Luke 12 5

Luke 12:5 kjv

But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Luke 12:5 nkjv

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Luke 12:5 niv

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Luke 12:5 esv

But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

Luke 12:5 nlt

But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he's the one to fear.

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 5 Meaning

Luke 12:5 delivers a solemn and emphatic warning from Jesus, distinguishing between the limited power of human adversaries and the ultimate, eternal power of God. While people can inflict physical harm and even death, their power extends no further than the body. God alone possesses the authority to determine one's eternal destiny, having power not only over life and physical death but also over what happens to the soul and body after death, specifically the power to cast into hell. This verse is a strong admonition to fear God above all else, not with a cowering dread, but with a profound reverence and awe for His absolute sovereignty, righteousness, and ultimate judgment, which rightly influences obedience and faith.

Luke 12 5 Context

Luke 12:5 is part of Jesus' discourse to His disciples (and implicitly the crowds) concerning hypocrisy, God's providence, and the necessity of preparing for the coming judgment. Immediately prior to this verse, in Luke 12:4, Jesus explicitly tells His disciples not to fear those who can only kill the body and after that have no more power to do anything. This sets up a crucial contrast, highlighting the limited power of humans in the face of persecution. Verse 5 then follows with the stark, yet necessary, instruction to fear the one who does possess ultimate and eternal power. The broader context includes warnings against covetousness (Lk 12:13-21), anxiety about material possessions (Lk 12:22-34), and the urgency of readiness for Christ's return (Lk 12:35-48). The call to fear God properly aligns with living a life free from worldly anxieties and prioritizing eternal realities over temporal concerns or the approval of others.

Luke 12 5 Word analysis

• But (πλην - plēn): A strong adversative conjunction, signifying "nevertheless" or "however." It introduces a profound contrast and exception to the previous statement in Luke 12:4, pivoting from what not to fear to what truly warrants fear.
• I will warn you (ὑποδείξω ὑμῖν - hupodeixō hymin): The verb hupodeixō means "to show by way of example," "to make known," or "to instruct with caution." This isn't just a casual remark but a serious, deliberate, and authoritative teaching, akin to pointing out a significant danger or truth. It implies a necessity for the hearers to be acutely aware of what follows.
• whom to fear (τίνα φοβηθῆτε - tina phobēthēte): The emphasis is on whom. This highlights the object of fear. The verb phobēthēte (fear) is in the aorist passive subjunctive, indicating a definitive, once-and-for-all choice regarding the proper object of fear. This "fear" (phobos) is not mere terror, but a holy reverence and profound awe of God's power and justice, combined with a dread of the consequences of disobedience to Him.
• Fear Him (φοβήθητε αὐτόν - phobēthēte auton): A repetition of the imperative "fear," providing direct emphasis on the action and its singular object ("Him," referring to God). The repetition underscores the vital importance of this command.
• who after He has killed (μετὰ τὸ ἀποκτεῖναι - meta to apokteinai): "Killed" (apokteinai) refers to God's sovereign power over physical death. This phrase does not imply God actively kills believers without cause, but that His ultimate authority extends to determining the cessation of earthly life. More significantly, it points to His power in divine judgment where death may be a precursor to something worse for the unrighteous.
• has power (ἐξουσίαν ἔχει - exousian echei): Exousian (authority/power/right) denotes legitimate, inherent authority and absolute ability, unlike the limited physical power of men mentioned in the preceding verse. God possesses both the right and the capability.
• to cast into hell (ἐμβαλεῖν εἰς τὴν γέενναν - embalein eis tēn geennan):
  • to cast (embalein): Signifies a definitive and forceful act of judgment.
  • hell (γέενναν - Gehennan): This is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew "Ge Hinnom," or the Valley of Hinnom, a valley just outside Jerusalem. In ancient times, it was associated with abhorrent pagan rituals, including child sacrifice (e.g., Jer 19:6). Later, it became the city's perpetual rubbish dump, where fires constantly burned, consuming refuse and carcasses. Jesus used Gehenna as the most potent symbol known to His audience for ultimate, eternal destruction and judgment, marked by unquenchable fire and enduring suffering (compare Mk 9:43-48). It signifies separation from God and enduring punitive consequence for sin.
• Yes, I tell you, fear Him! (Ναί, λέγω ὑμῖν, τοῦτον φοβήθητε - Nai, legō hymin, touton phobēthēte): This triplicate emphatic reinforcement ("Yes," "I tell you," and the repetition of "fear Him") underlines the absolute criticality and unwavering truth of Jesus' teaching. The word touton ("this one") explicitly singles out God as the singular, appropriate object of such fear.

Luke 12 5 Bonus section

This verse establishes a fundamental principle: our understanding of and response to fear shapes our ultimate allegiance. If we fear people more than God, we will inevitably succumb to their pressures and compromise our faith. If we fear God supremely, acknowledging His unmatched power and authority over both life and afterlife, we will live in a way that prioritizes His will and eternal realities.

The concept of "destroy" (apollumi) in the parallel Matthew 10:28 is also significant. While Luke uses "cast into hell," Matthew's "destroy both soul and body in hell" emphasizes the totality of God's power over eternal annihilation, not of existence, but of wellbeing and relationship with God. The punishment in Gehenna implies an ongoing state of suffering and separation, highlighting the comprehensive and irreversible nature of final judgment. Thus, God's power here is not merely about sending to a place but determining a full, eternal, wretched state of being, in stark contrast to the limited, temporal harm humans can inflict.

Luke 12 5 Commentary

Luke 12:5 is a critical theological statement from Jesus, acting as a stern warning and a profound directive on the nature of fear. Coming after a direct instruction not to fear those with limited earthly power (human persecutors), this verse unequivocally redirects the focus to the only one whose power is absolute and eternal: God Himself.

The fear being commanded here is not a paralyzing terror that debilitates a believer, but a holy dread combined with reverence and awe for the Almighty. It acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty over all aspects of existence, extending beyond physical life and death to the ultimate, eternal destiny of the soul. Human enemies, at their worst, can inflict only temporary physical suffering and death; their power ends at the grave. But God's judgment reaches into eternity, encompassing the whole person (body and soul). The term "Gehenna" (hell) profoundly illustrates the severe, ultimate consequences of God's righteous wrath for those who defy Him.

This verse challenges common human tendencies: to fear those in authority, to fear suffering, or to prioritize worldly safety above spiritual truth. Instead, Jesus demands that our greatest apprehension, and consequently our greatest devotion, be directed toward God. Such fear serves as a deterrent against sin and an immense motivator for obedience, repentance, and faithful living. It is a saving fear, leading to wisdom (Prov 1:7) and submission to God's will. For the Christian, this fear manifests as a profound reverence for God's holiness and justice, motivating humble obedience and grateful reliance on His grace through Christ, who endured this ultimate judgment on our behalf.

• Practical Examples:
  • A Christian facing job loss for not compromising their faith, remembering this verse to prioritize God's eternal power over temporary financial insecurity.
  • A young person resisting peer pressure to engage in unbiblical behavior, understanding that fear of God's ultimate judgment outweighs fear of social rejection.
  • A believer suffering persecution for their faith, finding comfort that the worst their tormentors can do is limited to this earthly life, while God holds eternal destiny.