Luke 12 49

Luke 12:49 kjv

I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Luke 12:49 nkjv

"I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

Luke 12:49 niv

"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

Luke 12:49 esv

"I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!

Luke 12:49 nlt

"I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 49 Meaning

Jesus declares His mission involves unleashing a powerful, transformative spiritual "fire" upon the earth, signifying a divinely initiated judgment, a fervent purification, and a radical division. His passionate longing for this fire to be "already kindled" expresses His intense desire for the swift and full commencement of His kingdom's decisive impact, despite the profound consequences it entails for both the world and Himself.

Luke 12 49 Context

Luke 12:49 follows Jesus' parables and teachings regarding readiness, watchfulness, and accountability for servants (Lk 12:35-48), particularly the parable of the faithful and unfaithful manager (Lk 12:42-48). These verses shift from the general audience to directly address His disciples' roles. Luke 12:49 introduces a stark and challenging statement about the nature of Jesus' mission, directly contrasting a popular misconception that the Messiah would bring only earthly peace and harmony. This declaration immediately precedes the equally powerful statement about the "baptism" He must undergo (Lk 12:50) and the ensuing social "division" He brings, rather than peace (Lk 12:51-53). Historically, the audience would have been steeped in messianic expectations often focused on national deliverance and restoration of earthly kingdom, not spiritual conflict and profound social upheaval brought by a Messiah. Jesus is resetting their expectations regarding the transformative and divisive impact of His presence and message.

Luke 12 49 Word analysis

• I have come (ἦλθον - ēλthon): "I have come" is a definitive statement of divine purpose and intentionality, reflecting Jesus' self-awareness of His pre-ordained mission. It is a recurring theme in the Gospels, underscoring His identity and mission as sent from God.
• to cast (βαλεῖν - balein): Means "to throw," "to hurl," or "to send down." It implies a forceful, intentional, and decisive action. This isn't a gentle diffusion, but an impactful, direct initiation of something momentous.
• fire (πῦρ - pyr): While literally fire, in prophetic and symbolic language, it signifies multiple things:
  • Judgment: A refining judgment that exposes and consumes impurity (e.g., Mal 3:2, Heb 12:29).
  • Purification: A cleansing and separating agent that refines genuine faith (e.g., 1 Cor 3:13-15, Zech 13:9).
  • Zeal/Passion: The ardent and consuming passion of God and for God, or the fervor of the Holy Spirit (e.g., Acts 2:3).
  • Divine Presence: Manifestation of God's holy and powerful presence (e.g., Exod 3:2). In this context, it encapsulates the radical, divisive, and transformative nature of Jesus' coming—it tests, purifies, and judges all that encounters it.
• upon the earth (ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν - epi tēn gēn): "Earth" (γῆ - gē) here often refers to humanity or the habitable world, not just the physical ground. It implies the universal scope of Jesus' mission and its effect on all people and established systems.
• and how I wish (καὶ τί θέλω - kai ti thelō): An emphatic, exclamatory phrase literally "And what do I wish!" or "Oh, how I wish!" It conveys an intense, earnest longing or desire on Jesus' part for the "fire" to be ignited immediately.
• it were already kindled! (εἰ ἀνήφθη - ei anēphthē): "Kindled" (ἀνήφθη - anēphthē) means "to be set ablaze," "to start burning," "to ignite." The passive voice implies that once cast, it would be ignited, indicating a fervent desire for the full manifestation of this "fire's" work and consequences to begin.

• "I have come to cast fire upon the earth": This phrase summarizes Jesus' primary mission: to unleash a powerful force (the 'fire') that will initiate a decisive work of divine judgment, spiritual purification, and zealous commitment across the entire human world. It is an active and intentional act.
• "and how I wish it were already kindled!": This highlights Jesus' profound emotional intensity and divine zeal. Despite knowing the "fire" will involve His suffering (Lk 12:50) and bring societal division (Lk 12:51-53), He yearns for its swift and complete initiation. It shows His willingness to endure immense personal cost for the sake of His redemptive and purifying work.

Luke 12 49 Bonus section

The verse encapsulates a significant paradox in Jesus' ministry: while the angels sang of "peace on earth" at His birth (Lk 2:14), His actual coming brought a challenging spiritual reality that demanded ultimate loyalty, often leading to division. This fire, while a symbol of judgment for some, is also the fervent zeal of His kingdom, establishing God's righteousness and separating true devotion from mere religiosity. Jesus' expressed "wish" also speaks to His unique prophetic foresight and the divine urgency of His mission; He sees the eventual outcome and longs for the swift fulfillment of God's eternal plan, even though it must first pass through the crucible of the cross. This desire also reflects the intensity of God's holiness and His unwavering commitment to cleanse and purify.

Luke 12 49 Commentary

Luke 12:49 reveals the profound and often challenging nature of Jesus' mission. The "fire" is not a literal blaze but a powerful metaphor for the profound impact His advent, His teachings, and ultimately His sacrificial work would have on humanity. It symbolizes the spiritual division between those who embrace His truth and those who reject it, leading to judgment for the latter and purification for the former. This fire represents the refining truth of God's Word, the consuming passion of the Holy Spirit, and the ultimate judgment that exposes all falsehoods. Jesus' intense desire for this "fire" to be "already kindled" underscores His deep commitment to the swift realization of His saving and sovereign work, even though He knew it would involve immense personal suffering, as hinted in the very next verse concerning the "baptism" He had to undergo. It is a declaration that the Kingdom of God does not bring a superficial peace, but a radical upheaval leading to ultimate clarity and consequence.