Hi Joynetters, This passage is one of the more difficult passages to accept if you read it literally at face value. Even the fundamentalists are a bit wary about speaking abt this passage.. We shouldnt read this passage alone.. we should read from versus 49-53 together.. then the real meaning comes out.
here it is.. 49 "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! 50 There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 >From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." we always call jesus the prince of peace and here he is doing the unexpected.. Here he is saying that he hasnt come to bring peace.!!! But then what is this peace that he is talking about.. Remember that the Hebrew language has very few words , hence many words convey different meanings in different contexts.. For e.g the other troublesome passage is .." ....Hate your father and mother.." which is in stark contrast to the commandment." honour your father and mother" The crucial word here is hate which in this context means " not to prefer". they didnt have a word in hebrew for prefer so they used the word for hate. Jesus is saying prefer me to your parents.. I should be first always ;they can be next.. Let us realise that we are using an english bible.. The hebrew was remembered and written in Greek, then translated to latin, then translated to old english and now is available in modern english. So the english translates it word for word as hate.. In the same way in our passage the word Peace can mean the harmony that exists in families and in communities. Jesus is saying that the message he is bringing is so radical that it will even divide families( which is the most united among all groups) into those who accept and those who reject this message. this is the comment the NAB bible adds as a footnote to this passage. "Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom is a refining and purifying fire. His message that meets with acceptance or rejection will be a source of conflict and dissension even within families." This is the meaning of this passage and it is true since we have seen it happen all over the world for the last 2000 years even among some members in our very own joynet.. Love and Prayers Ravi --- Sebastian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dear All, > > Can one of you please explain what these phrases > really mean > > "They will be divided, father against son and son > against father, mother against daughter and daughter > against mother, mother-in-law against > daughter-in-law > and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." -Luke > 12:53 > > Regards > Sebastian > Everything you'll ever need on one web page > from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts > http://uk.my.yahoo.com > > =============================================================================== > This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth > mailing list. > For more info on the list visit > http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet > To unsubscribe from the list send a mail to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To subscribe to the list visit > http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet/join > In case of any issue related to the mailing list > contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > =============================================================================== Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com =============================================================================== This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. For more info on the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet To unsubscribe from the list send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet/join In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ===============================================================================
