Luke 21:12-15

21:12 But before all this, ¹  they will seize ²  you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues ³  and prisons. You ⁴  will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 21:13 This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses. ⁵  21:14 Therefore be resolved ⁶  not to rehearse ⁷  ahead of time how to make your defense. 21:15 For I will give you the words ⁸  along with the wisdom ⁹  that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

¹ sn But before all this. Another note of timing is present, this one especially important in understanding the sequence in the discourse. Before the things noted in vv. 8-11 are the events of vv. 12-19.

² tn Grk “will lay their hands on you.”

³ sn Some of the persecution is of Jewish origin (the synagogues). Some fulfillment of this can be seen in Acts. See the note on synagogues in 4:15.

⁴ tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

⁵ tn Grk “This will turn out to you for [a] testimony.”

⁶ tn Grk “determine in your hearts.”

⁷ tn This term could refer to rehearsing a speech or a dance. On its syntax, see BDF §392.2.

⁸ tn Grk “a mouth.” It is a metonymy and refers to the reply the Lord will give to them.

⁹ tn Grk “and wisdom.”