Luke 21:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

NIV: For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

NASB: for I will provide you eloquence and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to oppose or refute.

CSB: for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

NLT: for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!

KJV: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

NKJV: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

Jesus is explaining what the church and the world will experience before He returns at the end of history (Revelation 19:11–16). Specifically, He is warning the disciples how they will be persecuted. They will be kicked out of the synagogues, imprisoned, and forced to defend themselves before political leaders, even kings (Luke 21:12).

God will take advantage of their persecution. He will orchestrate opportunities for His followers to share the gospel before these leaders (Luke 21:13). Peter and John will be taken to the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1–6). Paul will face the Sanhedrin, two governors, a king, and possibly Caesar (Acts 23:1; 24:10; 25:12, 23).

But Jesus tells them not to over-prepare. He tells them not to write out a defense beforehand (Luke 21:14). They are to trust that the Holy Spirit will give them the right words to say; their years of teaching and personal diligence will fill in the rest.

This strategy works. The Sanhedrin has no counterargument to Peter and John's testimony and resorts to bullying (Acts 4:13–21). When the Sanhedrin finds the disciples have been ignoring their order to not teach Jesus' resurrection, they become angry because of the insubordination, not because they don't believe the disciples (Acts 5:17–40). The Sanhedrin doesn't bother listening to Paul's defense and instead finds the slightest offense as an excuse to strike him (Acts 23:2–5). Felix knows Paul is innocent but keeps him in prison because he wants a bribe (Acts 24:22–26). King Agrippa is also moved by Paul's testimony but follows his hard heart instead of what he knows is the truth (Acts 26:27–29).

Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit will give them words that cannot be contradicted. He doesn't tell them their words will always reap rewards. Even the best argument has no effect when the listener refuses to accept it (Matthew 13:15).

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.