Luke 21:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: This will be your opportunity to bear witness.

NIV: And so you will bear testimony to me.

NASB: It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.

CSB: This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.

NLT: But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.

KJV: And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

NKJV: But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.

Jesus has warned the disciples that the temple in Jerusalem is going to be destroyed. They want to know the signs that will occur before this happens (Luke 21:5–7). Instead, Jesus gives them a broader overview of what must happen before He returns.

After His ascension and before the temple falls to the Romans, Jesus' followers will face all kinds of persecution; Jesus warned them of this before (Luke 6:22). But this is also a great opportunity. There's little chance a fisherman or a tent maker would get the undivided attention of a governor or a king. Persecution will make this happen (Luke 21:12). At some point, presumably, Paul even speaks to the emperor (Acts 25:11).

Sometimes, this persecution will result in the disciple's death (Acts 12:1–2). At other times, a king will listen intently but ultimately reject the message (Acts 26:28). But sometimes the gospel will succeed, and leaders will turn from their false gods to follow Jesus (Acts 13:12).

This will only be possible because the Holy Spirit, Himself, will give them the words. In fact, they should not try to prepare an argument in advance (Luke 21:14–15). That doesn't mean they shouldn't know how to share about Jesus (1 Peter 3:15). Nor does it mean believers shouldn't think of how to respond to questions or challenges about their faith. Rather, the point is that rather than trying to prepare a "script," or obsess over such things, Christians should let the Holy Spirit guide their words in those moments.

Luke 21:12–19 warns Jesus' disciples that their newfound admiration amongst the people will be short-lived. Soon, religious leaders will use the Roman government to arrest them, and their relatives will even conspire for their deaths. Still, they will have the opportunity to share the gospel and God will hold them safe, even as they die. Although Jesus is speaking to the disciples, the warning applies to the whole church age. The church's persecution is also found in Matthew 24:9–13 and Mark 13:9–13.

Luke 21 records the last of Jesus' teachings before the Last Supper, His arrest, and His crucifixion. Luke 21:1–4 fits well with the themes of Luke 19:28—20:47. Luke 21:5–11 describes how false messiahs, war, and natural disasters will become normal. Luke 21:12–24 prophesies challenges prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Luke 21:25–28 moves to the tribulation. Luke 21:29–36 is Jesus' instructions about the disciples' lives and ministries with respect to the delayed kingdom. Luke 21:37–38 is a note about Jesus' schedule in the days between the triumphal entry and His arrest.

Luke 21 finishes the presentation of Jesus in Jerusalem as the Messiah of the Jews. This lays a foundation for the Passion Narrative: the final days before Jesus is crucified. Luke 19:28—20:47 covered most of the discussions about His authority which are completed with His words about the widow's sacrificial offering (Luke 21:1–4). The rest of the chapter records His warnings to the disciples about the violence they, the temple, Jerusalem, and the world will face between His ascension and His return. Matthew 24 and Mark 12:41—13:37 cover the same material.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.