Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 13:11
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.
11. take no thought beforehand ] Rather, be not anxious beforehand, or distracted beforehand with anxiety. “Nyle e 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, Cs. ii. 1. 186, says,
“If he love Csar, all that he can do
Is to himself, take thought and die for Csar,”
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.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Mar 13:11
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up.
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.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
See Poole on “Mat 10:19-20“. By
take no thought, he means, take no anxious thoughts to disquiet yourselves.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. But when they shall lead you,and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand“Be notanxious beforehand.”
what ye shall speak, neitherdo ye premeditate“Be not filled with apprehension, in theprospect of such public appearances for Me, lest ye should bringdiscredit upon My name, nor think it necessary to prepare beforehandwhat ye are to say.”
but whatsoever shall be givenyou in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but theHoly Ghost(See on Mt 10:19, 20.)
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up,…. Lead to councils and courts of judicature, and deliver up to kings and rulers, to the civil magistrate, to be punished by the secular arm:
take no thought before hand; be not previously anxious, and carefully solicitous, in a distressing way:
what ye shall speak: to kings and rulers, by way of apology for yourselves, and your own innocence, and in defence of the Gospel:
neither do ye premeditate; or “meditate”, as the generality of copies read: Beza says in one copy it is read, “premeditate”: and so in one of Stephens’s, as we render it: this clause is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions:
but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour; whatever shall be immediately suggested to your thoughts, be put into your minds, and laid upon your hearts:
that speak ye; freely and boldly without the fear of men:
for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost: not but that they did speak, but they were not the principal authors, either of the matter they spoke, or of the words and language in which they spoke; they were only the instruments of the Holy Ghost; they spoke as they were moved by him: hence their wisdom and eloquence in their self-defence, were amazing, and their arguments strong and unanswerable; [See comments on Mt 10:19],
[See comments on Mt 10:20],
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Be not anxious beforehand what ye shall speak ( ). Negative with present imperative to make a general prohibition or habit. Jesus is not here referring to preaching, but to defences made before these councils and governors. A typical example is seen in the courage and skill of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin in Acts. The verb is from (), to be drawn in opposite directions, to be distracted. See on Mt 6:25. They are not to be stricken with fright beforehand, but to face fearlessly those in high places who are seeking to overthrow the preaching of the gospel. There is no excuse here for the lazy preacher who fails to prepare his sermon out of the mistaken reliance upon the Holy Spirit. They will need and will receive the special help of the Holy Spirit (cf. Joh 14-16).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
They lead [] . Present subjunctive; better perhaps, may be leading. While you are going along in custody to the judgment – seat, do not be worrying about your defences.
Take no thought beforehand [ ] . See on Mt 6:25.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “But when they shall lead you,” (kai hotan agosin humas) “And when they lead you all,” the civil and religious leaders under charges and accusations of civil or religious wrong, Luk 21:12.
2) “And deliver you up,” (paradidontes)”Deliver you up or over,” for judgement or trial, as also forewarned, Mat 10:19.
3) “Take no thought beforehand,” (me promerimnate) “Do not be anxious beforehand ” that is do not have anxiety within you or be over anxious, Mat 10:20.
4) “What ye shall speak,” (ti lalesete) “What you are to say,” Low you are to speak or what you are to say, Luk 21:14.
5) “Neither do ye premeditate:- (an interpolation) of the above phrase “thought beforehand, ” Act 6:10.
6) “But whatsoever shall be given you in that hour,”(all’ ho ean dothe humin en ekein te hora) “But whatever is given you (by the Holy Spirit) in that hour,” Luk 21:15, as poured out by the Holy Spirit, Act 2:4; Luk 21:13.
7) “That speak ye: for it is not ye that speak,” (touto laleite ou gareste humeishoi lalountes) “Speak it,” (what is given) “Because you all are not the ones speaking,” or pre-selecting the words.
8) “But the Holy Ghost.” (alla to pneuma to hagion) “But it is the Holy Spirit,” that is speaking (to speak) through you all, to give you all your defense, Act 4:8-12; Act 4:31.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Mar 13:11
. Neither premeditate. This sentence, as well as the one which immediately follows, we have explained (131) under Mat 10:19 Our Lord’s design in these words is, to relieve the disciples from that anxiety which interferes with the cheerful discharge of our duty, when we doubt our inability to sustain the burden. Not that he wishes us to fall asleep in indolent security, for nothing is more advantageous than to have such a consciousness of our weakness as produces humility and excites to prayer. But Christ advises us to cast all our cares into the bosom of our Father, so that, relying on his promised aid, we may pursue our course with cheerfulness. The promise is stated in different words by Luke; not that Christ will deliver his people from death, (for this must not always be expected,) but that he will give them a mouth and wisdom, to confound their adversaries. Now though Christ supplies them both with presence of mind and with ability to speak, yet I look upon these two words as connected by that figure of speech which is called hypallage; as if Christ had promised that he would guide their tongues, so as to enable them to make a wise and suitable reply.
He adds, that this wisdom will be victorious against all their enemies, because they will not be able to contradict, or to oppose it. Not that their impudence will yield the palm to truth, but because that truth, which they in vain strive to oppose, will triumph over their mad presumption. Would that all who are called upon to make a confession of their faith would rely on that assurance; for the power and majesty of the Spirit would be displayed in a different manner for overthrowing the ministers of Satan. Now that we are partly carried away by our own feelings, and, swelled with pride, rush on heedlessly, or advance farther than is proper, and partly confine ourselves within the limits of improper timidity, sad experience shows that we are deprived of the grace of God and the assistance of the Spirit. As Christ affirms, according to Matthew and Mark, that it is the Spirit of the Father that speaketh in us, (Mat 10:10; Mar 13:11,) and here declares that he will give a mouth, we infer that it is His prerogative to fortify us by the Spirit.
(131) Harmony, vol. 1, p.453.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(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. Marks use of the more definite term reminds us of Mar. 12:36 (where see Note), and may, probably, be connected with St. Peters habitual language. (Comp. Act. 2:33-38; Act. 8:15; Act. 10:47; 2Pe. 1:21.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
“And when they lead you and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you will say, but whatever is given to you in that hour, that speak, for it is not you who speak but the Holy Spirit.”
Although they would be brought before powerful men they need not be anxious as to what they would say. For God would provide them with words. The Holy Spirit would be in them. Thus they must concentrate on their essential message even while detained, and trust God through His Holy Spirit to provide them with their defence when it was needed. Compare again Mat 10:19-20 and Luk 12:11-12. This is ever true for His people. At the hour of their great need He will direct their words. Here we have a similar promise of the Holy Spirit as a Helper to that in John 14-16.
‘Whatever is given you.’ That is, ‘whatever God gives you’ but avoiding mentioning the divine name.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
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 , whereunto Beza thinks our Saviour here aludeth.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
11. ] Mark ( Mar 13:10-11 ) is peculiar to himself. Luke ( Luk 21:14-15 ) has something very like them Matt. nothing: but they occur Mat 10:19 , where see note.
Meyer remarks that is the regular technical word for premeditating a discourse in contrast to extempore speaking.
Observe the emphasis on it is not you at all , but another.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 13:11 gives counsel for Apostles placed at the bar of kings and rulers. They are not to be anxious beforehand ( , here only in N.T.) even as to what they shall say, not to speak of what shall happen to them as the result of the trial. Their apologia will be given to them. They will not be the real speakers ( ), but the Holy Spirit. Lk. has “I” here: Christ = the Holy Ghost. This comforting word is wanting in Mt., and whether it was really spoken at this time must remain uncertain. Mt. describes with more detail the internal troubles of the Christian community mutual treachery, false prophets (within, not without, like the false Messiahs of Mar 13:5 ), lawlessness, chilling of early enthusiasm all implying the lapse of a considerable time, and all to happen before the end of Jerusalem. (Mar 13:10-12 .) For all this Mk. gives only the brief statement in Mar 13:12 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
when = whenever.
lead = may be leading.
take no thought = be not full of care beforehand. See note on Mat 6:25.
no. Greek. me. App-105.
in. Greek. en. App-104. Not the same word as in verses: Mar 13:6, Mar 13:9, Mar 13:16.
not. Greek ou. App-105. Not the same word as in verses: Mar 13:2, Mar 13:7, Mar 13:15, Mar 2:16, Mar 2:21, Mar 2:30, Mar 2:31.
the Holy Ghost. See App-101.:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
11.] Mark (Mar 13:10-11) is peculiar to himself. Luke (Luk 21:14-15) has something very like them-Matt. nothing: but they occur Mat 10:19, where see note.
Meyer remarks that is the regular technical word for premeditating a discourse-in contrast to extempore speaking.
Observe the emphasis on -it is not you at all, but another.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 13:11. , neither do ye meditate) Not merely you have need of no anxiety, but not even of premeditation.-, this very thing) the whole of it, and without fear. [For it is with that aim it is supplied to you.-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
and deliver: Mar 13:9, Mat 10:17, Mat 10:21, Act 3:13
take: Exo 4:10-12, Jer 1:6-9, Dan 3:16-18, Mat 10:19, Mat 10:20, Luk 12:11, Luk 12:12, Luk 21:14, Luk 21:15, Act 2:4, Act 4:8-22, Act 4:31, Act 6:10, Act 6:15, Act 7:55
shall be: Isa 50:4, Joh 3:27, Eph 6:19, Eph 6:20, Jam 1:5
but: 2Sa 23:2, 1Co 2:13, Eph 3:5, 1Pe 1:12
Reciprocal: Exo 4:12 – General Dan 3:15 – we are Mat 6:25 – Take Joh 14:26 – Holy Ghost
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1
The apostles were assured of moral and. spiritual victory even though they were brought before the courts. The things necessary to be said would be given them by inspiration from the Father.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 13:11. Be not anxious beforehand. Peculiar to Mark, though Luk 21:14-15, resembles it. The same thought occurs in Mat 10:19-20. The two discourses have other points of resemblance. Neither do ye premeditate, is to be omitted.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
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.
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.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
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.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
13:11 But when they shall lead [you], and deliver you up, {b} take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither {c} 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.
(b) We are not forbidden to think beforehand, but we are willed to beware of that pensive carefulness by which men discourage themselves, which proceeds from distrust and lack of confidence and sure hope of God’s assistance. See Geneva “Mat 6:27”
(c) By any kind of made-up and cunning type of story to tell.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Jesus promised that God will give special grace (help) to disciples who want to bear a good testimony when arrested and tried for their faith (Mar 13:9). The Holy Spirit will give such disciples the appropriate words to speak then. Jesus did not forbid thought but anxious care (cf. Luk 21:15). [Note: Taylor, p. 508.] This promise should give disciples in these situations freedom from unnecessary anxiety. However, Jesus did not promise release from suffering.
"History bears ample witness to the fact that Christians on trial for their faith have been amazed themselves at the aptness of the answers that flashed into their minds at the opportune moment." [Note: Hiebert, p. 321.]