4 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
4 "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.
4 "I'm speaking to you as dear friends. Don't be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being.
4 "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
4 "Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 12:4
Commentary on Luke 12:1-12
(Read Luke 12:1-12)
A firm belief of the doctrine of God's universal providence, and the extent of it, would satisfy us when in peril, and encourage us to trust God in the way of duty. Providence takes notice of the meanest creatures, even of the sparrows, and therefore of the smallest interests of the disciples of Christ. Those who confess Christ now, shall be owned by him in the great day, before the angels of God. To deter us from denying Christ, and deserting his truths and ways, we are here assured that those who deny Christ, though they may thus save life itself, and though they may gain a kingdom by it, will be great losers at last; for Christ will not know them, will not own them, nor show them favour. But let no trembling, penitent backslider doubt of obtaining forgiveness. This is far different from the determined enmity that is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall never be forgiven, because it will never be repented of.