Luke 12:4

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

And {G1161} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213} my {G3450} friends {G5384}, Be {G5399} not {G3361} afraid {G5399} of them {G575} that kill {G615} the body {G4983}, and {G2532} after {G3326} that {G5023} have {G2192} no {G3361}{G5100} more {G4055} that they can do {G4160}.

“My friends, I tell you: don’t fear those who kill the body but then have nothing more they can do.

I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

Luke 12:4 presents a powerful and comforting directive from Jesus to His disciples, urging them not to succumb to the fear of human adversaries. This verse emphasizes the limited power of those who can only harm the physical body, contrasting it with God's ultimate authority.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse by Jesus to His disciples, preparing them for the challenges and persecutions they would face in their ministry. Preceding this warning, Jesus speaks about the dangers of hypocrisy and the importance of openness in proclaiming the truth. He transitions from warning against hidden sins to encouraging boldness in the face of external threats. The very next verse, Luke 12:5, directly contrasts this limited human power with the profound power of God, urging His followers to fear Him alone.

Key Themes

  • Fear of Man vs. Fear of God: The central message is a stark contrast between human limitations and divine omnipotence. While humans can inflict physical harm, their power ends at the grave. God, however, has power over both body and soul, and eternal destiny. This teaching encourages believers to prioritize their spiritual well-being and eternal destiny over temporary physical safety.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse implicitly highlights God's ultimate control over life and death. No human power can ultimately thwart God's plan or harm a believer beyond what God permits, or beyond the physical realm.
  • Courage in Discipleship: Jesus calls His followers, whom He affectionately addresses as "my friends," to a life of unwavering courage and faithfulness, even in the face of severe opposition or martyrdom. This is a foundational principle for those who choose to follow Him and take up their cross.

Linguistic Insights

The term "friends" (Greek: philoi) used by Jesus here is significant. It underscores the intimate relationship He shares with His disciples and adds a layer of tender concern to His warning. The phrase "kill the body" (Greek: apokteinō to sōma) specifically refers to physical death, emphasizing that human enemies can only harm the earthly vessel, not the eternal soul or spirit. The concluding phrase, "and after that have no more that they can do," powerfully asserts the absolute limit of human power, contrasting sharply with God's limitless authority.

Practical Application

This verse remains profoundly relevant for believers today. In a world where various forms of opposition, ridicule, or even persecution can arise for one's faith, Jesus' words offer immense comfort and strength. They remind us:

  • To not be intimidated by worldly threats or popular opinion when it comes to standing for truth.
  • To place our ultimate trust in God, who has power over all things, rather than fearing what humans can do.
  • To maintain an eternal perspective, understanding that physical life is temporary, but our spiritual destiny is eternal. This encourages boldness in sharing the Gospel, knowing that the worst human enemies can do is temporary.

Similar encouragement to trust God and not fear man is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Psalm 118:6 and Matthew 10:28, which is a parallel account of this very teaching.

Reflection

Luke 12:4 serves as a foundational verse for Christian courage and resilience. It calls believers to fix their gaze not on the temporary power of human adversaries, but on the enduring and ultimate power of God, our Creator and Redeemer. This divine perspective liberates us from the fear of man, enabling us to live boldly for Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 10:28

    And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • Jeremiah 1:8

    Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

  • Philippians 1:28

    And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

  • Revelation 2:10

    Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

  • Isaiah 51:7

    Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart [is] my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.

  • Isaiah 51:13

    And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?

  • 1 Peter 3:14

    But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy [are ye]: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

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