Luke 12:50

But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

But {G1161} I have {G2192} a baptism {G908} to be baptized with {G907}; and {G2532} how {G4459} am I straitened {G4912} till {G2193}{G3739} it be accomplished {G5055}!

I have an immersion to undergo — how pressured I feel till it’s over!

But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!

But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Commentary

Luke 12:50 (KJV) presents a poignant and powerful declaration from Jesus, revealing the depth of His commitment to His divine mission and the immense personal cost involved. This verse serves as a crucial insight into His anticipation of the crucifixion.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse where Jesus speaks about bringing fire upon the earth (Luke 12:49) and the divisions His ministry would cause, even within families (Luke 12:51-53). Immediately after speaking of judgment and division, Jesus turns to His own impending suffering, linking His personal ordeal to the ultimate outcome of His mission. It foreshadows the passion narrative that dominates the latter part of Luke's Gospel as Jesus journeys towards Jerusalem.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Impending Suffering and Sacrifice: The "baptism" here is not water baptism but a profound metaphor for the overwhelming experience of suffering and death that awaited Him on the cross. It speaks directly to His atoning work.
  • Divine Necessity and Purpose: Jesus' suffering was not accidental but a predetermined part of God's redemptive plan for humanity. He willingly embraced this path.
  • Urgency and Resolve: The phrase "how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" expresses Jesus' intense internal pressure, anguish, and eager longing for this crucial event to be fulfilled. It highlights His unwavering commitment despite the agony it entailed.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: His suffering aligns with numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's role as a suffering servant.

Linguistic Insights

The term "baptism" (Greek: baptisma) in this context is used metaphorically. While commonly referring to immersion in water, here it signifies being completely overwhelmed or submerged by an experience, specifically one of immense suffering and death. This usage is paralleled in Mark 10:38-39, where Jesus asks if His disciples can be "baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with."

The word "straitened" (Greek: synecho) is very strong, meaning "to be held together," "to be constrained," "to be pressed in," or "to be in distress." It conveys a sense of intense inner turmoil, a deep yearning for the completion of His mission, and the burden of the great task before Him. It's an expression of His profound anticipation and the spiritual pressure He felt.

Practical Application

Luke 12:50 offers several powerful lessons for believers:

  • Understanding Christ's Sacrifice: It deepens our appreciation for the immense cost and willing heart with which Jesus faced His crucifixion. His suffering was not merely physical but deeply spiritual and emotional.
  • Commitment to God's Will: Jesus' resolve, even when facing unimaginable suffering, serves as a powerful example of unwavering obedience to the Father's will. We are called to similar dedication in our own lives, even when the path is difficult.
  • Facing Trials with Purpose: While our "baptisms" of suffering are not redemptive in the same way Christ's was, this verse reminds us that facing hardship with purpose and a focus on God's ultimate plan can bring a profound sense of resolve and even longing for the completion of His work through us. It encourages us to endure, knowing that God's purposes will be accomplished, as seen in Romans 8:28.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 19:30 (6 votes)

    When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

  • John 12:27 (4 votes)

    Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

  • John 12:28 (4 votes)

    Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, [saying], I have both glorified [it], and will glorify [it] again.

  • Psalms 40:8 (3 votes)

    I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.

  • Matthew 20:17 (3 votes)

    ¶ And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

  • Matthew 20:22 (3 votes)

    But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

  • John 4:34 (3 votes)

    Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.