Luke 12:50 (KJV)

Passage

But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Nearby Context

Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

Luke 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "baptism", "baptized", "straitened", "till", and "accomplished". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "baptism" and "baptized", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 49's "I am come to send fire on..." into verse 51's "Suppose ye that I am come to...", so "baptism" and "baptized" belong inside that flow. In Luke context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "baptism" and "baptized" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.