The Meaning of Luke 12:49 Explained

Luke 12:49

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

YLT: 'Fire I came to cast to the earth, and what will I if already it was kindled?

Darby: I have come to cast a fire on the earth; and what will I if already it has been kindled?

ASV: I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Luke 12:49 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 12:49-59 - The Great Divider
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, first, He had to pass through a baptism of tears and blood. He was under pressure to enter it, because impatient to get through with it. Here was the prelude of Calvary. And what was true of our Lord must be true of His Church. Always the sword, always strife, always division, where the gospel begins to ferment like leaven in human hearts.
The signs of the time pointed to a climax of Hebrew history, for which most of His contemporaries were unprepared. The sands in God's hour-glass were running out. This was the great requirement of the hour-get right with God. The warning is applicable to us all, but it was specially spoken of the brief interval which, like the silence that precedes a thunder storm, preceded the fall of Jerusalem. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 12

1  Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy
13  and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns
22  We must not worry about earthly things,
31  but seek the kingdom of God;
33  give alms;
35  be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes
41  Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges,
49  and look for persecution
54  The people must take this time of grace;
57  because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation

Greek Commentary for Luke 12:49

I came to cast fire [Πυρ ηλτον 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). [source]
And what will I, if it is already kindled? [και τι τελω ει ηδη ανηπτη]
It is not clear what this passage means. Probably τι — ti is be taken in the sense of “how” How I wish. Then ει — ei can be taken as equal to οτι — hoti How I wish that it were already kindled. Ανηπτη — Anēphthē is first aorist passive of αναπτω — anaptō 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. [source]
Fire []
A spiritual impulse which shall result in the divisions described in the following verses. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 12:49

Luke 9:51 That he should be received up [της αναλημπσεως αυτου]
Literally, “of his taking up.” It is an old word (from Hippocrates on), but here alone in the N.T. It is derived from αναλαμβανω — analambanō (the verb used of the Ascension, Acts 1:2, Acts 1:11, Acts 1:22; 1 Timothy 3:16) and refers here to the Ascension of Jesus after His Resurrection. Not only in John‘s Gospel (John 17:5) does Jesus reveal a yearning for a return to the Father, but it is in the mind of Christ here as evidently at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:31) and later in Luke 12:49.He steadfastly set his face (αυτος το προσωπον εστηρισεν — autos to prosōpon estērisen). Note emphatic αυτος — autos he himself, with fixedness of purpose in the face of difficulty and danger. This look on Christ‘s face as he went to his doom is noted later in Mark 10:32. It is a Hebraistic idiom (nine times in Ezekiel), this use of face here, but the verb (effective aorist active) is an old one from στηριζω — stērizō (from στηριγχ — stērigx a support), to set fast, to fix.To go to Jerusalem Genitive infinitive of purpose. Luke three times mentions Christ making his way to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51; Luke 13:22; Luke 17:11) and John mentions three journeys to Jerusalem during the later ministry (John 7:10; John 11:17; John 12:1). It is natural to take these journeys to be the same in each of these Gospels. Luke does not make definite location of each incident and John merely supplements here and there. But in a broad general way they seem to correspond. [source]
Acts 28:2 Showed us [παρειχαν]
Imperfect active of παρεχω — parechō with αν — ̇an instead of ον — ̇on as ειχαν — eichan in Mark 8:7 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 339). It was their habit on this occasion, Luke means, they kept on showing. No common kindness (ου την τυχουσαν πιλαντρωπιαν — ou tēn tuchousan philanthrōpian). The old word πιλαντρωπια — philanthrōpia (πιλος — philos αντρωπος — anthrōpos), love of mankind, occurs in the N.T. only here and Titus 3:4 (adverb in Acts 27:3). See note on Acts 19:11 for this use of ου την τυχουσαν — ou tēn tuchousan “not the kindness that happens every day.” They were not “wreckers” to take advantage of the calamity. They kindled a fire The only N.T. example and Acts 28:3 of the old word πυρα — pura (from πυρ — pur fire), a pile of burning fuel (sticks). First aorist active participle of απτω — haptō to set fire to, to kindle. Cf. αναπτω — anaptō in Luke 12:49. Received us all (προσελαβοντο παντας ημας — proselabonto pantas hēmās). Second aorist middle (indirect indicative of προσλαμβανω — proslambanō They took us all to themselves (cf. Acts 18:26). The present Second perfect active participle (intransitive) of επιστημι — ephistēmi “the rain that stood upon them” (the pouring rain). Only in Luke and Paul in N.T. [source]
Acts 28:2 They kindled a fire [απσαντες πυραν]
The only N.T. example and Acts 28:3 of the old word πυρα — pura (from πυρ — pur fire), a pile of burning fuel (sticks). First aorist active participle of απτω — haptō to set fire to, to kindle. Cf. αναπτω — anaptō in Luke 12:49. Received us all (προσελαβοντο παντας ημας — proselabonto pantas hēmās). Second aorist middle (indirect indicative of προσλαμβανω — proslambanō They took us all to themselves (cf. Acts 18:26). The present Second perfect active participle (intransitive) of επιστημι — ephistēmi “the rain that stood upon them” (the pouring rain). Only in Luke and Paul in N.T. [source]
1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit []
Since he is the inspirer of prayer, and the bestower of all gifts of grace on the Church. Comp. Ephesians 4:30. The operation of the Spirit is set forth under the image of fire in Matthew 3:11; Luke 12:49; Acts 2:3, Acts 2:4. The reference here is to the work of the Spirit generally, and not specially to his inspiration of prayer or prophecy. [source]
2 Timothy 1:6 Stir up [ἀναζωπυρεῖν]
N.T.olxx, (Genesis 45:27; Luke href="/desk/?q=lu+12:49&sr=1">Luke 12:49; James 3:5. It is not necessary to assume that Timothy's zeal had become cold. [source]
2 Timothy 1:6 I put thee in remembrance [αναμιμνησκω]
Old compound to remind (1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 7:15). That thou stir up (σε αναζωπυρειν — se anazōpurein). Present active infinitive of αναζωπυρεω — anazōpureō old double compound (ανα — ana and ζωπυρον — zōpuron live coal, ζωος — zōos and πυρ — pur then the bellows for kindling), to rekindle, to stir into flame, to keep blazing (continuous action, present time), only here in N.T. See note on 1 Thessalonians 5:19 for the figure of fire concerning the Holy Spirit. See αναπτω — anaptō in Luke 12:49. The gift of God See note on 1 Timothy 4:14. Here Paul says μου — mou (my), there he mentions the presbytery. Paul felt a deep personal interest in Timothy. See note on 1 Corinthians 7:7; Romans 6:23; Romans 11:29 for the gift of God. [source]
2 Timothy 1:6 That thou stir up [σε αναζωπυρειν]
Present active infinitive of αναζωπυρεω — anazōpureō old double compound (ανα — ana and ζωπυρον — zōpuron live coal, ζωος — zōos and πυρ — pur then the bellows for kindling), to rekindle, to stir into flame, to keep blazing (continuous action, present time), only here in N.T. See note on 1 Thessalonians 5:19 for the figure of fire concerning the Holy Spirit. See αναπτω — anaptō in Luke 12:49. [source]
James 3:5 Boasteth great things [μεγαλα αυχει]
Present active indicative of αυχεω — aucheō old verb, here only in N.T. The best MSS. here separate μεγαλα — megala from αυχεω — aucheō though μεγαλαυχεω — megalaucheō does occur in Aeschylus, Plato, etc. Μεγαλα — Megala is in contrast with μικρον — mikron much - how small The same relative form for two indirect questions together, “What-sized fire kindles what-sized forest?” For double interrogatives see Mark 15:24. The verb αναπτω — anaptei is present active indicative of υλην — anaptō to set fire to, to kindle (Luke 12:49, only other N.T. example except some MSS. in Acts 28:2). αναπτει — Hulēn is accusative case, object of anaptei and occurs here only in N.T., though old word for forest, wood. Forest fires were common in ancient times as now, and were usually caused by small sparks carelessly thrown. [source]
Revelation 8:5 Cast it into the earth []
See Ezekiel 10:2; Luke 12:49. [source]
Revelation 8:5 Filled [εγεμισεν]
He drops back to the narrative use of the first aorist active indicative of γεμιζω — gemizō the fire Second aorist active indicative of βαλλω — ballō See Genesis 19:24 (Sodom); Ezekiel 10:2 and Christ‘s bold metaphor in Luke 12:49. See this use of βαλλω — ballō also in Revelation 8:7; Revelation 12:4, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 12:13; Revelation 14:19.Followed Came to pass naturally after the casting of fire on the earth. Same three elements in Revelation 4:5, but in different order (lightnings, voices, thunders), lightning naturally preceding thunder as some MSS. have it here. Perhaps πωναι — phōnai the voices of the storm (wind, etc.). [source]
Revelation 8:5 Cast [εβαλεν]
Second aorist active indicative of βαλλω — ballō See Genesis 19:24 (Sodom); Ezekiel 10:2 and Christ‘s bold metaphor in Luke 12:49. See this use of βαλλω — ballō also in Revelation 8:7; Revelation 12:4, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 12:13; Revelation 14:19. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 12:49 mean?

Fire I came to cast upon the earth and how I wish if already it be kindled
Πῦρ ἦλθον βαλεῖν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ τί θέλω εἰ ἤδη ἀνήφθη

Πῦρ  Fire 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πῦρ  
Sense: fire.
ἦλθον  I  came 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
βαλεῖν  to  cast 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: βάλλω 
Sense: to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls.
ἐπὶ  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
γῆν  earth 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
τί  how 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τίς  
Sense: who, which, what.
θέλω  I  wish 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: θέλω  
Sense: to will, have in mind, intend.
ἤδη  already 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἤδη  
Sense: now, already.
ἀνήφθη  it  be  kindled 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀνάπτω  
Sense: to light up, kindle.