Luke 12:11

KJV

And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and [unto] magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when {G3752} they bring {G4374} you {G5209} unto {G1909} the synagogues {G4864}, and {G2532} unto magistrates {G746}, and {G2532} powers {G1849}, take {G3309} ye no {G3361} thought {G3309} how {G4459} or {G2228} what thing {G5101} ye shall answer {G626}, or {G2228} what {G5101} ye shall say {G2036}:

Complete Jewish Bible

“When they bring you before the synagogues and the ruling powers and the authorities, don’t worry about how you will defend yourself or what you will say;

Berean Standard Bible

When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say.

American Standard Version

And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:11 presents a profound instruction and promise from Jesus to His disciples, preparing them for the inevitable persecution they would face for their faith. He assures them that when they are brought before various religious and civil authorities—synagogues, magistrates, and powers—they are not to be anxious or preoccupied with how or what they should say in their defense, for divine provision will be granted in that very hour.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger discourse by Jesus to His disciples, specifically addressing the nature of discipleship and the challenges of following Him. Immediately preceding this, Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and encourages His followers not to fear those who can only kill the body, but rather to [fear God, who has power to cast into hell](/luke/12-4-5 "Luke 12:4-5 - Fear God, Not Man"). The subsequent verse, [Luke 12:12](/luke/12-12 "Luke 12:12 - The Holy Spirit Will Teach You"), explicitly reveals the source of the promised divine aid: "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." This entire section underscores the radical commitment required of disciples and the supernatural enablement available to them in times of trial.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of "synagogues, and magistrates, and powers" reflects the multifaceted opposition early Christians would encounter. Synagogues served as local Jewish religious and judicial centers, where believers could be interrogated, disciplined, or excommunicated. "Magistrates" (Greek: `archē`) and "powers" (Greek: `exousía`) refer to the various levels of civil and governmental authorities, both Jewish and Roman, that possessed legal jurisdiction. Disciples of Jesus were often perceived as a threat to established religious traditions and political order, making appearances before such bodies a common and dangerous reality. This context highlights the very real, life-threatening stakes involved in proclaiming the Gospel in the Roman Empire.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 12:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Provision in Persecution**, assuring believers that God will supernaturally equip them to bear witness even in hostile environments. It emphasizes **Trust Over Anxiety**, directly commanding disciples not to worry about their defense, a theme echoed in Jesus' broader teachings on [not being anxious about life's necessities](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry"). Crucially, it foreshadows the **Guidance and Empowerment of the Holy Spirit**, as the immediate context of [Luke 12:12](/luke/12-12 "Luke 12:12 - The Holy Spirit's Teaching") clarifies that the Spirit is the divine agent who will provide the words. This verse also speaks to the **Cost of Discipleship** and the necessity of **Bold Witness** in the face of opposition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **take ye no thought (Greek, _merimnáō'_):** This verb (G3309) means "to be anxious about," "to worry," or "to be distracted by cares." The negative particle `mḗ` (G3361) intensifies the prohibition, making it a command against anxious preoccupation rather than a general prohibition against thoughtful preparation. It calls for a radical trust in God's immediate provision.
* **powers (Greek, _exousía'_):** This noun (G1849) denotes "privilege," "force," "capacity," "competency," "freedom," or "mastery." Objectively, it refers to "authority," "jurisdiction," "magistrate," or "delegated influence." In this context, it refers to those established authorities, both civil and religious, who possess the power and right to judge or interrogate.
* **answer (Greek, _apologéomai'_):** This verb (G626) means "to give an account of oneself," "to make a defense," or "to exculpate oneself." It carries the legal connotation of presenting a formal defense in a court setting. The instruction is not to worry about crafting such a defense, implying that the Holy Spirit will provide the appropriate words for their `apologia`.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they bring you unto the synagogues":** This clause anticipates the initial form of persecution believers would face—interrogation and judgment within Jewish religious communities, often leading to excommunication or other forms of social ostracism.
* **"and unto magistrates, and powers":** This expands the scope of opposition to include secular governmental authorities, encompassing local rulers, Roman officials, and any established legal or political systems that would seek to question or condemn them for their faith.
* **"take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say":** This is the core command, instructing disciples not to be anxious or to pre-plan their defense. The repetition of "how or what" and "answer or say" emphasizes the complete surrender of their verbal defense to divine guidance, removing the burden of human ingenuity or fear.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:11 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Anticipation** is central, as Jesus foretells future trials, preparing His disciples mentally and spiritually for the inevitable opposition. The phrase "take ye no thought" uses **Emphasis** through a strong prohibition, highlighting the radical trust required. While not strictly hyperbole, it underscores the complete reliance on divine provision rather than human strategizing. There is also a subtle **Parallelism** in the phrasing "how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say," which uses synonymous expressions to reinforce the singular idea of not worrying about one's verbal defense. This repetition creates a rhythmic and memorable command, impressing upon the listeners the depth of their required trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the theological truth of God's active involvement in the lives of His faithful, particularly during times of intense pressure and persecution. It underscores the sovereignty of God over human authorities and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, who serves as the divine advocate and instructor for believers. The command to "take no thought" is not an endorsement of intellectual laziness, but a profound call to radical dependence on God, acknowledging that the most effective witness often comes not from human cleverness, but from Spirit-inspired utterance. This divine provision ensures that the testimony given is not merely a personal defense, but a powerful declaration of God's truth, even in the face of hostility.

* [Matthew 10:19-20](/matthew/10-19-20 "Matthew 10:19-20 - The Holy Spirit Will Speak Through You")
* [Mark 13:11](/mark/13-11 "Mark 13:11 - Do Not Worry About Your Defense")
* [Acts 4:8-13](/acts/4-8-13 "Acts 4:8-13 - Peter's Spirit-Filled Defense Before the Sanhedrin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 12:11 offers profound encouragement and a challenging call to trust for believers today. While many may not face literal courtrooms for their faith, the principle remains deeply relevant when confronted with social pressure, professional scrutiny, or opportunities to articulate one's convictions in challenging environments. This verse calls us to release our anxious grip on self-preservation and human cleverness, inviting us instead to lean fully on the Holy Spirit's wisdom and empowerment. It reminds us that our most potent witness often arises not from meticulously crafted arguments, but from a Spirit-filled heart speaking truth with courage and clarity, even when we feel inadequate or unprepared. It cultivates a posture of humble dependence, recognizing that our defense and our message ultimately come from God, enabling us to stand firm and speak boldly for Christ in a world that often opposes His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my natural tendency to worry or over-prepare when facing opposition or difficult conversations about my faith?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit to speak through me or empower me, rather than trusting solely in my own abilities?**
* **What practical steps can I take to foster a greater sense of trust in God's provision when I feel inadequate to defend my beliefs or share the Gospel?**

### FAQ
**Does "take ye no thought" mean Christians shouldn't prepare at all for evangelism or apologetics?**

Answer: No, the phrase "take ye no thought" (Greek: `merimnáō`) specifically means "do not be anxious" or "do not worry." It's a prohibition against anxious preoccupation and fear-driven strategizing in the face of persecution, not a general command against thoughtful preparation for ministry or intellectual engagement. Other scriptures encourage believers to be [ready always to give an answer](/1_peter/3-15 "1 Peter 3:15 - Always Be Prepared to Give an Answer") for the hope that is within them. Luke 12:11, especially in light of [Luke 12:12](/luke/12-12 "Luke 12:12 - The Holy Spirit's Teaching"), speaks to a specific context of being brought before hostile authorities where human ingenuity would fail, and divine, Spirit-prompted wisdom is required. It emphasizes trust in God's immediate enablement in moments of crisis, rather than a dismissal of all prior learning or preparation.

**Who are the "magistrates and powers" mentioned here?**

Answer: The terms "magistrates" (Greek: `archḗ`) and "powers" (Greek: `exousía`) refer to various forms of governmental and judicial authorities that possessed legal jurisdiction over individuals. In the context of the early church, this would have included both Jewish religious councils (like the Sanhedrin, as seen in [Acts 4](/acts/4 "Acts 4 - Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin")) and Roman civil officials (such as governors or local magistrates, as seen in [Acts 24](/acts/24 "Acts 24 - Paul Before Felix")). These terms collectively encompass the full range of established human authorities—religious, political, and legal—before whom Jesus' disciples would be compelled to give an account of their faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:11 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways, primarily by pointing to Jesus Himself as the ultimate example and the source of this divine empowerment. Jesus, when brought before the [synagogue leaders](/luke/4-28-29 "Luke 4:28-29 - Jesus Escapes Nazareth"), [magistrates like Pilate](/john/18-33-37 "John 18:33-37 - Jesus Before Pilate"), and the [powers of the Sanhedrin](/mark/14-53-65 "Mark 14:53-65 - Jesus Before the Sanhedrin"), perfectly embodied this principle. He often remained silent or spoke with a wisdom that confounded His accusers, demonstrating a reliance on His Father's will rather than human defense. His promise to the disciples that the Holy Spirit would teach them what to say is an extension of His own ministry and a testament to His ongoing advocacy for His people. The Spirit's voice, speaking through believers, is ultimately the voice of Christ, bearing witness to His truth and kingdom. This divine enablement ensures that the testimony given under duress is not merely a human defense, but a Spirit-empowered declaration of the Gospel, ultimately exalting Christ as Lord and fulfilling His commission to be [witnesses to the ends of the earth](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - You Will Be My Witnesses"). Thus, the believer's Spirit-filled witness in persecution becomes a continuation of Christ's own testimony in the world, demonstrating His victory over all opposing powers.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 10:17

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

Matthew 10:20

For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Acts 4:5

¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

Acts 4:7

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Luke 21:12

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute [you], delivering [you] up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Luke 21:14

Settle [it] therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

Mark 13:9

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.