Matthew 10:19

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when {G3752} they deliver {G3860} you {G5209} up {G3860}, take {G3309} no {G3361} thought {G3309} how {G4459} or {G2228} what {G5101} ye shall speak {G2980}: for {G1063} it shall be given {G1325} you {G5213} in {G1722} that same {G1565} hour {G5610} what {G5101} ye shall speak {G2980}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But when they bring you to trial, do not worry about what to say or how to say it; when the time comes, you will be given what you should say.

Berean Standard Bible

But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say.

American Standard Version

But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 10:19 offers a profound promise of divine enablement to Jesus' disciples as they embark on their mission, particularly when facing persecution and legal scrutiny. It reassures them that in moments of intense pressure and interrogation, they are not to be anxious about what to say, for the Holy Spirit will supernaturally provide the exact words needed to bear witness to Christ in that very hour, transforming potential moments of fear into powerful opportunities for testimony.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' extensive "Missionary Discourse" in [Matthew 10](/matthew/10 "Matthew 10 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles"), where He commissions His twelve apostles and provides detailed instructions for their ministry. Immediately preceding [Matthew 10:19](/matthew/10-19 "Matthew 10:19 - Divine Provision for Witness"), Jesus issues stark warnings about the inevitable opposition and persecution they will encounter. He explicitly states that they will be "delivered up" to councils, scourged in synagogues, and brought before governors and kings for His sake as a testimony to both Jews and Gentiles ([Matthew 10:17-18](/matthew/10-17-18 "Matthew 10:17-18 - Warnings of Persecution")). Verse 19 directly addresses the disciples' natural concern about how to respond in such intimidating circumstances, offering a divine antidote to anxiety and a promise of supernatural assistance, which foreshadows the experiences of early Christian martyrs and apologists.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting involves the Roman occupation of Judea and the established Jewish religious authorities. Disciples of new or controversial movements were often subject to interrogation by both Jewish councils (like the Sanhedrin) and Roman magistrates. Synagogues served not only as places of worship but also as community centers where legal disputes could be heard and disciplinary actions, including scourging, could be administered. Being "delivered up" (παραδίδωμι) implies being handed over to these authorities for judgment. In such a context, public speaking skills, legal knowledge, and rhetorical prowess were highly valued, and the prospect of facing hostile interrogators would naturally induce fear and anxiety. Jesus' command challenges the conventional wisdom of the time, redirecting reliance from human preparation to divine intervention.

* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 10:19](/matthew/10-19 "Matthew 10:19 - Divine Provision for Witness") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Provision and Empowerment**, highlighting God's active and immediate involvement in equipping His servants, especially when they are vulnerable and under duress. Secondly, it emphasizes **Trust Over Anxiety**, directly counteracting the human tendency to worry about future trials, instead calling for complete reliance on God's moment-by-moment grace. This theme resonates with Jesus' earlier teaching against anxiety in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry"). Thirdly, while not explicitly named here, parallel passages clearly identify the source of this divine utterance as the **Holy Spirit's Guidance** ([Mark 13:11](/mark/13-11 "Mark 13:11 - The Holy Spirit's Teaching") and [Luke 12:12](/luke/12-12 "Luke 12:12 - The Holy Spirit's Guidance")), establishing a crucial link between the Spirit's indwelling and empowering presence for witness. Finally, the verse transforms persecution into an opportunity for **Witness in Persecution**, assuring believers that their trials can become platforms for powerful testimony to the gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **deliver (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** (G3860) This verb means "to surrender, i.e. yield up, intrust, transmit." In this context, it specifically refers to being handed over or betrayed to authorities, often with hostile intent. It conveys the idea of being put into the hands of those who will judge or persecute.
* **take no thought (Greek, _merimnáō'_):** (G3309) This word means "to be anxious about," "to be worried," or "to be distracted by cares." It is a strong prohibition against debilitating anxiety or preoccupation with how one will articulate a defense, rather than a general command against careful preparation. The emphasis is on freedom from anxious concern.
* **given (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** (G1325) A primary verb meaning "to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)." Here, it is used in the divine passive voice, indicating that God Himself is the one who will provide or bestow the words. This highlights the supernatural and divine source of the wisdom and speech, emphasizing that it comes from a power beyond human capability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when they deliver you up,"**: This clause sets the specific context for the promise: a moment of confrontation and legal jeopardy. The "they" refers to the hostile authorities or accusers mentioned in the preceding verses, who will hand the disciples over for trial or judgment. It anticipates a challenging and potentially dangerous situation.
* **"take no thought how or what ye shall speak:"**: This is a direct command from Jesus, addressing the natural human tendency to worry or strategize about one's defense in such a crisis. The phrase "take no thought" (μεριμνάω) is a prohibition against anxious preoccupation, not against thoughtful preparation in general. It calls for a radical reliance on God's provision rather than human foresight or cleverness in these specific, high-pressure moments.
* **"for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak."**: This is the divine promise and the reason for the preceding command. The "for" (γάρ) introduces the ground or reason. The phrase "it shall be given you" uses a divine passive, clearly indicating that God is the active agent who will provide the words. This provision is immediate ("in that same hour") and precise ("what ye shall speak"), assuring the disciples that they will be supernaturally equipped to articulate their testimony or defense exactly when it is needed.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 10:19 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Passive**, evident in the phrase "it shall be given you." This grammatical construction attributes the action (giving the words) to God without explicitly naming Him, thereby emphasizing His sovereign and supernatural agency. This device highlights that the words will not originate from human intellect or preparation but from a divine source. Another device is **Hyperbole** in the command "take no thought." While it literally means "do not worry," the intensity of the prohibition against anxious thought about *how* or *what* to speak conveys a hyperbole intended to shock the disciples into a posture of absolute trust, rather than implying a complete absence of rational thought. It emphasizes the *quality* of thought (anxious preoccupation) rather than the act of thinking itself. Finally, the verse functions as a **Promise**, offering a direct assurance of divine aid to alleviate fear and empower witness, transforming a potentially terrifying scenario into an opportunity for God's glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 10:19 is a powerful testament to God's active involvement in the lives of His faithful witnesses, particularly during times of trial. It underscores the theological truth that Christian witness is ultimately a divine work, empowered by the Holy Spirit, rather than a mere human endeavor. This promise liberates believers from the burden of self-sufficiency in evangelism and apologetics, inviting them instead into a posture of humble dependence on God's immediate provision. It reinforces the theme of God's sovereignty over all circumstances, even hostile ones, ensuring that His purposes will be fulfilled through the testimony of His people. The verse also implicitly connects to the broader biblical theme of divine wisdom being granted to those who seek it, especially when facing opposition for righteousness' sake.

* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious")
* [1 Peter 3:15](/1_peter/3-15 "1 Peter 3:15 - Always Be Prepared to Give a Defense")
* [Acts 4:8-13](/acts/4-8-13 "Acts 4:8-13 - Peter Filled with the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 10:19 offers immense comfort and practical guidance for believers today, especially in a world that can be increasingly hostile to Christian truth. It reminds us that our effectiveness in bearing witness to Christ does not depend on our eloquence, intellectual prowess, or ability to anticipate every argument. Instead, it hinges on our willingness to trust God implicitly, even when feeling unprepared or inadequate. This promise is not an excuse for laziness in studying God's Word or understanding our faith; rather, it is an assurance for those unexpected, high-stakes moments when we are called to defend our convictions or share the Gospel under pressure. It encourages us to cultivate a life of deep dependence on the Holy Spirit, knowing that He is our advocate and our voice, enabling us to speak truth with courage and clarity, transforming moments of fear into opportunities for divine testimony.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific situations do you tend to feel anxious about speaking for your faith, and how might the promise of Matthew 10:19 alleviate that anxiety?**
* **How does trusting in God's provision for your words impact your approach to evangelism or apologetics?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily conversations about faith?**

### FAQ
**Does "take no thought" mean Christians should not prepare for discussions or sermons?**

Answer: No, "take no thought" (μεριμνάω) specifically means "do not be anxious" or "do not worry." It's a prohibition against debilitating anxiety and preoccupation with human cleverness in moments of unexpected, high-pressure interrogation or persecution. It does not negate the importance of diligent study of God's Word, prayerful preparation for teaching, or thoughtful engagement with difficult questions in general. The context is about being delivered up to hostile authorities, where human preparation might fail, and divine intervention is promised. For example, [1 Peter 3:15](/1_peter/3-15 "1 Peter 3:15 - Always Be Prepared to Give a Defense") encourages believers to "always be prepared to give an answer," which implies thoughtful readiness, but with a reliance on God's Spirit for the right words in the moment.

**Is this promise only for the apostles, or does it apply to all believers?**

Answer: While the immediate audience was the twelve apostles, the principle of divine empowerment for witness, especially in the face of opposition, is broadly applicable to all believers. The New Testament consistently teaches that the Holy Spirit equips and empowers all Christians for ministry and witness (e.g., [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be Witnesses")). The experiences of early Christians like Peter and Stephen (e.g., [Acts 4:8](/acts/4-8 "Acts 4:8 - Peter Filled with the Holy Spirit") and [Acts 7:55](/acts/7-55 "Acts 7:55 - Stephen Full of the Holy Spirit")) demonstrate this promise in action beyond the initial twelve. Therefore, while the specific context was intense persecution, the underlying truth of God's Spirit enabling His people to speak for Him remains a vital promise for all who follow Christ and are called to bear His name.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 10:19 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He Himself perfectly embodied the principle of divine utterance under pressure, consistently speaking with authority and wisdom, even when confronted by hostile religious and political authorities. His responses to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and ultimately before Pilate ([John 18:33-37](/john/18-33-37 "John 18:33-37 - Jesus Before Pilate")) demonstrate a supernatural clarity and truthfulness that transcended human cunning. This promise to the disciples is a direct extension of Christ's own ministry, assuring them that the same divine power that enabled Him would now equip them. Furthermore, the "given" words are ultimately those that testify to Christ Himself, making the disciples' witness a continuation of His own mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send as the Helper ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")), is the very agent who provides these words, ensuring that all testimony ultimately points back to the Lordship of Jesus and the truth of His Gospel. Thus, the divine provision for speech is not merely for the disciples' defense, but for the ongoing revelation of Christ to a watching world.

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

Exodus 4:12

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

Mark 13:11

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.

Mark 13:13

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

2 Timothy 4:17

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

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:

Exodus 4:15

And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

Daniel 3:16

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter.