Luke 21:19

KJV

In your patience possess ye your souls.

KJV (with Strong's)

In {G1722} your {G5216} patience {G5281} possess ye {G2932} your {G5216} souls {G5590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

By standing firm you will save your lives.

Berean Standard Bible

By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.

American Standard Version

In your patience ye shall win your souls.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 21:19, "In your patience possess ye your souls," is a profound exhortation from Jesus, delivered during His Olivet Discourse. It serves as a vital instruction for believers facing severe tribulation, emphasizing that through unwavering, steadfast endurance, they are to secure and preserve their spiritual integrity, true life, and eternal destiny amidst earthly trials and persecutions. This command highlights the active, hopeful perseverance required to maintain faith and identity in the face of immense pressure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, recorded in [Luke 21:5-36](/luke/21-5-36 "Luke 21 - The Olivet Discourse"), where He prophesies the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and warns His disciples about future persecutions and cosmic signs preceding His return. Immediately preceding [Luke 21:19](/luke/21-19 "Luke 21:19 - Perseverance in Tribulation"), Jesus describes intense trials: believers will be betrayed by family, hated by all for His name's sake, and even put to death ([Luke 21:16-17](/luke/21-16-17 "Luke 21:16-17 - Betrayal and Hatred")). Yet, amidst these dire predictions, He offers a powerful promise: He will give them "a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist" ([Luke 21:15](/luke/21-15 "Luke 21:15 - Divine Wisdom for Testimony")). Verse 19, therefore, provides the essential disposition—patient endurance—required to navigate such times successfully and maintain one's spiritual life and witness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' words were spoken to His Jewish disciples in a land under Roman occupation, a context rife with political tension and religious fervor. The prophecy of the Temple's destruction ([Luke 21:6](/luke/21-6 "Luke 21:6 - Destruction of the Temple")) would have been shocking, as the Temple was the very center of Jewish worship and national identity. The subsequent warnings of persecution resonate with the historical reality faced by early Christians, who were often misunderstood, ostracized, and persecuted by both Jewish authorities and the Roman Empire for their refusal to conform to traditional religious practices or emperor worship. The concept of "losing one's life" for Christ's sake ([Luke 9:24](/luke/9-24 "Luke 9:24 - Losing Life for Christ")) was a tangible threat, making the call to patient endurance not merely a spiritual ideal but a practical survival guide for a community facing existential threats.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in [Luke 21](/luke/21 "Luke 21 - Signs of the End Times") is **eschatological readiness** and **steadfastness in tribulation**. Jesus emphasizes that despite the coming trials, His followers are not to be terrified ([Luke 21:9](/luke/21-9 "Luke 21:9 - Do Not Be Terrified")) but rather to stand firm. This passage highlights the theme of **divine sovereignty and protection**, as God promises to equip and sustain His people even in the direst circumstances. Furthermore, the concept of **witness** is central, as the persecutions will provide opportunities for believers to testify about Christ ([Luke 21:13](/luke/21-13 "Luke 21:13 - Opportunity for Witness")). Ultimately, [Luke 21:19](/luke/21-19 "Luke 21:19 - Perseverance and Preservation") underscores the profound importance of **spiritual preservation**—that true life and eternal destiny are secured not by avoiding suffering, but by enduring it faithfully with Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **patience (Greek, _hypomonē'_):** This term (G5281) signifies "cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy." It is not merely passive waiting but an active, steadfast perseverance under trials and afflictions. The preposition "in" (G1722, _en_) suggests "by means of" or "through" your patience, indicating that this endurance is the instrument or means by which the action is accomplished.
* **possess ye (Greek, _ktáomai'_):** The verb (G2932) means "to get, i.e. acquire (by any means; own)." In this context, it carries the sense of "to acquire for oneself," "to gain," "to secure," or "to preserve." It implies taking hold of something valuable and holding onto it firmly.
* **souls (Greek, _psychḗ'_):** This word (G5590) refers to "breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only)." While often translated "soul," in this context, especially in the Synoptic Gospels, _psychē_ frequently denotes one's "life" in its entirety—the individual's self, their being, their spiritual and physical existence. It encompasses one's identity, spiritual integrity, and ultimate destiny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In your patience":** This phrase indicates the means or instrument by which the subsequent action is achieved. It calls for a specific disposition: a resolute, active, and hopeful endurance in the face of suffering and adversity. It is not a resigned acceptance but a firm, unwavering steadfastness rooted in faith.
* **"possess ye":** This is a command to acquire, gain, or secure something for oneself. In the context of tribulation and potential loss of physical life, it implies preserving or holding onto something of ultimate value. It suggests a proactive effort to maintain what is truly important.
* **"your souls":** This refers to one's life, one's very being, one's spiritual integrity, and one's eternal destiny. In a passage where physical life may be threatened, "possessing one's soul" signifies securing one's true, eternal life and spiritual identity, ensuring that one's faith and relationship with God remain intact despite external pressures.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 21:19 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. It functions primarily as an **Exhortation**, a direct command from Jesus to His disciples, urging them to adopt a specific attitude and action in the face of future trials. The phrase "possess ye your souls" utilizes **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "souls" represents not just the spiritual essence but the entire person, their life, their spiritual integrity, and their ultimate destiny. This creates a powerful **Paradox**: in a discourse filled with warnings of physical suffering and death, Jesus teaches that true life and salvation are secured not by avoiding these trials, but precisely *through* patient and steadfast endurance within them. The verse also contains a subtle **Antithesis** between the external threats of persecution and the internal, spiritual preservation achieved through perseverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 21:19 encapsulates a core biblical truth: that faithfulness in suffering is intrinsically linked to spiritual preservation and ultimate salvation. It underscores the theological concept of perseverance of the saints, not as a passive state, but as an active, Spirit-empowered endurance that demonstrates genuine faith. This verse connects the experience of tribulation to the refining of character, asserting that trials, when met with patient steadfastness, lead to a deeper security in Christ and a more profound grasp of eternal life. It highlights God's expectation for His people to remain steadfast, trusting in His ultimate victory and their secure place in His kingdom, even when earthly circumstances are dire.

* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - The Testing of Your Faith")
* [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Romans 5:3-5 - Boasting in Our Sufferings")
* [Hebrews 10:36](/hebrews/10-36 "Hebrews 10:36 - Endurance to Receive the Promise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 21:19 offers timeless wisdom for believers navigating the complexities of life in a fallen world. It challenges us to cultivate a spirit of patient endurance, recognizing that trials and setbacks are not anomalies but often serve as crucibles for spiritual growth and the refining of our faith. In an age that often prioritizes immediate gratification and comfort, this verse calls us to a counter-cultural commitment: to value spiritual integrity and eternal life above temporary ease or worldly possessions. When faced with choices that might compromise our convictions, Jesus' words urge us to "possess" or preserve our spiritual identity above all else, remembering that our true life is found in Christ. This steadfastness is not self-generated but is a fruit of the Spirit, enabling us to trust God's sovereign plan even when circumstances are beyond our control, thereby demonstrating our unwavering commitment to Christ and securing our ultimate hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific areas of your life currently require patient endurance, and how can you actively cultivate this quality?**
* **How does the concept of "possessing your soul" challenge your priorities in a world that often values material gain or immediate comfort?**
* **In what ways can you rely more fully on God's strength and the Holy Spirit's enablement to persevere through difficult circumstances?**

### FAQ

**What exactly does Jesus mean by "possess your souls"?**

Answer: When Jesus says "possess your souls," He is referring to the preservation and securing of one's true life, one's spiritual integrity, and ultimately, one's eternal destiny. The Greek word for "souls" (_psychē_) often means "life" in a broader sense, encompassing the entire person—their identity, their spiritual being, and their very existence. In the context of severe persecution and potential martyrdom described in [Luke 21](/luke/21 "Luke 21 - Signs of the End Times"), Jesus is assuring His disciples that by remaining steadfast and enduring faithfully, they will not lose what truly matters: their relationship with God and their eternal inheritance, even if they lose their physical lives. It's about holding fast to Christ and one's faith, thereby securing the life that truly counts.

**Is "patience" in this verse a passive waiting or an active endurance?**

Answer: The Greek word for "patience" (_hypomonē_) in [Luke 21:19](/luke/21-19 "Luke 21:19 - Perseverance in Tribulation") denotes an active, hopeful, and courageous endurance rather than a passive waiting. It implies remaining firm and resolute under pressure, not giving way to despair or compromise. This is a steadfastness that is sustained by faith and hope, enabling believers to stand firm against adversity, knowing that God is at work even in the midst of suffering. It is the quality that allows one to bear up under trials, not with resignation, but with a forward-looking expectation of God's ultimate vindication and salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 21:19 finds its ultimate fulfillment and enablement in Jesus Christ. He is the supreme example of patient endurance, who "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith")). His steadfastness through suffering, culminating in His death and resurrection, secured not only His own "soul" (life) but also the eternal lives of all who believe in Him. Believers are called to possess their souls in patience because Christ Himself has already demonstrated the path and provided the power. Through His Spirit, He indwells believers, empowering them to endure tribulation, just as He endured. Our ability to "possess our souls" is not a self-generated strength but a divine enablement, allowing us to say with Paul, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")). Thus, our perseverance is a testament to His victory and a participation in His enduring life, ensuring that in Him, we are "more than conquerors" ([Romans 8:37-39](/romans/8-37-39 "Romans 8:37-39 - More Than Conquerors")).

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

Hebrews 10:36

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Matthew 10:22

And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

James 1:3

Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Revelation 3:10

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Romans 5:3

And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Romans 2:7

To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Revelation 13:10

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.