For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

LUKE 12:52KJV
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Luke 12:52 (KJV)

What does Luke 12:52 mean?

Luke 12:52 means that from this point forward, even families living together in one house will be divided, with three people set against two and two against three. Jesus is saying that his message will bring division, even among close family members.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and the surrounding crowd. He is warning them that following him will not always bring peace, but may instead cause conflict, even within families. The verse uses the example of a household of five people split into opposing groups to show how deep and personal these divisions can be.

The Greek behind Luke 12:52

  • The word for "divided" (διαμερισθήσονται, diameristhēsontai) means to be split or separated into parts. This highlights that the division Jesus describes is not just disagreement, but a real separation within relationships.
  • The phrase "in one house" (ἐν ἑνὶ οἴκῳ, en heni oikō) emphasizes that this division happens even in the closest living situations, not just among strangers or distant acquaintances.
  • The numbers "five" (πέντε, pente), "three" (τρεῖς, treis), and "two" (δύο, dyo) are used to paint a specific, relatable picture of a household split into uneven sides, making the warning more vivid and concrete.

Why Luke 12:52 matters

  • Luke 12:52 clears up the common misunderstanding that Jesus only brings peace; here, he openly says his coming will sometimes cause division, even among loved ones.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of choosing to follow Jesus, showing that it can have real, difficult consequences for personal relationships.
  • This statement connects to the surrounding passage, where Jesus prepares his followers for the challenges and costs of discipleship, making clear that loyalty to him may set people at odds with those closest to them.

Where else these words appear

“divided” Greek G1266 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
  • Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
  • Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

“five” Greek G4002 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 14:17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
  • Luke 1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

“three” Greek G5140 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
  • Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
  • Acts 28:17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

“house” Greek G3624 · used in 106 verses

  • Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,(then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
  • Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
  • Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;