Luke 21:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,

NIV: But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.

NASB: So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;

CSB: Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time,

NLT: So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,

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

NKJV: Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;

Between Jesus' ascension and His second coming, His followers will face hardships. The disciples are told very specifically to expect persecution: trials at the synagogues, imprisonment, and accusations before kings and governors. But this will happen for Jesus' sake. They will have the chance to speak about Jesus' resurrection in front of powerful authorities (Luke 21:12–13).

Ironically, they are not to prepare speeches for these trials. They are to let the Holy Spirit determine their words. He will tell them what to say so their logic is sound and their audience will recognize the truth (Luke 21:15). Whether the rulers accept the truth is a different issue.

That doesn't mean the disciples should be completely unprepared. The phrasing here is that they should not "meditate:" to prepare a speech or contrived script beforehand. Rather, they should trust that if they know their faith, and trust in their God, the rest will take care of itself. Jesus has spent three years with the Twelve as well as time with thousands of others who periodically followed Him. Peter, one of those Twelve, will say we are to be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15). It works. When Peter and John—two "uneducated, common men"—defend themselves before the Sanhedrin, the council members are "astonished" (Acts 4:13). They can't argue with their words or the miracle that gives evidence their words are from God. They can do nothing but threaten them (Acts 4:14–22).

Jesus' followers not only know the truth about Him, but they are also wise in the ways of the world. When Paul gives his defense before Agrippa, he is well-versed in the legal format of the defense he is expected to make (Acts 26:1–23). Governor Festus thinks Paul is out of his mind, but because Paul relies on the Holy Spirit to provide his words, King Agrippa knows Paul is telling the truth. He just doesn't want to accept it (Acts 26:24–29).

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.