SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:49
Fuego vine a meter en la tierra; ¿y qu quiero, sino que se encienda?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Luke 12:49
Verse 49. I am come to send fire] See this subject largely explained on Matt. x. 34, &c. From the connection in which these words stand, both in this place and in Matthew, it appears as if our Lord intended by the word fire, not only the consuming influence of the Roman sword, but also the influence of his own Spirit in the destruction of sin. In both these senses this fire was already kindled: as yet, however, it appeared but as a spark, but was soon to break out into an all-consuming flame.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 49. I am come to send fire on the earth , etc.] Meaning either the Gospel, which is as fire, that gives both light and heat, warms the hearts of God's people, and causes them to burn within them; though very distressing and torturing to wicked men; so the word of God is compared to fire, in ( Jeremiah 20:9 23:29). Or else zeal for it, and which would be opposed with sharp contentions by others; or rather persecution for the sake of the Gospel, called sometimes the fiery trial; which tries men, as gold is tried in the fire, what they are, and what their principles and profession be; unless the Holy Ghost, and baptizing with him, and with fire, should be meant; since Christ in the next verse, speaks of the baptism of his sufferings, which that was to follow: and what will I ? what shall I say concerning this fire? what shall I wish and pray for? what would be pleasing and agreeable to me? even this, if it be already kindled ; or that it were already kindled, or O that it were already kindled; meaning either that the Gospel was warmly preached by his disciples, and zealously defended by them, as it was after his death and resurrection; or that hot persecution was raised against it which was now beginning, since the advantage of it would be far greater than the evil in it: or that the Holy Ghost was come down in cloven tongues, like as of fire.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 man 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 bringin in the gospel dispensation would occasion desolations. Not that thi 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 an lusts. There was to be a wide publication of the gospel. But befor that took place, Christ had a baptism to be baptized with, fa different from that of water and the Holy Spirit. He must endur sufferings and death. It agreed not with his plan to preach the gospe more widely, till this baptism was completed. We should be zealous i making known the truth, for though divisions will be stirred up, and man's own household may be his foes, yet sinners will be converted, an God will be glorified.
Greek Textus Receptus
πυρ 4442 N-ASN ηλθον 2064 5627 V-2AAI-1S βαλειν 906 5629 V-2AAN εις 1519 PREP την 3588 T-ASF γην 1093 N-ASF και 2532 CONJ τι 5101 I-ASN θελω 2309 5719 V-PAI-1S ει 1487 COND ηδη 2235 ADV ανηφθη 381 5681 V-API-3S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
49. Fire. A spiritual impulse which shall result in the divisions described in the following verses.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:49 {I came to cast fire} (pur elqon balein). Suddenly Jesus lets the volcano in his own heart burst forth. The fire was already burning. "Christ came to set the world on fire, and the conflagration had already begun" (Plummer). The very passion in Christ's heart would set his friends on fire and his foes in opposition as we have just seen (#Lu 11:53f.). It is like the saying of Jesus that he came to bring not peace, but a sword, to bring cleavage among men (#Mt 10:34-36). {And what will I, if it is already kindled?} (kai ti qelw ei ede anefqe;). It is not clear what this passage means. Probably ti is be taken in the sense of "how" (pws). How I wish. qen ei can be taken as equal to hoti. How I wish that it were already kindled. anefqe is first aorist passive of anaptw, to set fire to, to kindle, to make blaze. Probably Luke means the conflagration to come by his death on the Cross for he changes the figure and refers to that more plainly.
