Luke 12 32

Luke 12:32 kjv

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32 nkjv

"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32 niv

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32 esv

"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32 nlt

"So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 32 Meaning

Luke 12:32 serves as a profound reassurance and a cornerstone of divine promise from Jesus to His disciples, encapsulated within a larger discourse on trust in God's provision. It directly counters the anxieties about earthly needs and worldly persecution previously discussed in Luke 12, affirming that despite their small numbers and apparent insignificance in the world's eyes, God the Father, in His sovereign good pleasure, has purposed to bestow upon them the spiritual and ultimate reality of the Kingdom. This declaration liberates believers from fear, rooting their hope and security not in earthly provisions or power, but in God's deliberate and benevolent will to give them the Kingdom as a divine gift.

Luke 12 32 Context

Luke chapter 12 focuses heavily on Jesus' teachings concerning true discipleship in the face of various challenges. It opens with warnings against hypocrisy and fearing human beings (Lk 12:1-12), urging confidence in God who notes even the fall of a sparrow. The discourse then shifts dramatically to a warning against covetousness through the Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk 12:13-21), illustrating the futility of storing up earthly treasures without being rich toward God. Immediately following this, Jesus addresses the disciples directly, admonishing them not to be anxious about food, drink, or clothing, highlighting God's care for creation and His superior care for His children (Lk 12:22-31). Luke 12:32 stands as the climactic assurance for the disciples in the midst of these exhortations against fear and anxiety. It transitions from focusing on God's provision for daily needs to His ultimate, sovereign gift of the Kingdom itself, giving them profound reason not to worry. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent calls to sell possessions, give to the needy, and live in readiness for the Master's return (Lk 12:33ff). The historical context shows the disciples as a small, fledgling movement within a larger, often hostile, Jewish and Roman society, facing social ostracism and potential persecution. Jesus' words reassure them that their smallness and vulnerability are not hindrances but rather highlight God's sovereign favor upon them.

Luke 12 32 Word analysis

• Fear not (Greek: μὴ φοβοῦ, mē phobou): This is a direct command, an imperative, common throughout Scripture when God or His messenger addresses a people feeling overwhelmed, threatened, or discouraged (e.g., Gen 15:1; Is 41:10; Lk 1:30, 2:10). Here, it aims to quell the anxieties over daily provisions and potential persecution that Jesus just addressed. It signifies God's presence and His benevolent intentions.
• little flock (Greek: μικρὸν ποίμνιον, mikron poimnion):
  • mikron (μικρὸν): Means "small," "little." It highlights the quantitative reality—the initial followers of Jesus were indeed few compared to the vast populace and the religious establishment. It emphasizes their apparent weakness and lack of worldly power.
  • poimnion (ποίμνιον): Means "flock," referring to a group of sheep, guided by a shepherd. This metaphor carries rich Old Testament associations of God as the Shepherd and His people as His flock (Ps 23; Ezek 34). It denotes dependence, vulnerability, but also special care and protection by the Shepherd. The diminutive nature implies intimacy and endearment, not insignificance. They are His precious few.
• for it is your Father's (Greek: ὅτι εὐδόκησεν ὁ Πατὴρ ὑμῶν, hoti eudokēsen ho Patēr hymōn):
  • hoti (ὅτι): Connects the preceding command "Fear not" to its foundational reason.
  • eudokēsen (εὐδόκησεν): From eudokeo, meaning "to think well of," "to be well pleased," "to be determined," or "to delight in." It implies a sovereign, gracious, and deliberate will or decision. This is not a reluctant concession, but a joyful, divine choice. It indicates God's purposeful resolve.
  • ho Patēr hymōn (ὁ Πατὴρ ὑμῶν): "Your Father." Emphasizes an intimate, personal, and loving relationship. It highlights the source of this divine purpose and gift—it flows from God's paternal love and sovereign authority over His children. This intimate term alleviates fear and assures protection.
• good pleasure (covered under eudokēsen): While the Greek is a verb eudokēsen ("it pleased," "it was His good pleasure"), its meaning underscores the idea of a deliberate, sovereign, and benevolent will of God. It's His perfect delight and determined plan.
• to give you the kingdom (Greek: δοῦναι ὑμῖν τὴν βασιλείαν, dounai hymin tēn basileian):
  • dounai (δοῦναι): "to give," "to bestow." This emphasizes that the Kingdom is a free gift, unearned and undeserved, bestowed by God's grace. It negates any notion that the Kingdom can be attained by human effort, merit, or works.
  • hymin (ὑμῖν): "to you" (plural). Directly specifies the recipients—the "little flock," the disciples of Jesus.
  • tēn basileian (τὴν βασιλείαν): "the Kingdom." Refers to the reign of God, both spiritual (His rule in the hearts of believers) and eschatological (the future consummation of His universal reign and the new heavens and earth). It encompasses salvation, eternal life, righteous living, and co-reigning with Christ. This "giving" of the Kingdom includes its present experience and its future inheritance in full.

• Fear not, little flock: This grouping creates a poignant and powerful image. It acknowledges the inherent vulnerability and numerical minority of the disciples, but immediately follows with a direct command to dispel their fears, establishing a personal and tender connection between the "little flock" and the coming divine assurance.
• it is your Father's good pleasure to give you: This phrase beautifully combines God's loving paternity with His sovereign will and the nature of His provision. It is not merely a giving, but a giving rooted in a divine delight and intention, securing the gift's certainty and benevolence.
• to give you the kingdom: This emphasizes the supreme value of the promised inheritance. The ultimate treasure is not earthly sustenance, but participation in God's eternal rule and domain. This clarifies why seeking the Kingdom (Lk 12:31) supersedes all other concerns.

Luke 12 32 Bonus section

The concept of the "little flock" serves as a powerful reminder that God's valuation often runs counter to the world's. Human metrics of success and significance typically revolve around numbers, power, influence, and wealth. Yet, Jesus deliberately speaks to a numerically small, socially unassuming group and elevates their standing by emphasizing God's unique and affectionate regard for them. This verse subtly contrasts human efforts to gain security through earthly accumulation (as seen in the parable of the rich fool) with the divine promise of the Kingdom through pure grace. The assurance of receiving "the Kingdom" directly combats any worldly mindset that would seek comfort or significance in material possessions. It redefines true wealth and security not as what one has, but as what one receives from God by His sovereign will.

Luke 12 32 Commentary

Luke 12:32 is a pivot point in Jesus' teaching, shifting from the negative commands of "do not worry" to the ultimate, positive reason for their confident trust. The divine "Fear not" addresses every imaginable anxiety—material needs, future security, societal pressure, and even physical safety—by pointing to an unfathomable, gracious, and sovereign will. The term "little flock" acknowledges the initial insignificance and vulnerability of Jesus' followers in the world's eyes, yet simultaneously endears them to their Shepherd. They are small, but they are His. This is crucial for believers who may feel overwhelmed by the world's hostility or their own perceived weakness.

The core of the verse lies in God's "good pleasure" (eudokēsen), which signifies not just a casual desire but a deeply purposed, delighted, and determined will. This highlights God's sovereignty; He chose this plan out of His own good nature. The Kingdom, therefore, is not earned through merit or achievement, nor is it subject to human whims or failures; it is a free, benevolent gift from God Himself, bestowed by His Fatherly love. This gift encompasses both the present reality of God's rule within and among believers, and the future inheritance of His complete and eternal dominion. Knowing this liberates the "little flock" to live without anxiety about perishable things, reorienting their priorities towards eternal treasures and courageous faithfulness in the face of temporal trials. It empowers them to embody discipleship in tangible ways, like giving generously or detaching from earthly possessions, secure in the knowledge of their divine inheritance.