When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Parallel Translations
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When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
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But when they leade you and present you toke noo thought afore honde what ye shall saye nether ymagion: but whatsoever is geve you at the same tyme that speake. For it shall not be ye that shall speake but the holy goost.
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But when they leade you, and deliuer you vp, be not carefull before hand, neither studie what ye shall say: but what is giuen you at the same time, that speake: for it is not ye that speake, but the holy Ghost.
Cross-references (23)
Passages linked to Mark 13:11 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Luke 21:14-15 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
- Luke 12:11-12 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”
- Matthew 10:19-21 But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
- Acts 6:10 They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
- 1 Corinthians 2:13 We also speak these things, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.
- 1 Peter 1:12 To them it was revealed, that they served not to themselves, but to you, in these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.
- 2 Samuel 23:2 “Yahweh’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.
- Isaiah 50:4 The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He awakens morning by morning, he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
- Jeremiah 1:6-9 Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.” But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says Yahweh. Then Yahweh stretched out his hand, and touched my mouth. Then Yahweh said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
- Exodus 4:10-12 Moses said to Yahweh, “O Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” Yahweh said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn’t it I, Yahweh? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.”
- Acts 2:4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
- Acts 4:8-22 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him. He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus. Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it. But so that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.” They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.” When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done. For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
- Acts 4:31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
- Ephesians 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit,
- Mark 13:9 But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.
- John 3:27 John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.
- James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
- Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.”
- Matthew 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.
- Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.
- Ephesians 6:19-20 on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
- Acts 6:15 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
- Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (15 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain By any kind of artificial and cunning kind of…
By any kind of artificial and cunning kind of tale what to speak.
We are not forbidden to think beforehand, but pensive carefulness whereby men discourage themselves, which proceedeth from distrust, and want of confidence and sure hope of God’s assistance: that carefulness we are willed to beware of, see also Matt. 6:27.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver…
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.
Ver. 11. Neither do ye premeditate] Con not your answers, as boys use to do their orations and school exercises, which the Greeks call μελετας, whereunto Beza thinks our Saviour here aludeth.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain See Poole on "Mat 10:19-20". By
See Poole on "Mat 10:19-20". By
take no thought, he means, take no anxious thoughts to disquiet yourselves.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain Here our Saviour acquaints his disciples, that for preaching…
Here our Saviour acquaints his disciples, that for preaching the gospel they should be brought before kings and rulers; but advises them, when they should be so brought, not to be anxiously thoughtful and solicitous what they shall say: for it should be suggested to them by the Holy Ghost what to say in that hour.
Note here, That this promise seems to be peculiar to the apostles, and that is belonged to them only, when they were brought before kings and rulers, to plead the cause of Christ.
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Learn hence, That though the truth of Christ may be opposed, yet the defenders of it should never be ashamed: for rather than they shall want a tongue to plead for it, God himself will prompt them by his Holy Spirit, and suggest such arguments to them as all their enemies shall not be able to gainsay.
Observe, farther, How our Saviour describes the enmity of the world against the preachers of the gospel, to be such as would overcome and extinguish even the natural affection of the dearest relations one towards another: The brother shall betray the brother to death.
Observe, lastly, How our Saviour comforts his disciples, that there would be an end of these their sharp and bitter sufferings: assuring them, that if their faith and patience did hold out unto the end, they should be saved. This is our comfort, our sufferings for Christ must be sharp, but they shall be short; if our sufferings for Christ end not in our lifetime, they will end with our lives.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Now the brother shall betray the brother to death,....…
Now the brother shall betray the brother to death,.... Signifying, that such should be the rage of men, particularly the Jews, against Christ and his Gospel, that those that were in the nearest relation, were of the same flesh and blood, children of the same parents, should betray and deliver up each other into the hands of the civil magistrate, in order to be put to death:
and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death; things unnatural and shocking; See Gill on Mat 10:21.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain The Holy Ghost will help you. But do not…
The Holy Ghost will help you. But do not depend upon any other help For all the nearest ties will be broken.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 11. Neither - premeditate] This is wanting in…
Verse 11. Neither - premeditate] This is wanting in BDL, five others, Coptic, AEthiopic, Vulgate, Itala. Griesbach leaves it doubtful. On this verse see Mt 10:19.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Mar 13:11. Take no thought what ye shall speak…
Mar 13:11. Take no thought what ye shall speak — Be not solicitous beforehand what ye shall say in your defence, to vindicate yourselves and your religion from the unrighteous charges and aspersions of your enemies. But whatsoever shall be given you — And strongly suggested to your minds; in that hour, that speak ye — Boldly and resolutely; for it is not you that speak, but the Holy Ghost — Who shall assuredly direct, and even dictate to you what you shall say at such times. For, as it is really my cause in which you are engaged, therefore, though you are ignorant and unlearned men, and so may be apprehensive you shall be confounded in the presence of persons who are, in rank and education, so much your superiors; yet depend upon it, I will give you such wisdom and eloquence, that your persecutors shall be even astonished at the freedom and propriety with which you shall express yourselves, according to the various occasions which arise. See notes on Mat 10:19; Luk 21:14-18.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Neither do ye premeditate - Do not think beforehand,…
Neither do ye premeditate - Do not think beforehand, or “prepare” an answer. You know not what the accusations will be, and God will furnish you with a reply that shall be adapted to the occasion.
Not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit - This is a full promise that they should be inspired, and consequently their defenses recorded in the Acts of the Apostles are the words of the Holy Spirit. There could be no more explicit promise that they should be under an infallible guidance, and we are not left to doubt that they were taught of God. At the same time, this was a most desirable and gracious aid. They were illiterate, unknown, without power. They were unfit of themselves to make the important statements of religion which were requisite, but God gave them power, and they spake with a wisdom, fearlessness, pungency, and ability which no other men have ever manifested - full proof that these illiterate fishermen were under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 11. take no thought beforehand] Rather, be not anxious…
11. take no thought beforehand] Rather, be not anxious beforehand, or distracted beforehand with anxiety. “Nyle þe penke what ye schulen speke,” Wyclif. “Thought,” when our translation was made, signified undue care or anxiety. Thus Bishop Ridley in the Account of the Disputation at Oxford, 1544, says, “No person of any honesty, without thinking, could abide to hear the like spoken by a most vile varlet;” and Shakespeare, Jul, Cæs. ii. 1. 186, says,
“If he love Cæsar, all that he can do
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Is to himself, take thought and die for Cæsar,”
and Hamlet iii. 1. 84,
“And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought,”
and Ant. and Cleop. iii. 13. 1,
“Cleo. What shall we do, Enobarbus?
Eno. Think, and die.”
See the Bible Word-Book, sub loc.; and Davies, Bible English, pp. 99, 100.
but whatsoever shall be given you] Comp. Mat_10:19-20, where the words occur as a portion of our Lord’s charge to His Twelve Apostles. “These were very weighty words for the Roman Christians, at a time when the martyrdom of the Apostles Peter and Paul, in Rome, was about to take place.” Lange.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (11) It is not ye that speak, but the…
(11) It is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.—In the parallel passage of Mat_10:20 we have, “the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” In Luk_21:15, “I will give you a mouth and wisdom.” St. Mark’s use of the more definite term reminds us of Mar_12:36 (where see Note), and may, probably, be connected with St. Peter’s habitual language. (Comp. Act_2:33-38; Act_8:15; Act_10:47; 2Pe_1:21.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain And when they lead you to judgment, and deliver…
And when they lead you to judgment, and deliver you up, be not anxious beforehand what ye shall speak. Our Lord does not mean by this that they were not to premeditate a prudent and wise answer Rut he means that they were not to be too anxious about it. In St. Luke (Luk_21:15) he says, "I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay." So here, it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost who shall inspire you with wisdom and courage. The words "neither do ye premeditate" (mhde meletate) are omitted in the Revised Version, as not having sufficient authority.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain But when they shall lead you, and deliver you…
Mar_13:11
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up.
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The disciples led, delivered, and taught
Our Lord is here foretelling the persecutions which the disciples would be called upon to suffer for the gospels sake, and is arming them against the errors, the deceits, and the cruelties of those times. He is also enjoining upon them how they are to conduct themselves under the subtlety and fury of the oppressor, and is giving them directions which, if they rightly follow, will not only determine the excellence of their discipleship, but the certainty of their triumph over the jeopardy and envy of circumstances and foes. (See Mar_13:9-13.) Dealing directly with the eleventh verse, we see-
I. That when suffering persecution the disciples were to be led, and not driven. But when they shall lead you. It is always better to be led than forced; more is to be gained from obedience than coercion. We are led, or we lose that obedience which constitutes the soul of godliness. We follow, or we are not led as Christ was and would have us to be. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, etc. Stephen, the martyr, was led; so Paul the apostle. So also was Ridley and Latimer, each ending their earthly lives in the very track and spirit of their Lord and Master. But observe again-
II. The disciples were to be delivered in opposition to becoming resistful and violently taken sacrifices. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up. Both led and delivered. Not to be led, and then to take a final stand of opposition. The deliverance must not be less loyal and true than the leading has been. The sacrifice must be complete. Begun in being led, in true following, it must not end in rebellious resistance and forsaking. No; we are to be delivered up, not thrust up-self-offered and complying rather than conflicting with our foes. (See Isa_50:6; 1Pe_2:21-23). Then further, the text teaches-
III. That in times of persecution the disciples were not to prepare and to rely upon mechanical defences. Take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate; but whatsoever, etc. The reasons for this are evident. Self-thought, self-prepared plans of defence, would-
1. Disturb and disorder their minds. Scheming for words of reply and methods of escape would result in mental distraction. They would be confused. And, moreover, trusting to means of self-defence would-
2. Deny and neutralize the proper office and power of the Holy Spirit. Whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Thus, then, acting as true believers should-serving Christ fearlessly, all our self-reserve given up to His guidance and power-we shall find the Holy Spirit (in all those cases morally correspondent to the circumstances of our text) to-
(a) Sufficiently enlighten our minds.
(b) To be timely and powerful in the exercise of His help. Either the help of deliverance, or that of loyal resignation; complete escape, or patient endurance.
In illustration and proof of these, see Exo_4:10-12; Jer_1:7-9; Luk_21:14-15; 1Co_2:13. In this aspect of heavens cause the answer and the help must be from heaven, and not from the earth. A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven (Joh_3:27). Here alone is the true light and the power that prevails. It is therefore plain-
IV. That where the Holy Spirit thus operates all human self-assertion is suppressed. For it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. And this takes place-
1. For our sake as Christs true disciples. This is the victory He gives, and without which we could not overcome the world.
2. To prevent self-glorying. In these crises the tongue of the learned and the pen of a ready writer come from God. Human sagacity can claim no credit. This wisdom is not of man, lest he should boast. And-
3. To secure the Divine victory and praise. To Him who directs and speaks belongs the glory. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Thine, therefore is the victory, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. (Thomas Colclough.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 hand you over
hand you over
Here this means to put people under the control of the authorities. AT: "give you over to the authorities" (See: Idiom)
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but the Holy Spirit
The words "will speak" are understood from the previous phrase. AT: "but the Holy Spirit will speak through you" (See: Ellipsis)
Brother will deliver up brother to death
"One brother will put another brother under the control of people who will kill him" or "Brothers will put their brothers under the control of people who will kill them." This will happen many times to many different people. Jesus is not speaking of just one person and his brother.
Brother ... brother
This refers to both brothers and sisters. AT: "People ... their siblings" (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)
a father his child
The words "will deliver up to death" are understood from the previous phrase. This means that some fathers will betray their children, and this betrayal will cause their children to be killed. AT: "fathers will deliver up their children to death" or "fathers will betray their children, handing them over to be killed" (See: Ellipsis and Idiom)
Children will rise up against their parents
This means that children will oppose their parents and betray them. AT: "Children will oppose their parents" (See: Idiom)
cause them to be put to death
This means that the authorities will sentence the parents to be put to death. This can be stated in active form. AT: "cause the authorities to sentence the parents to die" or "the authorities will kill the parents" (See: Active or Passive)
You will be hated by everyone
This can be stated in active form. AT: "Everyone will hate you" (See: Active or Passive)
because of my name
Jesus uses the metonym "my name" to refer to himself. AT: "because of me" or "because you believe in me" (See: Metonymy)
whoever endures to the end, that person will be saved
This may be stated in active form. AT: "whoever endures to the end, God will save that person" or "God will save whoever endures to the end" (See: Active or Passive)
whoever endures to the end
Here "endures" represents continuing to be faithful to God even while suffering. AT: "whoever suffers and stays faithful to God to the end" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
to the end
Possible meanings are 1) "to the end of his life" or 2) "to the end of that time of trouble"
translationWords
hour, hours
Holy Spirit
die
endure
save
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 13:11 A word of encouragement follows the warning of…
13:11 A word of encouragement follows the warning of 13:9. Jesus’ followers need not fear what they should say in these circumstances. The early followers of Jesus were generally uneducated and without political influence (see Acts 4:10-17; 1 Cor 1:26), so this assurance would have comforted them. Believers are not prohibited from thinking about what they will say, but they need not worry about it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.