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Luke 12:11

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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:

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}:

“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;

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

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

Luke 12:11 offers a powerful promise and instruction from Jesus to His disciples concerning future persecution and trials. He assures them that when they are brought before religious or civil authorities because of their faith, they should not be anxious or preoccupied with what they are to say in their defense.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' broader discourse to His disciples, preparing them for the challenges and opposition they would face in proclaiming the Gospel. Preceding this, Jesus had warned against hypocrisy (Luke 12:1) and encouraged His followers not to fear human adversaries but to fear God alone. The mention of "synagogues, and magistrates, and powers" indicates the various religious and governmental bodies that would interrogate or persecute believers, highlighting the very real dangers they would encounter.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision in Persecution: Jesus promises that His followers will not be abandoned in times of severe trial. Their defense will be supernaturally provided, removing the burden of human preparation.
  • Trust Over Anxiety: The command "take ye no thought" directly addresses the human tendency to worry and pre-plan, especially under duress. It encourages a radical trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to equip His servants. This theme aligns with Jesus' broader teaching on not being anxious about life.
  • Guidance of the Holy Spirit: Although not explicitly stated in verse 11, the very next verse, Luke 12:12, reveals the source of this divine assistance: "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." This highlights the crucial role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to bear witness effectively, even in hostile environments.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "take ye no thought" translates the Greek verb merimnao (μεριμνάω), which means "to be anxious," "to worry," or "to be distracted by cares." It's not a prohibition against thoughtful consideration in general, but specifically against anxious preoccupation with one's defense when facing opposition for Christ's sake, as divine help is assured.

The terms "magistrates" (Greek: archas, meaning rulers or authorities) and "powers" (Greek: exousias, referring to established authorities or jurisdictions) collectively represent the full range of legal and governmental systems the disciples would encounter, from local Jewish councils to Roman officials.

Practical Application

While most believers today may not face literal courts or synagogues for their faith, the principle of Luke 12:11 remains profoundly relevant. When faced with pressure to compromise Christian convictions, public scrutiny, or opportunities to share one's faith in challenging circumstances, this verse encourages reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than human cleverness or fear. It reminds us that our ultimate defense and our most effective witness come from God's empowering presence, equipping us to speak truth with courage and clarity, even when we feel inadequate or unprepared.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 10:17 (9 votes)

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

  • Matthew 10:20 (9 votes)

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

  • Acts 4:5 (7 votes)

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

  • Acts 4:7 (7 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

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

  • Mark 13:9 (6 votes)

    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.