Luke 12:51

KJV

Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

KJV (with Strong's)

Suppose ye {G1380} that {G3754} I am come {G3854} to give {G1325} peace {G1515} on {G1722} earth {G1093}? I tell {G3004} you {G5213}, Nay {G3780}; but {G235} rather {G2228} division {G1267}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Do you think that I have come to bring peace in the Land? Not peace, I tell you, but division!

Berean Standard Bible

Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division.

American Standard Version

Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 12:51, Jesus challenges the common expectation that His coming would usher in an era of immediate, universal worldly tranquility. Instead, He boldly declares that His mission, far from bringing superficial peace, will inevitably lead to profound division. This striking statement underscores the radical, transformative nature of the Gospel, which demands a decisive response and often creates a stark separation between those who embrace its truth and those who reject it, even within the closest human relationships.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This potent declaration is situated within a larger discourse in Luke 12 where Jesus is preparing His disciples for the challenging realities of following Him. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus speaks of having "come to send fire on the earth" [Luke 12:49](/luke/12-49 "Luke 12:49 - Jesus Sends Fire on Earth") and a "baptism" He must undergo [Luke 12:50](/luke/12-50 "Luke 12:50 - Jesus's Baptism of Suffering"), referring to the intense suffering and death that await Him, which will ultimately bring about a fervent purification and judgment. The "division" He speaks of in [Luke 12:51](/luke/12-51 "Luke 12:51 - Jesus Brings Division") is not His ultimate purpose, but rather an unavoidable consequence of His presence and the truth He embodies. He further illustrates this familial division in [Luke 12:52-53](/luke/12-52-53 "Luke 12:52-53 - Division Within Households"), emphasizing that the Gospel's demands can disrupt even the most fundamental social bonds.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, there was a prevalent expectation that the Messiah would bring about a golden age of peace and prosperity, often understood in political and nationalistic terms, freeing Israel from Roman oppression. Many anticipated a Messiah who would unite the nation and establish a visible, earthly kingdom of peace. Jesus's statement in [Luke 12:51](/luke/12-51 "Luke 12:51 - Jesus Brings Division") directly confronts and redefines these popular messianic expectations, revealing that His kingdom is primarily spiritual and that His peace is not of this world. Furthermore, family bonds were incredibly strong and central to Jewish society, making Jesus's warning about familial division particularly jarring and counter-cultural.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it clarifies the **Nature of Christ's Peace**, distinguishing it from mere worldly tranquility; the peace Jesus offers is a profound spiritual reconciliation with God, as seen in [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith"), which can exist even amidst external turmoil. Secondly, it highlights the **Cost of Discipleship**, emphasizing that following Jesus demands radical commitment, often requiring a prioritization of Him above all else, including family ties, societal norms, and personal comfort. This commitment can naturally lead to friction and separation from those who do not share the same faith or values, as Jesus also teaches in [Matthew 10:37](/matthew/10-37 "Matthew 10:37 - Prioritizing Christ Over Family"). Lastly, the verse underscores the principle that **Truth Divides**. The Gospel, by its very nature, is a message of divine truth that exposes sin and calls for a decisive response. When confronted with this truth, people are forced to make a choice, which can lead to a spiritual and relational divide between believers and non-believers, revealing the transformative and often disruptive power of Christ's message.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Suppose (Greek, _dokéō'_):** This word, meaning "to think" or "to seem," indicates a common perception or expectation held by Jesus's audience. Jesus uses it to directly challenge their preconceived notions about His mission, implying that their current understanding is flawed or incomplete. He is correcting a widespread assumption about the nature of the peace He brings.
* **Peace (Greek, _eirḗnē'_):** While commonly understood as a state of calm, harmony, or prosperity, especially in a worldly sense, Jesus uses this term to contrast it with the immediate reality of His coming. The "peace" He refers to here is the superficial, external peace that many desired, which His radical message would disrupt rather than establish in the short term. It highlights the distinction between human expectations of peace and God's deeper, spiritual peace.
* **Division (Greek, _diamerismós'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to divide thoroughly," this term signifies "disunion (of opinion and conduct)." It points to a profound separation or dissension, not just a minor disagreement. Jesus explicitly states that this is the immediate and unavoidable consequence of His arrival, indicating a fundamental split in allegiance and worldview that His truth will bring about among people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth?"**: Jesus poses a rhetorical question, directly addressing the common misconception among His listeners. He knows that many expect Him to bring an earthly, political peace, perhaps by overthrowing Roman rule or establishing a universally harmonious society. This question sets up the dramatic reversal of their expectations.
* **"I tell you, Nay; but rather division:"**: This is Jesus's emphatic and unequivocal answer. The "Nay" (οὐχί, _ouchí_) is a strong negation, leaving no room for ambiguity. He directly contradicts the popular notion, stating that His immediate impact will be "division." This division is not His ultimate goal, but a necessary and inevitable outcome as His truth forces people to choose between Him and the world, between light and darkness, between His kingdom and earthly allegiances.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:51 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Paradox**, as Jesus, the anticipated "Prince of Peace" [Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace"), declares that His coming will bring "division." This startling juxtaposition forces the audience to re-evaluate their understanding of peace and the Messiah's mission. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in this statement; what was expected to be a unifying event becomes a catalyst for separation. This irony highlights the radical nature of the Gospel, which, while offering ultimate reconciliation, first exposes and separates. Furthermore, the declaration itself can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, particularly when read in conjunction with the subsequent verses about family members being divided [Luke 12:52-53](/luke/12-52-53 "Luke 12:52-53 - Division in Households"). While the division is real, the language emphasizes its pervasive and profound nature, extending even to the most intimate relationships, to underscore the absolute priority of allegiance to Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:51 serves as a crucial theological corrective, challenging a superficial understanding of the Kingdom of God and the nature of Christ's mission. It reveals that the "peace" Jesus offers is not a worldly absence of conflict, but a spiritual reconciliation with God that often comes at the cost of earthly harmony. The Gospel, by its very nature, is a message of truth that exposes sin and calls for a decisive response, inevitably creating a divide between those who embrace it and those who reject it. This division, though painful, is a necessary byproduct of spiritual transformation and the establishment of God's righteous kingdom in a fallen world.

* [Matthew 10:34-36](/matthew/10-34-36 "Matthew 10:34-36 - Jesus Brings a Sword")
* [John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Peace Not as the World Gives")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Sharper Than Any Two-Edged Sword")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 12:51 calls believers to a profound re-evaluation of their expectations regarding Christian life and the impact of the Gospel. It reminds us that following Christ does not guarantee an easy, conflict-free existence, but rather often entails facing opposition and experiencing division, even from those closest to us. True peace is not found in the absence of external strife, but in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ, a peace that can sustain us even amidst turmoil. This verse challenges us to examine our allegiances: are we seeking the world's approval and superficial harmony, or are we committed to the radical truth of the Gospel, even when it leads to uncomfortable separation? It encourages us to cultivate an inner peace that transcends circumstances and to remain steadfast in our faith, understanding that the "division" Jesus speaks of is often an unavoidable consequence of living out the counter-cultural demands of the Kingdom of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do my personal expectations of peace align or conflict with Jesus's statement in Luke 12:51?**
* **In what areas of my life might my commitment to Christ lead to "division" with others, and how am I prepared to navigate that?**
* **How can I cultivate the "peace of God, which transcends all understanding" [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God") even when facing external conflict or relational strain due to my faith?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus's statement in Luke 12:51 contradict His title as the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6) or His promise to give His disciples peace (John 14:27)?**

Answer: No, there is no contradiction. Jesus's declaration in [Luke 12:51](/luke/12-51 "Luke 12:51 - Jesus Brings Division") clarifies the *immediate* and *initial* impact of His coming in a fallen world, not His ultimate purpose or the nature of the peace He offers. The "peace" that Jesus brings is primarily spiritual: reconciliation with God through His atoning sacrifice, as described in [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith"). This peace is an inner state of harmony with God, independent of external circumstances, which He explicitly states is "not as the world gives" [John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Unique Peace"). However, because His truth exposes sin and demands a radical choice, it inevitably creates a divide between those who accept Him and those who reject Him. This division is a necessary consequence of the Gospel's transformative power, separating light from darkness. Ultimately, Jesus *is* the Prince of Peace, bringing true, lasting peace to those who believe, and He will one day establish universal peace in His eternal kingdom [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Pain").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:51, far from diminishing Christ's role as the Prince of Peace, profoundly illuminates the nature of His salvific work. The "division" Jesus speaks of is the necessary consequence of His radical truth confronting a world steeped in sin. He came not to patch up the existing broken systems with superficial harmony, but to fundamentally transform hearts and establish a new kingdom. This division foreshadows the ultimate separation that will occur at the final judgment, where humanity will be divided between those who have accepted the Lamb of God and those who have rejected Him [Matthew 25:31-33](/matthew/25-31-33 "Matthew 25:31-33 - The Sheep and the Goats"). Yet, for those who embrace Him, this initial division leads to the deepest, most profound peace imaginable: peace with God through the blood of His cross [Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood"). Jesus Himself bore the ultimate division from the Father on the cross, crying out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus's Cry of Dereliction"), so that humanity could be reconciled. His suffering and death, the "baptism" He spoke of in [Luke 12:50](/luke/12-50 "Luke 12:50 - Jesus's Baptism of Suffering"), were the means by which true, lasting peace, a peace "that surpasses all understanding" [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God"), became available to all who believe, even if it means experiencing earthly division for His sake.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 10:34

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Matthew 10:36

And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household.

Luke 12:49

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

Zechariah 11:14

Then I cut asunder mine other staff, [even] Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

Zechariah 11:10

And I took my staff, [even] Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.

Zechariah 11:11

And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it [was] the word of the LORD.

Matthew 24:7

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.