Luke Chapter 12, Verse 49
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49: πυρ ηλθον βαλειν εις την γην και τι θελω ει ηδη ανηφθη
49: I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be
already kindled?
49: I am come to cast fire on the earth. And what will I, but that it
be kindled?
I am come, &c. The result of my coming will be that there will be
divisions and contentions. He does not mean that he came for that
purpose, or that he sought and desired it; but that such was the
state of the human heart, and such the opposition of men to the truth,
that that would be the effect of his coming. See "Mt 10:34".
Fire. Fire, here, is the emblem of discord and contention, and consequently of calamities. Thus it is used in Ps 6612 Isa 43:2. And what will I, &c. This passage might be better expressed in this manner:
"And what would I, but that it were kindled. Since it is necessary for the advancement of religion that such divisions should take place; since the gospel cannot be established without conflicts, and strifes, and hatreds, I am even desirous that they should come. Since the greatest blessing which mankind can receive must be attended with such unhappy divisions, I am willing, nay, desirous that they should come."
He did not wish evil in itself; but, as it was the occasion of good, he was desirous, if it must take place, that it should take place soon.
