But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what you shall speak, neither do you premeditate: but whatever shall be given you in that hour, that speak you: for it is not you that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
and deliver.
Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
Matthew 10:17,21 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; …
Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
take.
Exodus 4:10-12 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue…
Jeremiah 1:6-9 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child…
Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter…
shall be.
Isaiah 50:4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Ephesians 6:19,20 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, …
but.
2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
do not worry beforehand what to say
Jesus instructs His followers not to be anxious about their defense. This echoes the teaching in Matthew 6:25-34 about trusting God for provision. The cultural context of the time involved legal proceedings where defendants were expected to prepare their defense, but Jesus emphasizes reliance on divine guidance over human preparation.
Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time
This suggests a reliance on divine inspiration rather than human wisdom. The phrase implies that God will provide the necessary words, similar to the promise in Exodus 4:12, where God assures Moses He will help him speak. This reflects a theme of divine provision and guidance throughout Scripture.
for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit
This highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as the source of wisdom and guidance. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is often depicted as the helper and advocate for believers (John 14:26). This assurance is fulfilled in instances like Acts 4:8, where Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks boldly before the Sanhedrin. Theologically, this underscores the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in believers, empowering them for witness and testimony.
Jesus is preparing His followers for real, future hostility—not a metaphor. They will be “arrested” and “handed over,” just as He was (Mark 14:43-46).
• Persecution is an expected path for those who belong to Him (2 Timothy 3:12; John 16:2).
• The Book of Acts validates this prophecy: Peter and John are seized (Acts 4:3), Stephen is dragged before the council (Acts 6:12), and Paul is repeatedly handed over (Acts 21:11, 33).
• Knowing this in advance steadies believers; nothing surprises the Lord (Psalm 31:15).
Jesus moves from the certainty of persecution to the command “do not worry.”
• Anxiety adds nothing (Philippians 4:6-7); it actually crowds out faith.
• The parallel passage in Luke 12:11 repeats the counsel: “do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say.”
• By forbidding advance worry, Christ invites moment-by-moment dependence rather than rehearsed self-defense.
The Lord shifts the focus from planning to receiving.
• The promised words are not self-generated; they are “given.”
• Acts provides vivid illustrations:
– Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” answers the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8-12).
– Stephen, “full of grace and power,” speaks with wisdom his opponents cannot withstand (Acts 6:8-10).
• This verse does not discourage study of Scripture; it forbids trusting prepared speeches more than the Spirit (2 Timothy 2:15 balanced with 1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
Here Jesus explains why worry is unnecessary—divine speech will flow through human lips.
• The Spirit’s indwelling presence accomplishes what natural eloquence cannot (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13).
• Peter attributes his boldness to God, not himself: “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
• When believers suffer for Christ, the Spirit of glory rests on them (1 Peter 4:14).
• The reliability of Scripture assures us this promise is as certain today as when first spoken.
Mark 13:11 reassures followers of Jesus that persecution is both foreseen and provided for. Arrest may come, but anxiety must not. In the crisis moment the Holy Spirit Himself supplies the very words that testify to Christ, turning hostile courts into platforms for the gospel. Confidence, then, rests not in rehearsed arguments but in the faithful presence of God, who speaks through His people exactly when they need Him most.
(11) It is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.--In the parallel passage of Matthew 10:20 we have, "the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." In Luke 21:15, "I will give you a mouth and wisdom." St. Mark's use of the more definite term reminds us of Mark 12:36 (where see Note), and may, probably, be connected with St. Peter's habitual language. (Comp. Acts 2:33-38; Acts 8:15; Acts 10:47; 2Peter 1:21.) . . .