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Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

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. "Christ came to set the world on fire, and the conflagration had already begun" (Plummer). The very passion in Christ's heart would set his friends on fire and his foes in opposition as we have just seen (Luke 11:53). It is like the saying of Jesus that he came to bring not peace, but a sword, to bring cleavage among men (Matthew 10:34-36).And what will I, if it is already kindled?

(κα τ θελω ε ηδη ανηφθη;). It is not clear what this passage means. Probably τ is be taken in the sense of "how" (πως). How I wish. Then ε can be taken as equal to οτ. How I wish that it were already kindled. Ανηφθη is first aorist passive of αναπτω, to set fire to, to kindle, to make blaze. Probably Luke means the conflagration to come by his death on the Cross for he changes the figure and refers to that more plainly.

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See also Luke 12:49 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 49. _I AM COME TO SEND FIRE_] See this subject largely explained on Matthew 10:34, c. From the connection in which these words stand, both in this place and in Matthew, it appears as if our Lor...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    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 purpose, or that he “sought” and “desired” it; but that such was...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 12 _ 1. Warning Against Hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1)_ 2. Encouragements. (Luke 12:4) 3. Warning Against Covetousness. (Luke 12:15) 4. Warning Against Anxiety. ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    SIGNS OF THE TIMES. For parallels see below. Jesus is oppressed with the thought of the future till it is accomplished. LUKE 12:49 F. Lk. only. Fire is what Jesus has come to cast on the earth (_cf._...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Jesus said, "I came to cast fire upon the earth. And what do I wish? Would that it were already kindled! There is an experience through which I must pass; and now I am under tension until it is accomp...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE CREED OF COURAGE AND OF TRUST (Luke 12:1-12)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    I AM COME. Icame, &c. SEND. Greek. _ballo._ In fourteen out of the eighteen occurrences in Luke, rendered "cast". See verses: Luke 28:88. FIRE. See Joel 2:30, &c. Had the nation received Him, _all_ t...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _I am come to send fire on the earth_ St John had preached "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire" and that "He should burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." The metaphor is proba...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Luke 9:51 to Luke 18:31_. Rejected by the Samaritans. A lesson of Tolerance._ This section forms a great episode in St Luke, which may be called the departure for the final conflict, and is identical...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΠΥ͂Ρ ἮΛΘΟΝ ΒΑΛΕΙ͂Ν ἘΠῚ ΤῊΝ ΓΗ͂Ν. ‘_I came to cast fire on the earth_.’ The “_send fire_” of the A.V[269] is from the Vulg[270] _mittere_. St John had preached, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghos...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    LESSONS OF TRUSTFULNESS (22–32), ALMSGIVING (33, 34), AND FAITHFUL WATCHFULNESS (35–48). THE SEARCHING EFFECT OF CHRIST’S WORK (49–53)...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    CHAPS. Luke 9:51 to Luke 18:31 This section forms a great episode in St Luke, which may be called the departure for the final conflict, and is identical with the journey (probably to the Feast of the...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    Ver 49. I am come to send fire on the earth, and what will I, if it be already kindled? 50. But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straightened till it be accomplished! 51. Suppose you...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΉΛΘΟΝ _aor. ind. act., см._ Luke 12:36. ΒΑΛΕΪΝ _aor. act. inf. от_ ΒΆΛΛΩ (G906) бросать, сбрасывать. _Inf._ цели, ΤΊ ΘΈΛΩ ΕΊ "как Я хочу, чтобы..." (RWP). ΆΝΉΦΘΗ _aor. ind. pass. от_ ΆΝΆΠΤΩ (G381)...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    I AM COME TO SEND FIRE, &C.— Jesus concluded the charge with foretelling the divisions which should be occasioned by his gospel: _I am come to send fire on the earth,_ (see on Matthew 10:34.) _and wha...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _The Mission of the Son of Man Scripture_ Luke 12:49-53 I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled? 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS SECTION 4 Attitudes That Aid Alertness (Luke 12:49-59) 49 I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!50I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? I AM COME TO SEND, [ balein (G906 ), RATHER, 'TO CAST'] FIRE ON THE EARTH. By "fire" here we are to understand, as Ol...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    39 As most of the houses in Palestine were built of sun-dried clay, or adobe, a thief could best effect an entrance by digging his way through the walls. They literally burrowed their way into a house...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES. THE RICH FOOL 1-12. Jesus warns His followers against Pharisaic hypocrisy, and exhorts them to be courageous in face of opposition. This speech is not unsuitable to the co...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE STRIFE THAT THE GOSPEL WILL PRODUCE. In different connexions in Mt....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    A PARADOX. The Prince of Peace comes to bring strife and bloodshed, fire and sword, into the world, because only through war can lasting peace be attained. Some, however, understand by fire, the fire...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    LUKE’S GOOD NEWS LUKE _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 12 JESUS WARNS AND ENCOURAGES HIS *DISCIPLES 12:1-12 1 WARNING ABOUT THE FALSE LIVES OF THE *PHARISEES 12:1-3 V1 Thousands of people had gathered. T...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    I AM COME TO SEND FIRE ON THE EARTH. — There is a strange unique abruptness in the utterance. We are compelled to assume a pause, a moment’s thought, as in one whose gaze looks out into the future, an...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    _Not peace but division_ (Matthew 10:34-36). This section is introduced by no connecting particle. Yet there is a certain affinity of thought. Strict fidelity demanded under penalties, but fidelity no...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    πῦρ : the fire of a new faith, or religion, a burning enthusiasm in believers, creating fierce antagonism in unbelievers; deplorable but inevitable. βαλεῖν, used by Mt. in reference to peace and war,...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE GREAT DIVIDER Luke 12:49-59 As Prometheus, in the old Greek fable, brought fire from above in a reed, so Christ brought the fire of the Holy Spirit in the frail lantern of His humanity. But, firs...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Knowing that the enmity of the rulers against Him would proceed also against His disciples, He told them not to be afraid of those who kill the body, remembering ever their Father's care, as revealed...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (13) I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? (13) The gospel is the only reason of peace between the godly, and so it is the occasion of great trouble among th...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    I am come to send fire on the earth. By this fire, some understand the light of the gospel, and the fire of charity and divine love. Others, the fire of trials and persecutions. (Witham) --- What is t...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    THE FIERY BAPTISM Luke 12:49-53. _“I came to send fire on the earth, and what do I wish if it is already kindled?”_ This is none other than the fiery baptism of Pentecost, which Jesus came to send on...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    After having thus followed the natural course of the conversation, Jesus returns to the thought from which it had started, the vanity of earthly goods. He shows how this truth directly applies to the...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    4 _th. To the Apostles: Luke 12:41-53_. Up till now, Jesus had been speaking to all believers; from this point, on occasion of a question put by Peter, He addresses the apostles in particular, and rem...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (49) I am come to send fire on the earth, and what will I, if it be already kindled? (50) But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished? (51) Suppose ye tha...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The ninth chapter opens with the mission not the setting apart, but the circuit of the twelve sent out by the Lord, who therein was working after a fresh sort. He communicates power in grace to men, c...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    49._I am come to send fire on the earth. _From these concluding words it may easily be inferred, that this was one of Christ’s latest discourses, and is not related by Luke at the proper place. But th...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    chapter 12 puts the disciples into this place of testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost, and with the world opposed to them, after the Lord's departure. It is the word and the Holy Ghost, instead of...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    I AM COME TO SEND FIRE ON THE EARTH,.... Meaning either the Gospel, which is as fire, that gives both light and heat, warms the hearts of God's people, and causes them to burn within them; though very...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? Ver. 49. _To send fire on the earth_] That is, that persecution that is _evangelii genius, _ guardian of the gospel, as...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _I am come to send fire on earth_ Our Lord concludes his charge to his disciples with foretelling the divisions that should be occasioned by his gospel. See on Matthew 10:34. As if he had said, After...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    TO SEND FIRE; in the same sense in which he came to send a sword. Matthew 10:34. Fire and sword are emblems of contention, distress, and ruin: not that this was the object of Christ's coming, or the t...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The dissension caused by the Gospel:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    I AM COME TO SEND FIRE ON THE EARTH; AND WHAT WILL I, IF IT BE ALREADY KINDLED?...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    THE PEOPLE WARNED AGAINST FALSE LEADERS (vs.1-12) At a time when the crowd was extremely large, the Lord addressed His disciples "first of all," warning them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees,...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    OLBGrk; Some of the ancients here by _fire_ understood the Holy Ghost, or the preaching of the gospel, with those flames of love and holy affections which that causeth in the hearts of good people; bu...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Tertullian Against Marcion Book IV for me to obey, but Him who remunerates? Your Christ proclaims, "I am come to send fire on the earth."[1202] Archelaus Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Luke 12:49 came G2064 (G5627) send G906 (G5629) fire G4442 on G1519 earth G1093 and G2532 how...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    “I have come to cast fire on the earth, and how I wish it was already kindled.” Apart from the problem of translating the last part of the verse, which probably does not affect the meaning of the whol...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE FUTURE WILL NOT ALL BE ROSY (12:49-53). As Jesus contemplates the thought of the punishments which will be inflicted on the various unfaithful servants, it carries His thought forward on to what n...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Luke 12:49. I CAME TO CAST FIRE UPON THE EARTH. This is explained by most, as referring to the gift of the Holy Spirit. This was a baptism (Luke 12:50) with fire, resulting in the ‘division' spoken of...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Luke 12:49-53. Having shown the awful difference between the faithful and unfaithful servant, and the great responsibility resting upon His disciples, our Lord points out that the difference begins he...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    CONTENTS. A continuation of the discourse. Luke 12:35-48 contain exhortations to _watchfulness;_ the difference between the faithful and unfaithful servant suggests a difficulty in the way of faithful...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    THIS division of the Gospel of Luke, embracing nearly one third of the whole, contains for the most part matter peculiar to this Evangelist. A number of the incidents probably belong to an earlier per...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Luke 12:49 There are three main elements, three ruling and inspiring convictions, at the root of missionary enthusiasm. I. Of these, the first is a deep sense of the certainty and importance of the...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jesus warns of leaven of the Pharisees. Parable of the rich fool. Parable of the second coming. Parable of the steward and his servants. Christ, the divider of men. CHARACTERS: Jesus, disci...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Luke 12:1. _There were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people._ The Greek is myriads, or ten thousands of people. Luke 12:5. _Power to cast into hell._ The Greek is Gehenna, as on Isaiah...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    I CAME TO SET THE EARTH ON FIRE. Conflict and persecution would be the effect of preaching the Good News. When Truth is put into the hands of a man, he MUST decide what to do with it! See notes on Mat...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _I am come to send fire on the earth_ THE FIRE OF CONTENTION; OR, THE TROUBLE THAT FOLLOWS THE GOSPEL 1. There may be dissension betwixt the good and the good; and hereof is the devil the author. I...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 12:49 CAST FIRE ON THE EARTH probably refers to the division between believers and unbelievers (vv. Luke 12:51). I have a bapti

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 12 VER. 1. _In the mean time when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people._ The Greek has "the myriads of the multitude." A myriad contains exactly ten thousand, and is...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    VER. 42. _And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward whom his lord shall set over his household to give them their portion of food in due season?_ Christ replied to Peter that He sp...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _I came to came to cast fire on the earth; and what will I, if it is already kindled?_ The Arabic has, "What will I but that it be kindled?" So the Egyptian, Ethiopic, and Persian. It is uncertain whe...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 12:41. THEN PETER SAID.—The high reward promised, rather than the duty enjoined, was in Peter’s thoughts, and involved a certain measure of danger against which Christ warns him....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 12:49. I AM COME.—Rather, “I came” (R.V.). The tense refers to the historical fact of the Incarnation. Note in this the consciousness of pre-existence, as also of a heavenly orig...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION LUKE 12:1 _The Lord_,_ after leaving the Pharisee_'_s house_,_ speaks at great length to a numerous crowd waiting for him_,_ addressing his words principally to his own disciples. _The for...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn in our Bibles to Luke's gospel, chapter 12. We are dealing with the final month in the ministry of Jesus. He has returned to Jerusalem. He will soon be leaving Jerusalem to go down to th...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Isaiah 11:4; Joel 2:30; Joel 2:31; John 11:8; John 12:17;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Fire. A spiritual impulse which shall result in the divisions described in the following verses....

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    I am come to send fire — To spread the fire of heavenly love over all the earth....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Our Saviour in these verses declares what will be the accidental event and effect, but not the natural tendency, of his religion; so that we must distinguish between the intentional aim of Christ's co...

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Old Testament