Luke 12:49–59

NOT PEACE BUT DIVISION

⁴⁹“I came^b to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze! ⁵⁰But I have a baptism to undergo,^c and how it consumes^d me until it is finished!^{e 51}Do you think that I came here to bring peace on the earth?^f No, I tell you, but rather division. ⁵²From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two, and two against three.

⁵³They will be divided, father against son,

son against father,

mother against daughter,

daughter against mother,

mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law,

and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”^Hg

INTERPRETING THE TIME

⁵⁴He also said to the crowds,^h “When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does.^{i 55}And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. ⁵⁶Hypocrites!^j You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this present time?^k

SETTLING ACCOUNTS

⁵⁷“Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?^{l 58}As you are going with your adversary^m to the ruler, make an effort to settle with him on the way. Then he won’t drag you before the judge,ⁿ the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison.^{o 59}I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”^Ap