Luke 12:52
What does Luke 12:52 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:52 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:52 means
From now on, in one house five will be divided—three against two and two against three. Jesus portrays the fragmentation that occurs when allegiance to Him cuts across natural bonds. The numbers emphasize mutual opposition; division is not one-sided. The gospel compels decisions that reconfigure relationships. This is not a call to strife but a realistic forecast of the clash between the kingdom and entrenched unbelief. Disciples must be prepared for this painful reality as they follow Christ faithfully.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For from this time, a family of five in one house will be on opposite sides, three against two and two against three.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for there shall be henceforth five in one house divided--three against two, and two against three;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided: three against two, and two against three.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided; three shall be divided against two, and two against three:
Context
Having declared that His coming brings division rather than immediate peace, Jesus specifies the family unit as the place where the divide may be most acute. The next verse will make the generational conflicts explicit—father and son, mother and daughter, in-law tensions—highlighting the costliness of loyalty to Jesus amid intimate ties.
v.51Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
v.52This passage
v.53They shall be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 13:43
Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
- John 9:16
Some therefore of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them.
- Micah 7:5
Trust ye not in a neighbor; put ye not confidence in a friend; keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.
- John 15:18
If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you.
- John 10:19
There arose a division again among the Jews because of these words.
- John 16:2
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
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