Luke
12:49-59
Lesson 136
12:49-59
Lesson 136
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Luke 12:49-59
Interpret the times 49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. 55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. 56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? 57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? 58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. 59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. |
Margin notes:
"I am come to send fire on the earth." (12:49) - Many Bible scholars believe the "fire" represents the cleansing power of Jesus through His crucifixion. Others feel it is a warning of the final judgment that will consume the wicked (Luke 3:17). "What will I, if it be already kindled?" (12:49) - "How I long that it was already lit?" "Baptism." (12:50) - Jesus is referring to His pending crucifixion, the baptism of blood. "Straitened." (12:50) - "Distressed." Jesus was deeply "troubled" over the thought of His death (John 12:27). "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth?" (12:51) - "Do you think I came to give peace to the earth?" See also Matthew 10:34-36. "Nay; but rather division." (12:51) - There will be a division between believers and non-believers, as prophesized in Micah 7:6. "Straightway ye say." (12:54) - "Immediately, you say." "Ye do not discern this time?" (12:56) - "You don't understand the present time?" Matthew also recorded this conversation in Matthew 16:2-3. "As thou art in the way." (12:58) - "When you are on the way." "Give diligence." (12:58) - "Make an effort." Jesus is telling us to settle our differences. See also Matthew 5:25. "Till thou hast paid." (12:59) - "Until you have paid (the penalty). "Mite." (12:59) - Mites were made of copper and were the smallest denomination coin in Palestine. |