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.

LUKE 12:53KJV
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Luke 12:53 (KJV)

What does Luke 12:53 mean?

Luke 12:53 means that following Jesus can cause deep divisions even within families, with close relatives turning against each other because of differing beliefs about him. Jesus is warning that his message will not always bring peace, but sometimes conflict, even among those who are usually closest.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and a gathered crowd, explaining the disruptive impact his coming will have on social and family relationships. The verse lists specific family pairs—father and son, mother and daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law—to show that the division caused by allegiance to him can cut through the most intimate bonds. This teaching comes as part of a larger conversation about the cost and seriousness of following Jesus.

The Greek behind Luke 12:53

  • διχασθήσονται (dichasthēsontai, "shall be divided"): This word means to be split apart or separated into opposing sides. It highlights that the division Jesus describes is not just disagreement, but a real and sometimes painful separation.
  • ἐπὶ (epi, "against"): This preposition means "against" or "upon," emphasizing direct opposition between family members, not just a passive difference of opinion.
  • πατήρ (patēr, "father"), υἱός (huios, "son"), μήτηρ (mētēr, "mother"), θυγάτηρ (thygatēr, "daughter"), πενθερά (penthera, "mother-in-law"), νύμφη (nymphē, "daughter-in-law"): The specific naming of these relationships shows that the division Jesus speaks of can affect every generation and every type of family connection.

Why Luke 12:53 matters

  • Luke 12:53 clears up the common misunderstanding that Jesus only brings peace and harmony; here, he openly acknowledges that his message can create conflict, even in families.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of choosing to follow Jesus, showing that it may require enduring opposition from those closest to you.
  • In the wider passage, this statement helps set the tone for Jesus’ teaching about the cost of discipleship and the need for personal commitment, even when it leads to difficult consequences.

Where else these words appear

“law” Greek G3994 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 8:14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.
  • Matthew 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
  • Mark 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

“law” Greek G3565 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
  • Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
  • Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

“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.

“daughter” Greek G2364 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
  • Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
  • Luke 8:49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.