Luke 12:5
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.

English Standard Version
But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

Berean Standard Bible
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!

Berean Literal Bible
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who has authority, after the killing, to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I say to you, fear Him.

King James Bible
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

New King James Version
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

New American Standard Bible
But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed someone, has the power to throw that person into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

NASB 1995
“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

NASB 1977
“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who after He has killed has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

Legacy Standard Bible
But I will show you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

Amplified Bible
But I will point out to you whom you should fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority and power to hurl [you] into hell; yes, I say to you, [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him!

Christian Standard Bible
But I will show you the one to fear: Fear him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But I will show you the One to fear: Fear Him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the One to fear!

American Standard Version
But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Contemporary English Version
God is the one you must fear. Not only can he take your life, but he can throw you into hell. God is certainly the one you should fear!

English Revised Version
But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I'll show you the one you should be afraid of. Be afraid of the one who has the power to throw you into hell after killing you. I'm warning you to be afraid of him.

Good News Translation
I will show you whom to fear: fear God, who, after killing, has the authority to throw into hell. Believe me, he is the one you must fear!

International Standard Version
I'll show you the one you should be afraid of. Be afraid of the one who has the authority to throw you into hell after killing you. Yes, I tell you, be afraid of him!

Majority Standard Bible
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!

NET Bible
But I will warn you whom you should fear: Fear the one who, after the killing, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

New Heart English Bible
But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Webster's Bible Translation
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him.

Weymouth New Testament
I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who after killing has power to throw into Gehenna: yes, I say to you, fear him.

World English Bible
But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but I will show to you whom you may fear: fear Him who, after the killing, is having authority to cast into Gehenna; yes, I say to you, fear Him.

Berean Literal Bible
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who has authority, after the killing, to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I say to you, fear Him.

Young's Literal Translation
but I will show to you, whom ye may fear; Fear him who, after the killing, is having authority to cast to the gehenna; yes, I say to you, Fear ye Him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I will shew you whom ye should fear: Fear him having power, after killing, to cast into hell; yea, I say to you, Fear him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But I will shew you whom you shall fear: fear ye him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you, fear him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But I will reveal to you whom you should fear. Fear him who, after he will have killed, has the power to cast into Hell. So I say to you: Fear him.

New American Bible
I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.

New Revised Standard Version
But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But I will show you of whom to be afraid; of him who after he has killed has the power to throw into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But I will show you whom you should fear: that one who after he kills is authorized to cast into Gehenna; yes I say to you, be afraid of this one.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But I will show you whom you shall fear: Fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him.

Godbey New Testament
But I will show you whom you must fear: Fear him, who after he kills has power to cast into hell. Yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Haweis New Testament
But I will point out to you, whom ye should fear: Fear him, who, after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him!

Mace New Testament
but I will inform you whom you should fear: fear him, who after he has kill'd, has power to precipitate into hell; yes, I advise you, fear him.

Weymouth New Testament
I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who after killing has power to throw into Gehenna: yes, I say to you, fear him.

Worrell New Testament
but I will show you Whom ye should fear; fear Him Who, after killing, has authority to cast into Hell; yea, I say to you, fear Him.

Worsley New Testament
But I will shew you whom ye should fear,---Fear Him, who after He hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear Him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Fear God Alone
4I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.…

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.

Revelation 14:7
And he said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.”

Hebrews 10:31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

James 4:12
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Revelation 20:14-15
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. / And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

2 Corinthians 5:11
Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.

Romans 14:12
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

1 Peter 4:5
But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Acts 10:42
And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.

Revelation 1:18
the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.

Isaiah 8:13
The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.

Psalm 76:7
You alone are to be feared. When You are angry, who can stand before You?

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. / For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.

Daniel 12:2
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.


Treasury of Scripture

But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear him, which after he has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him.

forewarn.

Mark 13:23
But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

1 Thessalonians 4:6
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

Fear.

Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

Jeremiah 5:22
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

Jeremiah 10:7
Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

power.

Psalm 9:17
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 25:41,46
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: …

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Luke 12
1. Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy
13. and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns.
22. We must not worry about earthly things,
31. but seek the kingdom of God;
33. give alms;
35. be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes.
41. Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges,
49. and look for persecution.
54. The people must take this time of grace;
57. because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation.














But I will show you
This phrase indicates a transition from Jesus' previous teachings. The Greek word for "show" is "deiknymi," which means to point out or make known. Jesus is emphasizing the importance of understanding the true nature of fear. In the context of His ministry, He often revealed deeper spiritual truths that were not immediately apparent to His listeners.

whom you should fear
The word "fear" here is translated from the Greek "phobeo," which can mean both reverential awe and terror. In a conservative Christian perspective, this fear is not about being scared in a human sense but having a profound respect and acknowledgment of God's ultimate authority and power. This fear is a recognition of God's holiness and justice.

Fear the One
This phrase directs the focus specifically to God. The capitalized "One" signifies the divine nature of the subject. In the biblical context, God is the ultimate authority, and fearing Him is about recognizing His sovereignty over life and death. This fear is foundational to wisdom, as stated in Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."

who, after you have been killed
This part of the verse acknowledges the reality of physical death, which is a common human experience. The phrase suggests that there is something beyond physical death that is of greater significance. In the Christian worldview, life does not end with physical death; there is an eternal dimension that must be considered.

has power to throw you into hell
The Greek word for "hell" here is "Gehenna," which historically referred to a valley outside Jerusalem known for its association with idolatry and child sacrifice, later becoming a symbol of divine judgment. This phrase underscores God's authority over eternal destiny. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's grace and the reality of divine judgment.

Yes, I tell you, fear Him!
The repetition of the command to "fear Him" emphasizes its importance. The use of "Yes, I tell you" serves as a strong affirmation from Jesus, reinforcing the necessity of fearing God above all else. This fear is not about living in terror but living in a way that honors God, acknowledging His rightful place as the Creator and Judge. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual truths over temporal concerns.

Verse 5. - But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; literally, into Gehenna. This is simply Gee-hinnom, "valley of Hinnom," translated into Greek letters· This valley was situated in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, and originally was noted for the infamous rites practiced there in the worship of Moloch, in the times of the idolatrous kings of Judah. King Josiah, to mark his abhorrence of the idol-rites, defiled it with corpses; fires were subsequently kindled to consume the putrefying matter and prevent pestilence. The once fair valley, thus successively defiled with hideous corrupting rites, by putrefying corpses, and then with blazing fires lit to consume what would otherwise have occasioned pestilence, was taken by rabbinical writers as a symbol for the place of torment, and is used not unfrequently as a synonym for "hell." The translators of the Authorized Version have done so here. The reminder is, after all, we need not fear men. When they have done their worst, they have only injured or tortured the perishable body. The One whom all have good reason to fear is God, whose power is not limited to this life, but extends through and beyond death. Some have strangely supposed, not God, but the devil, is intended here to be the real object of human fear. The devil can be no object of fear to the Master's disciples.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

I will show
ὑποδείξω (hypodeixō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5263: To indicate, intimate, suggest, show, prove. From hupo and deiknuo; to exhibit under the eyes, i.e. to exemplify.

you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

whom
τίνα (tina)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

you should fear:
φοβηθῆτε (phobēthēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

Fear
φοβήθητε (phobēthēte)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

the [One who],
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

after
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

[you]
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

have been killed,
ἀποκτεῖναι (apokteinai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 615: To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.

has
ἔχοντα (echonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

power
ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

to throw [you]
ἐμβαλεῖν (embalein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1685: To cast in, throw in. From en and ballo; to throw on, i.e. subject to.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

hell.
γέενναν (geennan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1067: Of Hebrew origin; valley of Hinnom; ge-henna, a valley of Jerusalem, used as a name for the place of everlasting punishment.

Yes,
ναί (nai)
Particle
Strong's 3483: Yes, certainly, even so. A primary particle of strong affirmation; yes.

I tell
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

you,
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

fear
φοβήθητε (phobēthēte)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

Him!
τοῦτον (touton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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