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The Coming Persecution. 12 (A)“Before all this happens,[a] however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.(B) 13 It will lead to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 (C)for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking[b] that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 (D)You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death.(E) 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.(F) 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.(G)

The Great Tribulation.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. 21:12 Before all this happens…: to Luke and his community, some of the signs of the end just described (Lk 21:10–11) still lie in the future. Now in dealing with the persecution of the disciples (Lk 21:12–19) and the destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21:20–24) Luke is pointing to eschatological signs that have already been fulfilled.
  2. 21:15 A wisdom in speaking: literally, “a mouth and wisdom.”
  3. 21:20–24 The actual destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in A.D. 70 upon which Luke and his community look back provides the assurance that, just as Jesus’ prediction of Jerusalem’s destruction was fulfilled, so too will be his announcement of their final redemption (Lk 21:27–28).

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me.(A) 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.(B) 15 For I will give you(C) words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends,(D) and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me.(E) 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.(F) 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.(G)

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