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James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 12:50

But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.The path laid out for Jesus was extremely narrow and difficult. On the one hand, his was the task of convincing all men that he is King of kings and Lord of lords; and, on the other hand, this had to be done in such a manner as to frustrate Satan's purpose of getting our Lord killed as a seditionist. The skill and genius by which Jesus negotiated this narrow path have ever been the marvel of all who... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 12:49

Luke 12:49. 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 what will I, if it be already kindled?— τι θελω,— what wish I. "Do I wish to escape that fire myself, if it be already kindled?" The fire that our Lord here speaks of, as the effect of his coming, being the fire of divisionandpersecution, it was already kindled, and about to seize... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 12:50

Luke 12:50. But I have a baptism, &c.— "But I have indeed, in the mean time; a most dreadful baptism to be baptized with, and know that I shall shortly be baptized as it were in blood, and plunged in the most overwhelming distress;" (see on Matthew 20:23.) "Yet how am I straitened [συνεχομαι ] and uneasy, through the earnestness of my desire, till, terrible as it is, it be fully completed, and the glorious birth produced, whatever agonies may lie in the way to it." See 2 Corinthians 5:14.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:49

49-53. to send—cast. fire—"the higher spiritual element of life which Jesus came to introduce into this earth (compare Matthew 3:11), with reference to its mighty effects in quickening all that is akin to it and destroying all that is opposed. To cause this element of life to take up its abode on earth, and wholly to pervade human hearts with its warmth, was the lofty destiny of the Redeemer" [OLSHAUSEN: so CALVIN, STIER, ALFORD, c.]. what will I, &c.—an obscure expression, uttered under... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 12:50

50. But . . . a baptism, c.—clearly, His own bloody baptism, first to take place. how . . . straitened—not, "how do I long for its accomplishment," as many understand it, thus making it but a repetition of :- but "what a pressure of spirit is upon Me." till it be accomplished—till it be over. Before a promiscuous audience, such obscure language was fit on a theme like this; but oh, what surges of mysterious emotion in the view of what was now so near at hand does it reveal! read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:49-50

In view of the context Jesus’ reference to fire must be as a symbol of judgment primarily rather than purification, its other common signification in Scripture. He had just spoken of judging unfaithful disciples (Luke 12:45-48). Now He explained that one of the purposes of His incarnation was to bring judgment to the earth (cf. Luke 3:16). Perhaps Jesus wished this aspect of His ministry was taking place already because it would result in the purification of His people and would usher in the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:49-53

Division over Jesus 12:49-53 (cf. Matthew 10:34-36)Jesus addressed these words to His disciples primarily (cf. Luke 12:41-42). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 12:49-59

5. The coming distress 12:49-59Jesus’ teaching on the same occasion continued. He clarified next that His disciples could anticipate a period of intense persecution. This is the reason He charged them to be faithful (Luke 12:41-48)."In Luke 12:49 to Luke 14:24, Jesus is calling on his audience to note the nature of the time-a time when God is making divisions among people, a time when people should be able to see what God is doing through Jesus, and a time when Israel had better respond before... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:1-59

The Leaven of the Pharisees. The Rich Fool1-12. Jesus warns His followers against Pharisaic hypocrisy, and exhorts them to be courageous in face of opposition. This speech is not unsuitable to the context in St. Luke, but the whole of the sayings are found also in St. Matthew’s Gospel, generally in a more natural connexion (mostly in the charge to the Twelve, Luke 10:5-42). Perhaps St. Luke here groups together savings spoken at different times.1. When there were] RV ’when the many thousands of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 12:49

(49) 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, and who at once feels its terrors and yet accepts them. The fire which He came to send is the fire of judgment which shall burn up the chaff (see Note on Matthew 3:12), the baptism of fire which shall purify and cleanse as well as destroy. The Son of Man knew that this, with all its terrors, was... read more

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