King James Bible
"For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three."
Jesus establishes a temporal marker indicating that from this point forward, the division he speaks of will become reality. This phrase connects to his earlier statement about bringing division rather than peace, marking a turning point in how his message will affect human relationships. The specific number five represents a typical household unit in Jewish culture, possibly including parents, children, and extended family. Jesus uses the intimate setting of a single household to illustrate how his message will create profound divisions even within the closest family bonds. The mathematical split emphasizes the completeness of division—no neutral parties remain when confronted with Christ's claims. This mirrors the unavoidable choice every person must make regarding Jesus, showing how faith decisions will split families into opposing camps rather than allowing comfortable compromise.