Luke 12:51 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

NIV: Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

NASB: Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division;

CSB: Do you think that I came here to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

NLT: Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!

KJV: Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

NKJV: Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.

During this lesson, Jesus has spoken about the futility of valuing the things of the earth. He encourages His followers to be faithful, complete their assigned tasks, and wait for Him. Peter, probably speaking for all the disciples, has reminded Jesus that He promised them an honor that the crowd of people following them will not attain to. Jesus agrees, but He knows the disciples don't really understand what is at stake. Yes, the kingdom of God will arrive, but not before Jesus is crucified and the flames of judgment purify the earth (Luke 12:1–50).

His followers will face their own sacrifice. The point of judgment is to determine the value of things and respond accordingly. In the case of the kingdom of God, this means separating the people in the kingdom from those who are not and will not be in the kingdom. Some will accept forgiveness from sins and reconciliation with God through the sacrifice of Jesus and some won't. Those two camps will be divided.

Jesus goes on to make things more personal. Even families will be divided. Some of His disciples may see their own fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters reject Christ. Yes, they will judge Israel on twelve thrones (Matthew 19:28), but not everyone they love on earth will be in the Israel that inherits God's promises in the millennial kingdom (Luke 12:52–53).

This is why they need to be diligent in their work while Christ is away. Everyone will die physically, whether good or evil, and there comes a point when it is fruitless to try to save your own life (Luke 12:4–6). It is repentance that leads to salvation, not good works. But God is patient; every delay of Jesus' return is another chance for people to come to Him for forgiveness (Luke 13:1–9; 2 Peter 3:1–13). That is why Jesus-followers also need to be patient, like God, "not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9)

Luke 12:49–53 expresses Jesus' frustration that the disciples still miss His point. They need to value and anticipate the kingdom of God, not earthly respect, riches, survival, or honor (Luke 12:1–48). To follow Jesus, they will even need to be willing to sacrifice family relationships. Next, Jesus tells the crowd they should notice that change is coming; they need to repent to each other and to God to be ready (Luke 12:54—13:9). Matthew 10:34–37 records a similar warning.

Jesus teaches the disciples about proper priorities. This includes recognizing that God knows all things, even secrets. Believers should honor God more than they fear death, or than they worry about things like food and clothes. Christians are to remain ready for Christ's return, even as faith separates those who believe from those who do not. These ideas revolve around the central theme of verse 34: that a person's heart reflects what they value most.

Luke 12:1—13:9 compares the world with the kingdom of God. Jesus has condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Luke 11:14–54). He now instructs His disciples to reject the fame and security that Pharisees crave, and hold lightly to their lives, wealth, security, and even family. He then warns the crowd to be wise about their relationships with other people and with God. The next two units each include a miracle and teaching on God's kingdom and salvation (Luke 13:10—15:32). Then the final section in the "travelogue" repeats that three-unit pattern (Luke 16:1—19:27) before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.