Luke 12:49

Not Peace, but Division

12:49 “I have come 1  to bring 2  fire on the earth – and how I wish it were already kindled!

Luke 12:51

12:51 Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 3 

1 sn This mission statement, “I have come to bring fire on the earth,” looks to the purging and division Jesus causes: See Luke 3:9, 17; 9:54; 17:29 for fire, 5:32; 7:34; 9:58; 12:51 for the topic of mission.

2 tn Grk “cast.” For βάλλω (ballw) in the sense of causing a state or condition, see L&N 13.14.

3 tn Or “hostility.” This term pictures dissension and hostility (BDAG 234 s.v. διαμερισμός).