Luke 12 · Verse 49

Luke 12:49

I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
Luke 12:49, King James Version

Luke 12:49 in other translations

BSBI have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
WEB“I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled.
ASVI came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled?
YLT‘Fire I came to cast to the earth, and what will I if already it was kindled?
DARBYI have come to cast a fire on the earth; and what will I if already it has been kindled?
BBEI came to send a fire on the earth, and it may even now have been lighted.
WebsterI am come to send fire on the earth, and what will I, if it is already kindled?

What does Luke 12:49 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 12:49-53
49-53. to send--cast. fire--"the higher spiritual element of life which Jesus came to introduce into this earth (compare Mt 3:11), with reference to its mighty effects in quickening all that is akin to it and destroying all that is opposed. To cause this element of life to take up its abode on earth, and wholly to pervade human hearts with its warmth, was the lofty destiny of the Redeemer" [Olshausen: so Calvin, Stier, Alford, &c.]. what will I, &c.--an obscure expression, uttered under deep and half-smothered emotion. In its general import all are agreed; but the nearest to the precise meaning seems to be, "And what should I have to desire if it were once already kindled?" [Bengel and Bloomfield].

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 49. I am come, &c. The result of my coming will be that there will be divisions and contentions. He does not mean that he came for that purpose, or that he sought and desired it; but that such was the state of the human heart, and such the opposition of men to the truth, that that would be the effect of his coming. Mt 10:34.

Fire. Fire, here, is the emblem of discord and contention, and consequently of calamities. Thus it is used in Ps 66:12 Is 43:2. And what will I, &c. This passage might be better expressed in this manner:
"And what would I, but that it were kindled. Since it is
necessary for the advancement of religion that
such divisions should take place; since the gospel
cannot be established without conflicts, and strifes,
and hatreds, I am even desirous that they should come.
Since the greatest blessing which mankind can receive
must be attended with such unhappy divisions, I am
willing, nay, desirous that they should come."
He did not wish evil in itself; but, as it was the occasion of good, he was desirous, if it must take place, that it should take place soon. From this we learn--

1st. That the promotion of religion may be expected to produce many contests and bitter feelings.

2nd. That the heart of man must be exceedingly wicked, or it would not oppose a work like the Christian religion.

3rd. That though God cannot look on evil with approbation, yet, for the sake of the benefit which may grow out of it, he is willing to permit it, and suffer it to come into the world.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 49 I am come to send fire - See this subject largely explained on Mat 10:34 (note), etc. From the connection in which these words stand, both in this place and in Matthew, it appears as if our Lord intended by the word fire, not only the consuming influence of the Roman sword, but also the influence of his own Spirit in the destruction of sin. In both these senses this fire was already kindled: as yet, however, it appeared but as a spark, but was soon to break out into an all-consuming flame.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 12:41-53

All are to take to themselves what Christ says in his word, and to inquire concerning it. No one is left so ignorant as not to know many things to be wrong which he does, and many things to be right which he neglects; therefore all are without excuse in their sin. The bringing in the gospel dispensation would occasion desolations. Not that this would be the tendency of Christ's religion, which is pure, peaceable…

Read the full comment on Luke 12:41-53 →

Luke 12:49 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.

ΠῦρPurFireG4442
ἦλθονēlthonI cameG2064
βαλεῖνbaleinto castG906
ἐπὶepiuponG1909
τὴνtēntheG3588
γῆνgēnearthG1093
καὶkaiandG2532
τίtihowG5101
θέλωthelōI wishG2309
εἰeiifG1487
ἤδηēdēalreadyG2235
ἀνήφθη.anēphthēit be kindled!G381

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

Cross references for Luke 12:49

  • Malachi 4:1

    For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

  • Matthew 3:10-12

    And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

  • Malachi 3:2-3

    But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

  • Luke 12:51-52

    Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

  • Joel 2:30-31

    And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.

  • Isaiah 11:4

    But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

  • John 9:4

    I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

  • Luke 13:31-33

    The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

  • John 12:17-19

    The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

  • Luke 19:39-40

    And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

  • Luke 11:53-54

    And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

  • John 11:8-10

    His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
come.
51,52; Isa 11:4; Joe 2:30,31; Mal 3:2,3; 4:1; Mt 3:10-12
and.
11:53,54; 13:31-33; 19:39,40; Joh 9:4; 11:8-10; 12:17-19

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

Context

  • Luke 12:48

    But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

  • Luke 12:49

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

  • Luke 12:50

    But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Read all of Luke 12

Luke 12:49 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Fuego vine á meter en la tierra: ¿y qué quiero, si ya está encendido?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je suis venu jeter le feu sur la terre; et que veux-je, si déjà il est allumé?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich bin gekommen, Feuer auf die Erde zu werfen; und was will ich, wenn es schon angezündet ist?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ignem veni mittere in terram, et quid volo nisi ut accendatur?