Luke 12:4

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.

Luke 12:4 in Other Translations

4 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.

4 "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.

4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.

4 "I'm speaking to you as dear friends. Don't be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being.

4 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.

4 "My friends, I can guarantee that you don't need to be afraid of those who kill the body. After that they can't do anything more.

4 "And I say to you, My friends, don't fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more.

4 "My friends, listen to me. Don't be afraid of those who kill the body but can't do any more than that.

Luke 12:4 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:4

And I say unto you, my friends
Whom he dearly loved, and had taken into the greatest intimacy and familiarity; making known to them whatever he had heard from his Father; giving them the best instructions, the most faithful and friendly advice, and proper precautions; all which, and more, showed them to be his friends, and for whom he after laid down his life:

be not afraid of them that kill the body;
though he would have them beware of the Pharisees, he would not have them be afraid of them; he would have them know them, and avoid their hypocrisy, and guard against it; but not fear them, or the worst they could do unto them, which was to kill the body; and that they had no need to be afraid of, since at death, their souls would be immediately happy, in the enjoyment and vision of God; and their bodies would sleep in Jesus, and be raised in the resurrection morn, and be united to their souls, and be both for ever blessed:

and after that have no more that they can do;
they have nothing more to kill, or which they can put to pain or misery; the soul is out of their reach, is an immortal spirit, and cannot be hurt or destroyed by them.

Luke 12:4 In-Context

2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.

5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

Cross References

• 1. John 15:14,15