Luke 12 · Verse 32

Luke 12:32

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:32, King James Version

Luke 12:32 in other translations

BSBDo not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
WEB“Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
ASVFear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
YLT‘Fear not, little flock, because your Father did delight to give you the reign;
DARBYFear not, little flock, for it has been the good pleasure of your Father to give you the kingdom.
BBEHave no fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
WebsterFear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

What does Luke 12:32 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
32. little flock, &c.--How sublime and touching a contrast between this tender and pitying appellation, "Little flock" (in the original a double diminutive, which in German can be expressed, but not in English)--and the "good pleasure" of the Father to give them the Kingdom; the one recalling the insignificance and helplessness of that then literal handful of disciples, the other holding up to their view the eternal love that encircled them, the everlasting arms that were underneath them, and the high inheritance awaiting them!--"the kingdom"; grand word; then why not "bread" (Lu 12:31 [Bengel]). Well might He say, "Fear not!"

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 32. Little flock. Our Saviour often represents himself as a shepherd, and his followers as a flock or as sheep. The figure was beautiful. In Judea it was a common employment to attend flocks. The shepherd was with them, defended them, provided for them, led them to green pastures and beside still waters. In all these things Jesus was and is eminently the Good Shepherd. His flock was small. Few really followed him, compared with the multitude who professed to love him. But, though small in number, they were not to fear. God was their Friend. He would provide for them. It was his purpose to give them the kingdom, and they had nothing to fear, see Mt 6:19-21.

(b) "little flock" Is 40:11, Jn 10:27,28 (c) "it is the father's good pleasure" Mt 25:34, Jn 18:36, Heb 12:28 Jas 2:5, 2Pet 1:11, Rev 1:6, 22:5

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 32 Fear not, little flock - Or, very little flock, το μικρον ποιμνιον. This is what some term a double diminutive, and, literally translated, is, little little flock. Though this refers solely to the apostles and first believers, of whom it was literally true, yet we may say that the number of genuine believers has been, and is still, small, in comparison of heathens and false Christians. It is your Father's good pleasure - Ευδοκησεν, It hath pleased, etc., though this tense joined with an infinitive has often the force of the present. Our Lord intimated, God has already given you that kingdom which consists in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, and has undertaken to protect and save you to the uttermost; therefore, fear not; the smallness of your number cannot hurt you, for omnipotence itself has undertaken your cause.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 12:22-40

Christ largely insisted upon this caution not to give way to disquieting, perplexing cares, Mt 6:25-34. The arguments here used are for our encouragement to cast our care upon God, which is the right way to get ease. As in our stature, so in our state, it is our wisdom to take it as it is. An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of this world, even necessary things, ill becomes the disciples of Christ. Fears must…

Read the full comment on Luke 12:22-40 →

Luke 12:32 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΜὴMēNotG3361
φοβοῦ,phoboudo fear,G5399
τὸtoOG3588
μικρὸνmikronlittleG3398
ποίμνιον,poimnionflock,G4168
ὅτιhotiforG3754
εὐδόκησενeudokēsentook delightG2106
ὁhotheG3588
πατὴρpatērFatherG3962
ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771
δοῦναιdounaito giveG1325
ὑμῖνhuminyouG4771
τὴνtēntheG3588
βασιλείαν.basileiankingdom.G932

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 12:32

  • Hebrews 12:28

    Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

  • 1 Peter 1:3-5

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

  • Revelation 1:6

    And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

  • Philippians 2:13

    For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

  • Luke 10:21

    In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

  • Matthew 25:34

    Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

  • Isaiah 40:11

    He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

  • Romans 8:28-32

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? …

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:11

    Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

  • 2 Peter 1:11

    For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

  • Matthew 14:27

    But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

  • John 10:26-30

    But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
little.
So 1:7,8; Isa 40:11; 41:14; *marg:
Isa 53:6; Mt 7:15; 18:12-14; 20:16; Joh 10:26-30
it is.
10:21; Mt 11:25-27; Eph 1:5-9; Php 2:13; 2Th 1:11
the kingdom.
Jer 3:19; Mt 25:34; Joh 18:36; Ro 6:23; 8:28-32; 2Th 1:5; Heb 12:28
Jas 2:5; 1Pe 1:3-5; 2Pe 1:11; Re 1:6; 22:5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 12:31

    But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • Luke 12:32

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

  • Luke 12:33

    Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Read all of Luke 12

Luke 12:32 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No temáis, manada pequeña; porque al Padre ha placido daros el reino.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		– Ne crains pas, petit troupeau, car il a plu à votre Père de vous donner le royaume.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Fürchte dich nicht, du kleine Herde, denn es hat eurem Vater wohlgefallen, euch das Reich zu geben.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nolite timere pusillus grex, quia complacuit Patri vestro dare vobis regnum.