Luke 12:51
“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.”
Certainly! Let’s dive into a Bible study on Luke 12:51, as it appears in the King James Version (KJV). Luke 12:51 says:
This verse is part of a larger passage where Jesus is addressing a crowd and teaching them about various aspects of discipleship, faith, and the coming judgment. In this particular verse, Jesus is addressing the misconception that his primary purpose in coming to earth was to bring peace.
To understand the verse in context, it’s helpful to look at the surrounding verses. In Luke 12:49-53 (KJV), Jesus says:
“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 that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Here, Jesus explains that he has come to bring division rather than peace. This statement can be puzzling because in other parts of the Bible, Jesus is referred to as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). However, it’s important to understand that Jesus is not contradicting himself but rather revealing the consequences of his coming and the response of people to his message.
Jesus’ message, the Gospel, brings about a division among people. It confronts individuals with a choice: to accept or reject him. This choice often leads to division within families and communities, as some members may accept Jesus and his teachings, while others may reject them. This division can be emotional, spiritual, and even physical at times.
Jesus’ purpose was not to bring political or worldly peace, but rather to bring about a spiritual transformation and reconciliation between humanity and God. This spiritual transformation may disrupt existing relationships and bring tension as people respond differently to the message of the Gospel.
It’s important to note that the division Jesus speaks of is not his desired outcome, but rather the result of people’s responses to him. Jesus desires unity and reconciliation, but he acknowledges that his teachings and the truth he brings may cause division among those who accept or reject him.
