Mark 13:11

KJV

But when they shall lead [you], 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when {G3752} they shall lead {G71} you, and deliver {G3860} you {G5209} up {G3860}, take {G4305} no {G3361} thought beforehand {G4305} what {G5101} ye shall speak {G2980}, neither {G3366} do ye premeditate {G3191}: but {G235} whatsoever {G3739} shall be {G1437} given {G1325} you {G5213} in {G1722} that {G1565} hour {G5610}, that {G5124} speak {G2980} ye: for {G1063} it is {G2075} not {G3756} ye {G5210} that speak {G2980}, but {G235} the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now when they arrest you and bring you to trial, don't worry beforehand about what to say. Rather, say whatever is given you when the time comes; for it will not be just you speaking, but the Ruach HaKodesh.

Berean Standard Bible

But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

American Standard Version

And when they lead you to judgment, and deliver you up, be not anxious beforehand what ye shall speak: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 13:11 offers profound assurance to Jesus' disciples regarding divine enablement during future persecutions and trials. In the midst of His Olivet Discourse, Jesus promises that when believers are brought before authorities for His sake, they are not to worry about what to say or to pre-plan their defense, for the Holy Spirit Himself will provide the exact words needed in that moment, ensuring their testimony is divinely inspired.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' extensive eschatological discourse, often called the Olivet Discourse, recorded in [Mark 13](/mark/13 "Mark 13 - The Olivet Discourse"). Following His pronouncements about the destruction of the Temple in [Mark 13:1-2](/mark/13-1-2 "Mark 13:1-2 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction"), Jesus' disciples privately ask Him about the timing of these events and the signs of His coming ([Mark 13:3-4](/mark/13-3-4 "Mark 13:3-4 - Disciples Ask About the End Times")). Jesus then provides a series of warnings and prophecies concerning false christs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and, significantly, the persecution of His followers ([Mark 13:5-13](/mark/13-5-13 "Mark 13:5-13 - Warnings of Deception and Persecution")). Verse 11 specifically addresses the disciples' conduct and divine provision when they are "delivered up" for their faith, directly preceding warnings about family betrayal and universal hatred for Christ's name ([Mark 13:12-13](/mark/13-12-13 "Mark 13:12-13 - Family Betrayal and Enduring to the End")). This promise serves as a crucial encouragement amidst the grim realities of impending tribulation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' words reflect the socio-political realities of the Roman Empire and Jewish society in the first century. Believers, especially those advocating for a new "king" (Jesus), faced potential charges of sedition against Rome or blasphemy/heresy within Jewish religious courts. Being "led and delivered up" (Gk. _ágō_ and _paradídōmi_) refers to arrest and formal presentation before various legal and religious bodies: councils (Sanhedrin), synagogues (local Jewish courts), governors (Roman provincial authorities), and kings (e.g., Herod Agrippa I or II, or even the Roman emperor). Such proceedings were often intimidating, public, and could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment, flogging, or death. In this context, the natural human response would be anxiety about self-defense and crafting persuasive arguments. Jesus' instruction to "take no thought beforehand" directly counters this natural inclination, emphasizing a supernatural reliance on God's immediate intervention in hostile environments.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 13:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Mark and broader New Testament theology. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating God's active involvement in the lives of His persecuted people, even to the point of providing their very words. This promise also highlights the **Empowering Role of the Holy Spirit**, portraying Him not merely as a comforter but as an active agent in witnessing, fulfilling Jesus' earlier promise of a Helper ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit as Teacher and Reminder")). Furthermore, the verse reinforces the theme of **Trust and Dependence on God** over human wisdom or self-reliance, a recurring motif in Jesus' teaching, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount where He similarly admonishes against anxiety about daily needs ([Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry")). Finally, it frames **Persecution as an Opportunity for Witness**, transforming potentially terrifying trials into platforms for the Gospel to be proclaimed to those in authority, a theme echoed in the book of [Acts](/acts/1 "Acts 1 - The Book of Acts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **take no thought beforehand (Greek, _promerimnáō'_):** From G4305, this compound verb means "to care (anxiously) in advance." The negative particle _mḗ_ (G3361) preceding it creates a strong prohibition: "do not be anxious beforehand" or "do not worry about it." It addresses the internal state of apprehension and preoccupation with future self-defense, instructing disciples not to succumb to the natural human tendency to fret over what they will say when facing hostile interrogations.
* **speak (Greek, _laléō'_):** From G2980, this verb means "to talk, i.e. utter words." In this context, it refers to the act of articulating a defense or testimony before authorities. The repetition of this word ("what ye shall speak... that speak ye... it is not ye that speak") emphasizes the divine source of the utterance, shifting the focus from human rhetoric to Spirit-empowered proclamation.
* **Holy Ghost (Greek, _hágios Pneûma'_):** From G40 (_hágios_, "sacred, holy") and G4151 (_pneûma_, "a current of air, breath, spirit"), this phrase refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. The verse declares that the words spoken by the disciples in moments of trial will not originate from their own intellect or preparation but will be the direct utterance of the Holy Spirit, ensuring a divine, authoritative testimony.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when they shall lead [you], and deliver you up":** This opening clause, introduced by the adversative particle _dé_ (G1161, "but"), sets the stage for the specific circumstances in which Jesus' promise applies. It anticipates a time of arrest and formal presentation before hostile authorities, implying a forced appearance rather than a voluntary one. The passive voice ("shall be led," "delivered up") highlights the disciples' vulnerability and the external forces acting upon them.
* **"take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate":** This is a direct command from Jesus, employing strong negative prohibitions (_mḗ_ and _mēdé_). "Take no thought beforehand" (_promerimnáō_) forbids anxious preoccupation with future speech, while "neither do ye premeditate" (_mē meletáō_) prohibits rehearsing or preparing a defense in advance. The emphasis is on releasing the burden of human preparation and trusting in divine spontaneity.
* **"but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye":** This clause provides the alternative and the divine provision. The conjunction _allá_ (G235, "but") introduces a contrast to the previous command. The phrase "whatsoever shall be given you" (_eán didōmi_, G1437, G1325) points to a supernatural impartation of words. The specific timing, "in that hour" (_en ekeínos hṓra_, G1722, G1565, G5610), underscores the immediacy and divine timeliness of this inspiration, requiring absolute present reliance.
* **"for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.":** This final clause provides the theological rationale and ultimate source of the promised words. The particle _gár_ (G1063, "for") introduces the reason. It explicitly states that the words uttered will not originate from the disciples' own minds or abilities ("not ye that speak") but will be the direct utterance of the Holy Spirit (G40, G4151) through them. This elevates their testimony from human opinion to divine revelation.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 13:11 employs several powerful literary devices. **Apostrophe** is evident as Jesus directly addresses His disciples, providing a personal and intimate instruction for their future trials. The use of **Divine Command** ("take no thought beforehand," "speak ye") underscores the authoritative nature of Jesus' words and the imperative for His followers to obey this counter-intuitive instruction. There is a clear **Contrast** established between human anxiety and preparation ("take no thought beforehand... neither do ye premeditate") and divine provision ("whatsoever shall be given you... it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost"). This highlights the radical dependence on God that Jesus demands. Furthermore, **Metonymy** is present in "the Holy Ghost" standing for the words and wisdom that the Holy Spirit will impart. The entire verse functions as a **Promise** of supernatural enablement, offering comfort and courage in the face of anticipated persecution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 13:11 is a cornerstone passage affirming the Holy Spirit's active role in empowering believers for witness, particularly in hostile circumstances. It is a profound declaration of divine providence, assuring disciples that God will not abandon them when they stand for His name. This promise underscores the New Testament emphasis on the Spirit as the source of wisdom, utterance, and power for the church's mission. It teaches that true witness is not born of human cleverness or careful planning, but of a radical dependence on the Spirit's immediate inspiration, transforming moments of vulnerability into opportunities for God's truth to be proclaimed with supernatural authority.

* [Matthew 10:19-20](/matthew/10-19-20 "Matthew 10:19-20 - Parallel Promise of the Spirit's Guidance")
* [Luke 12:11-12](/luke/12-11-12 "Luke 12:11-12 - The Holy Spirit Will Teach You in That Hour")
* [Acts 4:8](/acts/4-8 "Acts 4:8 - Peter Filled with the Holy Spirit Before the Sanhedrin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 13:11 offers timeless wisdom for believers navigating moments of pressure, confrontation, or opportunity to articulate their faith. While directly addressing literal persecution, its principle of Spirit-led utterance extends to all circumstances where we are called to speak on behalf of Christ. This verse does not excuse us from diligent study of God's Word or thoughtful preparation when possible, but rather liberates us from anxious reliance on our own intellect or rhetorical skill in high-stakes situations. It encourages a posture of humble dependence, reminding us that when we are truly yielded to God, He can speak through us with clarity, power, and truth far beyond our natural abilities. This promise invites us to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, trusting that He is our ever-present Helper, ready to equip us for every challenge and to transform our weaknesses into platforms for divine glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what situations do I tend to rely most on my own preparation and least on the Holy Spirit's immediate guidance?**
* **How does the promise of the Holy Spirit speaking through me alleviate anxiety about sharing my faith or defending Christian truth?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater sense of dependence on the Holy Spirit in my daily interactions and moments of witness?**

### FAQ
**Does "take no thought beforehand" mean I shouldn't prepare at all for ministry or speaking engagements?**

Answer: No, this verse does not forbid all preparation or diligent study. The Greek words _promerimnáō_ and _meletáō_ carry the nuance of "anxious preoccupation" and "rehearsing/practicing" in a way that relies solely on human effort. Jesus is specifically addressing situations of sudden, hostile interrogation or persecution where disciples might naturally be consumed by fear and attempt to craft a clever defense. In such moments, the command is to release that anxiety and trust in the Holy Spirit's immediate inspiration. For general ministry or teaching, the Bible encourages diligent study and preparation ([2 Timothy 2:15](/2_timothy/2-15 "2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to Show Yourself Approved")). The principle is to depend on the Spirit's power to animate and guide even prepared words, and to trust Him completely when no human preparation is possible or sufficient.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 13:11 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ Himself, who perfectly embodied Spirit-led utterance and absolute dependence on the Father. Jesus, though fully God, consistently ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit, speaking words "given" to Him by the Father ([John 12:49-50](/john/12-49-50 "John 12:49-50 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Words")). His own trials before the Sanhedrin and Pilate, where He often remained silent or spoke only Spirit-empowered truth, prefigure the disciples' experience. As the ultimate witness, Jesus promised His followers that the same Spirit who empowered His ministry would indwell and equip them to continue His mission, particularly when facing opposition. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sends from the Father ([John 15:26](/john/15-26 "John 15:26 - The Spirit of Truth from the Father")), is the very presence of Christ empowering His church. Thus, when the Holy Spirit speaks through believers in moments of trial, it is Christ Himself, through His Spirit, continuing to bear witness to the world, demonstrating His abiding presence and authority even in the midst of suffering and persecution ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise to Be With Us Always")).

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

Luke 21:14

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

Luke 21:15

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Luke 12:11

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:

Luke 12:12

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Matthew 10:19

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.

Matthew 10:21

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against [their] parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Acts 6:10

And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.