3-john-1:2,luke-12:49-56,matthew-10:38-39

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:49-50

In view of the context Jesus’ reference to fire must be as a symbol of judgment primarily rather than purification, its other common signification in Scripture. He had just spoken of judging unfaithful disciples (Luke 12:45-48). Now He explained that one of the purposes of His incarnation was to bring judgment to the earth (cf. Luke 3:16). Perhaps Jesus wished this aspect of His ministry was taking place already because it would result in the purification of His people and would usher in the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:49-53

Division over Jesus 12:49-53 (cf. Matthew 10:34-36)Jesus addressed these words to His disciples primarily (cf. Luke 12:41-42). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:49-59

5. The coming distress 12:49-59Jesus’ teaching on the same occasion continued. He clarified next that His disciples could anticipate a period of intense persecution. This is the reason He charged them to be faithful (Luke 12:41-48)."In Luke 12:49 to Luke 14:24, Jesus is calling on his audience to note the nature of the time-a time when God is making divisions among people, a time when people should be able to see what God is doing through Jesus, and a time when Israel had better respond before... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:51-53

Evidently Jesus meant that He did not just come to bring peace on earth but also division. Jesus’ earthly ministry began this division. From the time Jesus appeared preaching publicly, even households, the tightest social units, began to experience division. The difference of opinion that divided people was their beliefs about Jesus’ person and work. This situation would continue. No physical relationship would escape the possibility of this division (cf. Micah 7:6). This situation posed a... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:54-55

Rain clouds moved in from the Mediterranean to the west and usually indicated showers. Southerly winds often brought hotter weather from the desert that lay in that general direction. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:54-59

Decision for Jesus 12:54-59Jesus again focused His teaching on the multitudes (cf. Luke 12:13). He urged the people to discern the significance of the present times. This was important in view of the coming judgment and the present division of opinion concerning Himself. Luke did not indicate a chronological connection between this section and the preceding one, though there may have been one. He may have inserted this teaching here because of its logical connection with what precedes. In... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:56

The people could predict future weather from present signs, but they could not see that the events associated with Jesus’ ministry indicated the arrival of Messiah (cf. Matthew 16:2-3). The present time was one of change and crisis. By calling His hearers hypocrites Jesus was saying that He recognized that their professed inability to recognize Messiah’s appearance was unreal. It was not that they could not see that He was the Messiah, but they did not want to see it in spite of the... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:1-59

The Leaven of the Pharisees. The Rich Fool1-12. Jesus warns His followers against Pharisaic hypocrisy, and exhorts them to be courageous in face of opposition. This speech is not unsuitable to the context in St. Luke, but the whole of the sayings are found also in St. Matthew’s Gospel, generally in a more natural connexion (mostly in the charge to the Twelve, Luke 10:5-42). Perhaps St. Luke here groups together savings spoken at different times.1. When there were] RV ’when the many thousands of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 12:49

(49) I am come to send fire on the earth.—There is a strange unique abruptness in the utterance. We are compelled to assume a pause, a moment’s thought, as in one whose gaze looks out into the future, and who at once feels its terrors and yet accepts them. The fire which He came to send is the fire of judgment which shall burn up the chaff (see Note on Matthew 3:12), the baptism of fire which shall purify and cleanse as well as destroy. The Son of Man knew that this, with all its terrors, was... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 12:50

(50) I have a baptism to be baptized with.—Here we have a point of contact with the words spoken to the sons of Zebedee. (See Notes on Matthew 20:22, and Mark 10:38.) The baptism of which the Lord now speaks is that of one who is come into deep waters, so that the floods pass over him, over whose head have passed and are passing the waves and billows of many and great sorrows. Yet here, too, the Son of Man does not shrink or draw back. What He felt most keenly, in His human nature, was the... read more

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