Mark 13:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

NIV: Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

NASB: And when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you at that time; for you are not the ones speaking, but it is the Holy Spirit.

CSB: So when they arrest you and hand you over, don’t worry beforehand what you will say, but say whatever is given to you at that time, for it isn’t you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

NLT: But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

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.

NKJV: But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

Luke 21:14–15 words this a little differently: "Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.". Jesus basically says not to try to figure out beforehand how to make a defense before these kings and governors. The Holy Spirit will give such a defense that adversaries will not be able to contradict it. Of course this doesn't mean we won't face persecution, just that the persecution won't be justified.

The equipping of the Holy Spirit acts as a witness to others of the reality of Christ. When Stephen was first confronted before his arrest, his enemies "could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking" (Acts 6:10). When Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin and gave their testimonies, the council had a hard time believing such "uneducated, common men" could speak so boldly; "and they recognized [the men] had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). It is this God-sent power that equipped the prophets (Hebrews 1:1), and although we do not have new revelation to express, as the Old Testament prophets did, we can still rely on the Holy Spirit to help us spread the good news of Jesus.

Nor does this mean we shouldn't prepare our knowledge at all (1 Peter 3:15), only that we don't need to obsess about those particular moments. Being confident in the Holy Spirit doesn't mean being carelessly unprepared. The apostles prayed for boldness in the first days of the church, that they would be able to evangelize despite the threats (Acts 4:29–31). Paul, despite his natural forceful personality, asked for prayer that he would continue to be bold and not afraid (Ephesians 6:19–20). The prayers worked, and Paul was even able to give his defense under heavy persecution (2 Timothy 4:17).

One of the major themes of Mark 13 is that we need to watch in order to be prepared. Not that we have all the details worked out, but that our hearts are ready for whatever challenges we will face, whether that be false teachers (Mark 13:5–6), natural disasters (Mark 13:8), or the chance to share the gospel before we're executed.

Mark 13:3–13 occurs less than a week after a crowd celebrated their belief that Jesus is the Son of David, come to restore Israel from her Roman oppressors (Mark 11:10). The disciples think Jesus spent the last three years preparing them to rule in His royal court (Mark 10:35–45). Moments ago, Jesus prophesied it is the temple and Jerusalem that will be destroyed, not the Romans (Mark 13:1–2). The disciples were understandably confused, even as He continues His dire predictions. Jesus' warnings are also recorded in Matthew 24:4–14 and Luke 21:8–19.

Days before the crucifixion, the disciples praise the glory of the temple. When Jesus tells them the temple will be destroyed, they ask for signs of that coming destruction and of His return (Matthew 24:3). Jesus answers their second question with information crucial for believers in the end times, and any time. Tribulation Christians will face horrifying hardships and violence, as may believers of any era, but they must remember that the hardships will not last. Jesus will return so quickly, any attempt to live by the world's rules will be futile.

The prior chapter contained several parables and Jesus' answer to assorted questions. In this section, Jesus turns His teaching towards the disciples. He explains concepts related to the end times: the still-future period when God will complete His plan for judgment on sin. Those details include a prophecy about the impending destruction of the temple. The final chapters of Mark then describe events up to and after the crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of His enemies.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.