| The Hebrew Synoptic Gospels |
| Luke 12: 49, 50 |
These verses are neither English or Greek, but Hebrew poetry, whose featureis parallelism. The authors give a long explanation of the incorrect translation, then statewhat the passage more likely means. Jesus has the task of setting fire to the earth -- whichHe is doing. The final judgment is to come. He is not looking forward to that event as peoplewill then no longer be able to accept Him. It is difficult for Him until the judgment has beencompleted. He agonizes because some people accept Him while others reject Him.
| AAT | I have come to bring fire on earth, and how glad I would be if it were alreadystarted! I must be baptized with a baptism, and how I am troubled till it is done! |
| CJB | I have come to set fire to the earth! And how I wish it were already kindled! I have animmersion to undergo -- how pressured I feel till it's over! |
| GW | I have come to throw fire on the earth. I wish that it had already started! I have abaptism to go through, and I will suffer until it is over. |
| IB | I came to hurl fire into the earth; and what will I if it already was lit? But I have abaptism to be immersed in, and how am I pressed until it is done! |
| IV | For they are not well pleased with the Lord's doings; therefore I am come to send fire onthe earth; and what is it to you, if that it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to bebaptized with; and how am I straightened until it be accomplished! [verses 58,59 in this version] |
| LBP | I came to set the earth on fire; and I wish to do it, if it has not already been kindled. I have a baptism to be baptized with; and I am oppressed until it is fulfilled. |
| NAB | I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is abaptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Footnote: Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom is a refining and purifying fire. Footnote: baptism: i.e., his death. |
| NAS | I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! |
| NEB | I have come to set fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have abaptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until the ordeal is over! |
| NJB | I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is abaptism I must still receive, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! |
| NKJ | I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have abaptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! |
| NLV | I have come to bring fire down to the earth. I wish it were already started! I have abaptism to go through. How troubled I am until it is over! |
| NRS | I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have abaptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! |
| PRS | It is fire I have come to bring upon the earth -- how I could wish it were already ablaze!There is a baptism that I must undergo and how strained I must be until it is all over! |
| SV | I came to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already ablaze! I have a baptismto be baptized with, and what pressure I'm under until it's over! |
| TEV | I came to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptismto receive, and how distressed I am until it is over! |
| TM | I've come to start a fire -- how I wish it were blazing right now! I've come to changeeverything, turn everything rightside up - how I long for it to be finished! |
| WET | Fire I came to throw upon the earth, and how much I wish that it were already set blazing.Moreover, I have an immersion by which I will be overwhelmed, and how I am being hard pressedfrom every side until it is consummated. |
Although the wording is different, these versions say much the same thing.While there is a partial sense as to what Jesus is saying, none has the complete meaning thatthe authors present. The average Christian should be able to figure out a little of thepassage, but may find it difficult to interpret all of it.