Luke 12 52

Luke 12:52 kjv

For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

Luke 12:52 nkjv

For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three.

Luke 12:52 niv

From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.

Luke 12:52 esv

For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.

Luke 12:52 nlt

From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against ? or two in favor and three against.

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 52 Meaning

Luke 12:52 declares that the coming of Jesus and the Gospel message would lead to profound division, specifically within the intimate setting of households. Far from bringing an immediate and universal peace in the earthly sense, Jesus foretold that His truth would create decisive choices, polarizing even family members into opposing factions based on their acceptance or rejection of Him. This verse underscores the radical and often disruptive nature of following Christ.

Luke 12 52 Context

Luke 12:52 immediately follows Jesus's powerful declarations about His mission. In Lk 12:49, He states His desire to "cast fire on the earth" (signifying purification, judgment, and fervor), and in Lk 12:50, He speaks of a "baptism to be baptized with" (referring to His imminent suffering and death). Lk 12:51 then explicitly states, "Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." Verse 52 serves as a direct illustration and amplification of this "division." The broader context of Luke 12 is Jesus teaching His disciples and the crowds about vigilance, trust in God, and the need for immediate spiritual preparedness for His coming and the kingdom. The concept of division emphasizes that His message requires a stark, defining choice from every individual, disrupting existing human alliances, especially within families, a primary social unit in Jewish culture.

Historically, ancient Jewish society was structured around family and clan loyalty. Familial bonds were paramount, and unity within the household was highly esteemed. Therefore, Jesus's prediction of division within one house was particularly shocking and counter-cultural. It challenged the prevailing expectation of a messianic age bringing universal peace and unity. Instead, He reveals that His kingdom would first manifest through a spiritual separation between those who believe and those who do not, even amongst the closest of relations.

Luke 12 52 Word analysis

• For (Greek: γάρ, gar): A conjunction connecting this verse directly to the preceding declaration of division in Lk 12:51. It provides the reason or explanation for how this division will manifest, particularly within families.
• from now on (Greek: ἀπʼ ἄρτι, ap' arti): Indicates an immediate and ongoing state. The division Jesus speaks of is not a distant future event, but something beginning with His ministry and accelerating through His death, resurrection, and the spread of the Gospel. It signifies the present reality of the spiritual struggle.
• in one house (Greek: οἴκῳ ἑνί, oikō heni): The dative case "oikō" (house) combined with "heni" (one) emphasizes the singular, intimate family unit. This highlights the painful nature of the division, striking at the very core of established social bonds and expected allegiances. "House" typically refers to an extended family household, including parents, children, and perhaps married children and their families.
• there will be (Greek: ἔσονται, esontai): Future tense, indicative verb from eimi (to be). This indicates a definite outcome or consequence, not a desired state but an inevitable reality resulting from His mission.
• five (Greek: πέντε, pente): A numerical example. It's not a rigid literal count of people in every divided family but serves as a generic representation of multiple individuals within a household, illustrating the internal split. It is likely chosen for its commonness in household contexts (e.g., parents and three children, or two couples plus one).
• divided (Greek: διαμερισθήσονται, diameristhēsontai): Future passive indicative from διαμερίζω (diamerizō). The passive voice shows that they will be divided, rather than actively dividing themselves, suggesting the Gospel message is the active agent in creating this split. Diamerizō means to divide into parts, distribute, or to set at variance. Here it signifies active opposition and disagreement among persons who previously shared unity.
• three against two and two against three: This phrase precisely details the nature of the division: a polarization. It highlights that the conflict is internal and direct, with two distinct sides forming within the family unit. The phrasing "three against two" could imply a majority standing with Christ against a minority, or vice-versa, depending on individual allegiance, signifying stark, uncompromising separation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For from now on in one house there will be five divided": This phrase establishes the direct connection to Jesus's prior statement about bringing division, specifying the setting (the immediate future, within intimate family units) and the numerical representation of this internal conflict. The number five exemplifies the intimate nature of the domestic strife, indicating that even small family units will not be immune.
• "three against two and two against three": This concrete numerical illustration paints a vivid picture of the binary opposition that Christ's coming initiates within households. It portrays the sharp polarization and irreconcilable differences that can arise when some accept and others reject the radical call of the Gospel. It's about fundamental allegiance, not minor disagreements.

Luke 12 52 Bonus section

The seemingly paradoxical nature of Jesus "not bringing peace but a sword/division" (Lk 12:51) directly contrasts with prophecies of Him being the "Prince of Peace" (Is 9:6). This distinction highlights that Jesus's peace is fundamentally spiritual – a peace with God (Rom 5:1) – which must first overcome internal resistance and opposition, sometimes even from loved ones. The division arises not from Christ actively inciting strife, but from the individual’s choice when confronted with His truth. Those who embrace the Light stand separated from those who prefer the darkness. This verse profoundly challenges societal norms, especially those valuing familial unity above all else, indicating that loyalty to Christ takes precedence over any earthly bond.

Luke 12 52 Commentary

Luke 12:52 provides a stark, unflinching look at the immediate and deeply personal impact of Jesus's mission. Far from promoting an idealized, earthly peace, Christ reveals that His arrival functions as a definitive choice, creating a decisive rift where individuals align either for or against Him. This division is most acutely felt where bonds are strongest – within the family. Jesus does not desire family division, but foresees it as an unavoidable consequence of the Gospel’s truth. The message of salvation in Christ, by its very nature, demands singular allegiance, which can inevitably lead to a fracturing of even the most sacred human relationships. This is not about external enemies but internal household strife, challenging disciples to understand the high cost and profound priority of their loyalty to Christ above all else, even over family harmony. It also serves as a warning against expecting universal acceptance of the Gospel and encourages believers to persevere despite internal opposition.