Suppose you that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
All Commentaries on Luke 12:51 Go To Luke 12
Ambrose of Milan
AD 397
Even according to the letter, a religious explanation is not lacking for those with a devout understanding. We think a deeper meaning should also be explained. He added, “There will be from now on five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.” Who are these five, when the exposition given seems to be of six persons, father and son, mother and daughter, motherinlaw and daughterinlaw? The same woman can be understood as both mother and motherinlaw, because she who is the mother of the son is the motherinlaw of his wife. According to the letter, the reason for the number is not absurd. It is evident that bonds of nature do not bind faith, because children are obedient in faith because of the duty of piety. It also seems suitable to explain this meaning with a mystical interpretation. One man is one house, because each is the house of either God or the devil. A spiritual man is a spiritual house, as we have in the epistle of Peter, “Be also as living stories built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood.” In this house, two are divided against three and three against two. –.
