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Verse Takeaways
1
The 'Fire' of Division
Commentators agree that the 'fire' Jesus speaks of is not literal. It primarily symbolizes the intense division, conflict, and purification that the gospel message ignites in the world. As scholars like Albert Barnes and Matthew Henry explain, this conflict is not the goal of Christ's message, which is peaceable, but the inevitable result of truth confronting human pride and sin.
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Book Overview
Luke
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On Luke 12:49
18th Century
Theologian
I am come. The result of my coming will be that there will be divisions and contentions. He does not mean that he came for that p…
AT Robertson
On Luke 12:49
I came to cast fire (Πυρ ηλθον βαλειν). Suddenly Jesus lets the volcano in his own heart burst forth. The fire was already burning…
Charles Ellicott
On Luke 12:49
19th Century
Bishop
I am come to send fire on the earth.—There is a strange, unique abruptness in the utterance. We are compelled to assume a…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Luke 12:49
The previous section leads into this paragraph about the personal crises Christ precipitates. It is difficult to determine the precise meaning of “…
John Calvin
On Luke 12:49
16th Century
Theologian
I am come to send fire on the earth. From these concluding words, it can easily be inferred that this was one of Christ's latest discourse…
John Gill
On Luke 12:49
17th Century
Pastor
I am come to send fire on the earth
Meaning either the Gospel, which is as fire, that gives both light and heat, war…
Matthew Henry
On Luke 12:41–53
17th Century
Minister
All are to apply to themselves what Christ says in His word and to inquire about it. No one is left so ignorant that they do not know many things t…