Luke 12:5
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Luke 12:5
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Chapter Context
Luke 12 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of discipleship, fellowship, faith. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-59: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 12:5
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Analysis
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell—Having minimized fear of man, Jesus maximizes fear of God. The verb hypodeixō (ὑποδείξω, I will forewarn/show) indicates solemn warning. The one to fear is He who after killing has power to cast into hell (μετὰ τὸ ἀποκτεῖναι ἔχοντα ἐξουσίαν ἐμβαλεῖν εἰς τὴν γέενναν). The word geenna (γέεννα, Gehenna) derives from the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem where child sacrifices occurred (2 Kings 23:10) and later became the city's garbage dump with continuously burning fires—Jesus' consistent metaphor for eternal judgment.
The emphatic repetition—yea, I say unto you, Fear him—underscores urgency. The fear commanded here is not terror that drives away but reverence that draws near, not servile dread but filial awe. Yet it remains genuine fear—recognition of God's absolute power over eternal destiny. Human authorities control temporary physical existence; God controls eternal spiritual existence. The one who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28) deserves infinitely greater fear than those who can merely kill the body. This is the calculus that makes martyrdom rational: better to fear God and suffer temporary human harm than fear man and suffer eternal divine judgment.
Historical Context
Gehenna's imagery was vivid to Jesus' Jewish audience. The Valley of Hinnom (Ge-Hinnom in Hebrew) was Jerusalem's garbage dump where fires burned continually, consuming refuse and corpses. Its association with pagan child sacrifice to Molech made it a symbol of divine judgment. Jesus used Gehenna repeatedly to describe hell's finality and horror (Matthew 5:22, 29-30; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43-47). First-century Jews understood this fear of God—Proverbs 1:7 declares "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." The early church maintained this healthy fear of God (Acts 5:5, 11; 9:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11), which grounded their boldness before human authorities. When God is feared rightly, all lesser fears fade.
Reflection
- How does proper fear of God actually liberate us from unhealthy fear of man and circumstances?
- What is the difference between the fear of God that draws us to Him and the fear that drives us away?
- How should the doctrine of hell shape Christian witness and evangelistic urgency without producing manipulative fear tactics?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Psalms 9:17, Proverbs 14:26, Matthew 10:28, 25:41, 1 Thessalonians 4:6, Hebrews 10:31