since the advantage of it would be far greater than the evil in it: or that the Holy Ghost was come down in cloven tongues, like as of fire.

Luke 12:49 In-Context

47 That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.

48 But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

49 I have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!

51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division.

Cross References

• 1. (Micah 7:1–6; Matthew 10:34–39)