“Now I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.
Parallel translations
- WEB “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
- KJV And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
- BSB I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- NKJV “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
- NLT “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus, calling His disciples 'friends,' tells them not to fear those who can only kill the body. Human persecutors have a strictly limited power.
Overview
In a world where following Christ may invite violence, Jesus liberates His people from the fear of death by exposing its limits: enemies can take physical life but nothing beyond. Addressing the disciples as 'friends' reveals the intimate love that grounds this courage. Because Christ has conquered death, His followers can face even martyrdom without terror.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Matt 10:28Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
- Jer 1:8Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says Yahweh.
- Rev 2:10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Phil 1:28and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
- Isa 51:7–13“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law: Don’t fear the reproach of men, and don’t be dismayed at their insults.
- 1 Pet 3:14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”
- Acts 20:24But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
- Dan 3:16–17Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
- Ezek 2:6You, son of man, don’t be afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you, and you do dwell among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
- Jas 2:23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God.
- Jer 26:14–15But as for me, behold, I am in your hand. Do with me what is good and right in your eyes.
- Jer 1:17“You therefore put your belt on your waist, arise, and say to them all that I command you. Don’t be dismayed at them, lest I dismay you before them.
- Acts 4:13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.
- Isa 41:8“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham my friend,
- John 15:14–15You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
- Song 5:1I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved.
- Song 5:16His mouth is sweetness; yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 12:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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