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Luke 12:11,12
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, andunto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: …

Matthew 10:19,20
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak…

Mark 13:11
But when they shall leadyou, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

not to worry beforehand
Jesus advises against anxiety about future events, echoing His teachings inMatthew 6:25-34, where He instructs His followers not to worry about their lives, as God provides for their needs. This reflects a trust in divine providence and a call to live in the present, relying on God's guidance and provision. The cultural context of the time was one of uncertainty and persecution, making this instruction particularly poignant.

how to defend yourselves
The focus here is on the manner of defense, not the act itself. Jesus is preparing His disciples for persecution and trials, as seen in the early church's experiences in Acts. The defense is not to be premeditated, suggesting reliance on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and words, as promised inLuke 12:11-12. This reflects a broader biblical theme of God equipping His people for spiritual battles, as seen inEphesians 6:10-18, where believers are called to put on the full armor of God.

Luke 21:14 opens with “So,” linking the command to the prophecy in verses 12–13. Jesus has just warned that His followers will face arrests and trials, “but this will be your opportunity to bear witness” (v13). The “So” draws a direct line: because God turns persecution into testimony, we can respond confidently. A similar cause-and-effect appears inActs 4:8–13, where the Spirit empowers Peter and John before hostile rulers; see alsoMatthew 10:18–19, where Jesus again connects coming trials with Spirit-given words.

Here Jesus calls for a settled, conscious decision ahead of time. Resolve is an act of the will, not a reaction to circumstances.Joshua 24:15 shows the same deliberate choice: “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” Paul echoes it in1 Corinthians 2:2, determining to know nothing but Christ crucified before stepping into Corinth’s debates.1 Peter 3:15 likewise urges believers to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts,” preparing in advance to answer.

The command forbids anxious rehearsal. Jesus consistently tells His followers that worry is both unnecessary and unproductive (Matthew 6:25-34).Philippians 4:6-7 strengthens the point: “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God… will guard your hearts.” Trusting God’s sovereignty turns future unknowns into present rest. By settling the matter now, we refuse to let fear script our responses later.

Defense in courtrooms and hostile settings would seem to require meticulous preparation, yet Jesus reverses human logic: “For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict” (Luke 21:15).Luke 12:11-12 repeats the promise of Spirit-given words. Stephen’s trial inActs 6:8-10 proves it in action; his opponents “could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.” The power rests not in polished rhetoric but in divine enablement (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

Luke 21:14 calls believers to a pre-decided, untroubled trust: because persecution becomes a platform for witness, we resolve now to rest then. Worry is displaced by confidence in the Spirit’s timely words, ensuring that our defense will showcase God’s wisdom rather than our own effort.

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