Luke 12:11 Meaning and Explanation
“And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When disciples are brought before synagogues and rulers, they are not to be anxious about how to answer or what to say.
What Does Luke 12:11 Mean?
Jesus names the settings where confession will be tested: synagogues, magistrates, powers — religious and civil courts alike. The book of Acts reads like the fulfillment, as His witnesses stand before councils, governors, and kings. Take ye no thought, He says: do not rehearse your defense in dread.
The command is not against preparation but against the fear that assumes everything depends on our eloquence. The disciple on trial is not abandoned to personal cleverness; the promise of help comes in the very next verse. Faithfulness is our part. The defense, finally, belongs to God, who has never lacked words for His servants in the hour of need.
Luke 12:11 in the Original Language
apologeomai (ἀπολογέομαι), 'answer' -- to speak in one's own defense.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 12:11
What does Luke 12:11 mean?
When disciples are brought before synagogues and rulers, they are not to be anxious about how to answer or what to say.