Luke 12:5
What does Luke 12:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:5 means
Jesus identifies the proper fear: God alone. He speaks plainly of God’s authority not only over life and death but over final judgment—having power to cast into hell. This is not to make His disciples cower, but to give them a truthful horizon. If ultimate accountability belongs to God, then faithfulness to Him outweighs any human threat or approval. Right fear leads to right courage and right priorities. It sobers the heart, awakens repentance, and anchors steadfast obedience. Jesus repeats the command to fear Him, underscoring urgency. He wants disciples to live for God’s verdict, which is eternal, rather than for the passing opinions of men.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But I will make clear to you of whom you are to be in fear: of him who after death has power to send you to hell; yes, truly I say, Have fear of him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but I will show to you, whom ye may fear; Fear him who, after the killing, is having authority to cast to the gehenna; yes, I say to you, Fear ye Him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But I will shew you whom you shall fear: Fear ye him who, after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you: Fear him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But I will shew you whom ye shall fear: Fear him who after he has killed has authority to cast into hell; yea, I say to you, Fear him.
Context
This verse completes the contrast begun in the previous line: don’t fear men who can only kill; fear God who judges eternally. Yet Jesus will immediately temper this with assurances of the Father’s intimate care for small creatures and for His people. The flow sustains both truths at once: God is to be feared for His holiness and trusted for His fatherly kindness. That balance guards against presumption and despair as Jesus soon calls for bold confession.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 5:22
Fear ye not me? saith Jehovah: will ye not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it? and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it.
- Revelation 14:7
and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.
- Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:
- Revelation 15:4
Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all the nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:6
that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.
- Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence; And his children shall have a place of refuge.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 12
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 12.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Covetousness
Covetousness is an excessive desire for possessions or power, often leading to other sins and hindering one's relationship with God.
Topic
Bible Verses About Doubt
The Bible acknowledges the reality of doubt, offering comfort, guidance, and encouragement to those who wrestle with uncertainty.
Topic
Bible Verses About Friendship
Explore how the Bible speaks about friendship, examining its importance, characteristics, and blessings in our lives.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Anxiety Before a Job Interview
Quiet your nerves and walk in with steady steps — six verses to pray on the way.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Forgotten by God
When the prayers feel one-sided — verses for the quiet seasons.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When Prayer Feels Empty
When the words won't come — scripture for the dry prayer life.