Do not Fear Them that Kill the Body - Luke 12:4

The beloved physician Luke wrote about Jesus, “when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they tread one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware you of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever you have spoken darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which you have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops”, and in chapter twelve and verse four of his book Luke shared how Jesus said to His disciples, “be not afraid of them that kill the body” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, ...” Luke began with the words, “and I say unto you” or “and I, Jesus, utter, declare and proclaim to the people listening to Jesus” “my friends” which means “Jesus' associates, companions and neighbors”, “be not afraid of them” or “do not be put to flight, seized with alarm, startled or frightened by people” “that kill the body” which means “who inflict mortal death upon, abolish and slay the physical body”. Luke shared how people who considered themselves “friends” of Jesus were not to “fear” people who could “destroy and slay” their mortal bodies.

The verse goes on to say, “... and after that have no more that they can do.” Luke continued with the words, “and after that” or “and behind or hereafter killing the body” “have not more that they can do” which means “do not have anything further or more eminent the killers can perform”. Luke shared how Jesus encouraged the people surrounding Him not to be “afraid” of people who can only “kill” the “physical body” but afterward have “nothing more” they can “do”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus encouraged the people who assembled around Him not to “worry over” or “fear” people who can only “destroy” their physical bodies. He tells the people why they are to live without this “fear” in the next verse, but suffice it for now to know there is a “physical” and “spiritual” body. Those who “destroy” the “physical body” are unable to “touch” the “spiritual” body of a person because God has left that part for Himself. Those who are wise will yield their “spiritual” bodies to Jesus Christ who alone is able to save them from their sins and give them “everlasting life” with God.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says to His disciples, “fear him, which after he has killed has power to cast into hell”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".