“I came
To bring fire
To the earth.
How I wish
That it was
Already kindled!”
Πῦρ ἦλθον βαλεῖν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ τί θέλω εἰ ἤδη ἀνήφθη.
Luke uniquely indicated that Jesus said that he came to bring or cast fire or judgment (Πῦρ ἦλθον βαλεῖν) to the earth (ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν). Jesus wished (καὶ τί θέλω) that this fire had already started or kindled (εἰ ἤδη ἀνήφθη). It appeared that Jesus wanted the judgment day to come sooner. He wanted the judgment of fire to come quickly. Fire was also a symbol of the Holy Spirit, purification, or presence of his love. Jesus wanted things to get going. Are you anxious about things to start?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 