I have come
This phrase signifies the intentionality and purpose of Jesus' mission. In the Greek, "ἦλθον" (ēlthon) is used, which is a form of the verb "erchomai," meaning "to come" or "to arrive." This indicates a deliberate action, emphasizing that Jesus' presence on earth is not accidental but part of a divine plan. Historically, this reflects the Messianic expectation that the Jews held, anticipating a savior who would fulfill God's promises.

to ignite a fire
The imagery of fire is powerful and multifaceted in biblical literature. The Greek word "πῦρ" (pyr) is used here, which can symbolize purification, judgment, or the presence of God. In the Old Testament, fire often represents God's holiness and His refining power (e.g., Malachi 3:2-3). Jesus' mission involves bringing a transformative force that purifies and refines humanity, separating the righteous from the unrighteous. This fire can also be seen as the spread of the Gospel, igniting hearts with the truth of God's word.

on the earth
This phrase underscores the global scope of Jesus' mission. The Greek word "γῆ" (gē) refers to the earth or land, indicating that the impact of Jesus' coming is not limited to a specific region or people but is intended for all of humanity. This aligns with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), where Jesus commands His disciples to spread His teachings to all nations, highlighting the universal nature of His message.

and how I wish
The expression of desire here is significant. The Greek word "θέλω" (thelō) conveys a strong wish or will. It reveals Jesus' deep longing for the fulfillment of His mission. This reflects His passion and commitment to God's redemptive plan, as well as His anticipation of the transformative work that His presence and message will accomplish.

it were already kindled!
The phrase "already kindled" uses the Greek word "ἀνήφθη" (anēphthē), which means "to be kindled" or "to be set on fire." This suggests an eagerness for the immediate realization of His mission's effects. The urgency in Jesus' words reflects His awareness of the necessity of His work and the impending challenges and divisions it will bring. Historically, this can be seen in the early church's rapid growth and the spread of Christianity, which indeed set the world ablaze with the message of Christ.

(49) I am come to send fire on the earth.--There is a strange unique abruptness in the utterance. We are compelled to assume a pause, a moment's thought, as in one whose gaze looks out into the future, and who at once feels its terrors and yet accepts them. The fire which He came to send is the fire of judgment which shall burn up the chaff (see Note on Matthew 3:12), the baptism of fire which shall purify and cleanse as well as destroy. The Son of Man knew that this, with all its terrors, was what He came to work. If the fire was already kindled, if judgment was already passed upon the unfaithful stewards and the servants who knew their Lord's will and did it not, why should He wish to check it? What other wish or will was right for Him than that it should complete what it had begun, even though it brought not peace, but a sword--not union, but division?

Verse 49. - I am come to send fire on the earth. It is still the same train of thought that the Master pursues - a train which had been only slightly diverted by Peter's question. The text, so to speak, of the whole discourse was "the strange attraction which riches possess for men, and the palsying effect which this attraction, when yielded to, exercises over the whole life." The Master's argument was as follows: "Beware of covetousness; let your attachment to earthly possessions sit very lightly on you all; and as for you, my disciples, do you have nothing to do with these perishable goods." And here, with an abrupt solemnity, probably the voice changing here, and ringing with an awful emotion, he enforces his charge to the disciples with the words, "I am come to send fire on the earth." "My stern, sad work is to inaugurate a mighty struggle, to cast a firebrand on the earth. Lo, my presence will stir up men - you will see this in a way none now dream of; a vast convulsion will rend this people asunder. In the coming days of war and tumult, what have you, my disciples, who will be in the forefront of this movement, - what have you to do with earthly goods? Toss them away from you as useless baggage. The pioneers of the army of the future, surely they must be unencumbered in the war, which is about to break out; for remember, 'I am come to send fire on the earth.'" And what will I, if it be already kindled? better rendered, how I would that it had been already kindled! That is to say, "How I wish that this fire were already burning!" (so Olshausen, De Wette, Bleek, and Farrar). Through all the woe, however, the Redeemer could see, shining as it were through a dark cloud, the unspeakable glory and blessedness of his work. But this fire could not be kindled into a flame until something had happened. The cross must be endured by him; till then his work was not finished; and in his pure human nature - it is with stammering tongue and trembling pen we speak or write here - he felt, we believe, the bitter stinging pain of dread expectation of what was coming. With this onlook he was weighed down, we know, at times; witness especially the Gethsemane agony. He goes on to say -

Parallel Commentaries ...


I have come
ἦλθον (ēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to ignite
βαλεῖν (balein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.

a fire
Πῦρ (Pyr)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4442: Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth,
γῆν (gēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

how
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

I wish
θέλω (thelō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

it were already kindled!
ἀνήφθη (anēphthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 381: To kindle, set on fire, light. From ana and hapto; to enkindle.


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NT Gospels: Luke 12:49 I came to throw fire (Luke Lu Lk)