Luke 12:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The right fear belongs to God alone, whose authority reaches beyond death; Jesus says it twice — fear Him.
What Does Luke 12:5 Mean?
Having shrunk the fear of men, Jesus directs fear to its true object: the One whose power does not stop at the grave but extends to the final judgment. Beside that authority, every human threat is small. The repetition — yea, I say unto you, Fear him — gives the command full weight.
This is not terror but rightly ordered reverence, the fear that drives out lesser fears: the disciple who bows before God need cower before no one else. And the very next verse shows the heart of the One to be feared — He is the same God who remembers sparrows. Holy fear and deep trust live together; Scripture calls that pairing the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10).
Luke 12:5 in the Original Language
gehenna (γέεννα), 'hell' -- Gehenna, the valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, whose name became a picture of final judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 12:5
What does Luke 12:5 mean?
The right fear belongs to God alone, whose authority reaches beyond death; Jesus says it twice — fear Him.