Luke 12:53
The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Original Language Analysis
διαμερισθήσεται
shall be divided
G1266
διαμερισθήσεται
shall be divided
Strong's:
G1266
Word #:
1 of 26
to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension)
πατρί
The father
G3962
πατρί
The father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
2 of 26
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
3 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
υἱὸς
the son
G5207
υἱὸς
the son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
4 of 26
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
υἱὸς
the son
G5207
υἱὸς
the son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
6 of 26
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
πατρί
The father
G3962
πατρί
The father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
8 of 26
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
μητρί·
the mother
G3384
μητρί·
the mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
9 of 26
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
θυγάτηρ
the daughter
G2364
θυγάτηρ
the daughter
Strong's:
G2364
Word #:
11 of 26
a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θυγάτηρ
the daughter
G2364
θυγάτηρ
the daughter
Strong's:
G2364
Word #:
13 of 26
a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
μητρί·
the mother
G3384
μητρί·
the mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
15 of 26
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νύμφη
daughter in law
G3565
νύμφη
daughter in law
Strong's:
G3565
Word #:
19 of 26
a young married woman (as veiled), including a betrothed girl; by implication, a son's wife
αὐτῆς
G846
αὐτῆς
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
νύμφη
daughter in law
G3565
νύμφη
daughter in law
Strong's:
G3565
Word #:
22 of 26
a young married woman (as veiled), including a betrothed girl; by implication, a son's wife
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
23 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Historical Context
The mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship was particularly significant in patriarchal culture where brides joined husband's household under mother-in-law's authority. Division here indicated complete household fracture. Jesus's enumeration covers multiple generations and marriage relationships—comprehensive family breakdown over allegiance to him.
Questions for Reflection
- What family relationships have been tested or broken by your Christian faith?
- How do you maintain gospel witness to family members who oppose your faith without compromising truth or relationship?
- Does your Christianity cost you anything in family dynamics, or have you accommodated faith to avoid conflict?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law (διαμερισθήσονται πατὴρ ἐπὶ υἱῷ καὶ υἱὸς ἐπὶ πατρί, μήτηρ ἐπὶ θυγατέρα καὶ θυγάτηρ ἐπὶ τὴν μητέρα, πενθερὰ ἐπὶ τὴν νύμφην αὐτῆς καὶ νύμφη ἐπὶ τὴν πενθεράν)—Jesus enumerates specific family divisions: parent/child, mother/daughter, in-laws. The repetition emphasizes comprehensiveness—no relationship immune from gospel division. The preposition epi (against) indicates active opposition, not mere disagreement.
This catalog of fractured relationships demonstrates the gospel's radical demand for ultimate allegiance. Christ requires priority over the most sacred human bonds. This isn't hatred of family but recognition that following Jesus may cost family approval, inheritance, even relationship. Discipleship demands willingness to lose everything for Christ.