Luke 12:4

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

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples, commanding them not to fear human persecutors who can only end physical life. This instruction follows a warning about hidden words being publicly proclaimed and precedes a directive to fear God's authority over eternal judgment.

The words — The Greek φοβηθῆτε (phobēthēte) issues a direct prohibition against fear, while τοῖς φίλοις (tois philois) identifies the audience as "My friends." Jesus grounds the command in a factual contrast: human killers reach their limit after taking the body.

The thread — Luke 12:4 parallels Matthew 10:28 in contrasting human bodily harm with divine authority over eternal destiny. It aligns with Jeremiah 1:8 and Revelation 2:10, which both command courage against immediate earthly threats while promising divine presence or a crown of life.

Why it lands — The text demands a recalibration of fear, prioritizing reverence for God's post-mortem authority over anxiety about human violence. Readers must choose between trusting divine protection and being paralyzed by temporal threats.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Jeremiah 1:8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Philippians 1:28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.
Isaiah 51:7 Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.
1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
Ezekiel 2:6 But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.
Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
Acts 20:24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.