49 "I have come to cast fire upon the earth ; and how I wish it were already kindled ! 50 "But I have a baptism to undergo , and how distressed I am until it is accomplished ! 51 " Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth ? I tell you, no , but rather division ; 52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided , three against two and two against three . 53 "They will be divided , father against son and son against father , mother against daughter and daughter against mother , mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law ."
54 And He was also saying to the crowds , " When you see a cloud rising in the west , immediately you say , 'A shower is coming ,' and so it turns out. 55 "And when you see a south wind blowing , you say , 'It will be a hot day,' and it turns out that way. 56 "You hypocrites ! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky , but why do you not analyze this present time ?
57 "And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right ?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 12:49-57
Commentary on Luke 12:41-53
(Read Luke 12:41-53)
All are to take to themselves what Christ says in his word, and to inquire concerning it. No one is left so ignorant as not to know many things to be wrong which he does, and many things to be right which he neglects; therefore all are without excuse in their sin. The bringing in the gospel dispensation would occasion desolations. Not that this would be the tendency of Christ's religion, which is pure, peaceable, and loving; but the effect of its being contrary to men's pride and lusts. There was to be a wide publication of the gospel. But before that took place, Christ had a baptism to be baptized with, far different from that of water and the Holy Spirit. He must endure sufferings and death. It agreed not with his plan to preach the gospel more widely, till this baptism was completed. We should be zealous in making known the truth, for though divisions will be stirred up, and a man's own household may be his foes, yet sinners will be converted, and God will be glorified.
Commentary on Luke 12:54-59
(Read Luke 12:54-59)
Christ would have the people to be as wise in the concerns of their souls as they are in outward affairs. Let them hasten to obtain peace with God before it is too late. If any man has found that God has set himself against him concerning his sins, let him apply to him as God in Christ reconciling the world to himself. While we are alive, we are in the way, and now is our time.