Luke 12:50
What does Luke 12:50 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:50 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:50 means
Jesus speaks of a baptism He must be baptized with and the distress He feels until it is completed. This points to His impending suffering and death, which will immerse Him in judgment for others. He is constrained—not reluctant but eager to fulfill His mission, yet burdened until it is done. The cross is the path to the kingdom’s fire taking effect—both in salvation for believers and in judgment against unbelief. His candor reveals the costliness of redemption and the urgency that drives His ministry.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
KJV
King James Version · 1611But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But there is a baptism which I have to undergo; and how am I kept back till it is complete!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I pressed till it may be completed!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I have a baptism wherewith I am to be baptized. And how am I straitened until it be accomplished?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But I have a baptism to be baptised with, and how am I straitened until it shall have been accomplished!
Context
The mention of fire is followed by the personal cost: Jesus’ own baptism of suffering must precede the mission’s full outworking. With that in view, He will correct any expectation of immediate social tranquility. Instead, His mission will divide people, even in intimate relationships, as some embrace Him and others oppose Him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 20:17
And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples apart, and on the way he said unto them,
- John 4:34
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.
- John 12:27
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.
- Acts 20:22
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
- John 10:39
They sought again to take him: and he went forth out of their hand.
- Psalms 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God; Yea, thy law is within my heart.
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