Luke 21:14

14 {Therefore make up your minds} not to prepare in advance to speak in your own defense,

Luke 21:14 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 21:14

Settle it therefore in your hearts
Resolve on this in your minds, and let it be a rule never to be departed from: not to meditate before what you shall answer;
not to sit down, and study a form of words, and scheme of things, what to reply to the ensnaring questions, that may be thought would be asked, by kings and rulers, or any of the judges before whom they should be brought; it being natural for persons, especially of a low life, to be timorous and fearful, to appear before such great personages, and to be thoughtful and solicitous what to say to any question that may be asked them; (See Gill on Matthew 10:19).

Luke 21:14 In-Context

12 "But before all these [things], they will lay their hands on you and will persecute [you], handing [you] over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.

13 This will turn out to you for a [time of] witness.

14 {Therefore make up your minds} not to prepare in advance to speak in your own defense,

15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to resist or contradict.

16 And you will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put to death [some] of you.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "therefore place in your hearts"