Luke 12:49–59

Jesus the Cause of Division

⁴⁹“I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze! ⁵⁰I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!^{* 51}Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!^{* 52}From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; ⁵³they will be divided:

father against son

and son against father,

mother against daughter

and daughter against mother,

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

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

Interpreting the Time

⁵⁴He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain,’ and so it happens.^{* 55}And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens.^{* 56}You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?^*

Settling with Your Opponent

⁵⁷“And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? ⁵⁸Thus when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to reach a settlement,^g or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison.^{* 59}I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”^*