Luke 12:32
What does Luke 12:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:32 means
Jesus calls His followers “little flock,” acknowledging their smallness and vulnerability, yet assuring them it is the Father’s good pleasure to give them the kingdom. This tender word fuses affection with promise. The kingdom is a gift, not a prize wrested by anxiety or force. Knowing the Father delights to bestow it frees them from fear and from grasping at lesser securities. Their identity as beloved sheep under a good Shepherd grounds courage. From this security flows the generosity and watchfulness He will soon command.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Have no fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Fear not, little flock, because your Father did delight to give you the reign;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Fear not, little flock, for it has been the good pleasure of your Father to give you the kingdom.
Context
This encouragement follows the charge to seek the kingdom, underscoring that their pursuit is not in vain, because God Himself intends to give what they seek. With fear addressed, Jesus will now call for open-handedness toward others and treasuring in heaven, showing how confidence in the Father’s generosity produces concrete acts of mercy and an eternal perspective.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?
- Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
- Isaiah 40:11
He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young.
- John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
- Matthew 11:25
At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:
- Philippians 2:13
for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
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