Luke 12:4

4 "My friends, listen to me. Don't be afraid of those who kill the body but can't do any more than that.

Luke 12:4 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:4

And I say unto you, my friends
Whom he dearly loved, and had taken into the greatest intimacy and familiarity; making known to them whatever he had heard from his Father; giving them the best instructions, the most faithful and friendly advice, and proper precautions; all which, and more, showed them to be his friends, and for whom he after laid down his life:

be not afraid of them that kill the body;
though he would have them beware of the Pharisees, he would not have them be afraid of them; he would have them know them, and avoid their hypocrisy, and guard against it; but not fear them, or the worst they could do unto them, which was to kill the body; and that they had no need to be afraid of, since at death, their souls would be immediately happy, in the enjoyment and vision of God; and their bodies would sleep in Jesus, and be raised in the resurrection morn, and be united to their souls, and be both for ever blessed:

and after that have no more that they can do;
they have nothing more to kill, or which they can put to pain or misery; the soul is out of their reach, is an immortal spirit, and cannot be hurt or destroyed by them.

Luke 12:4 In-Context

2 Everything that is secret will be brought out into the open. Everything that is hidden will be uncovered.

3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight. What you have whispered to someone behind closed doors will be shouted from the rooftops.

4 "My friends, listen to me. Don't be afraid of those who kill the body but can't do any more than that.

5 I will show you whom you should be afraid of. Be afraid of the One who can kill the body and also has the power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, be afraid of him.

6 "Aren't five sparrows sold for two pennies? But God does not forget even one of them.