Luke 21:13 kjv
And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Luke 21:13 nkjv
But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
Luke 21:13 niv
And so you will bear testimony to me.
Luke 21:13 esv
This will be your opportunity to bear witness.
Luke 21:13 nlt
But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.
Luke 21 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 12:11-12 | "When they bring you before synagogues... do not worry... for the Holy Spirit will teach you..." | Spirit's enablement during trials for witness |
| Mk 13:9-11 | "You will be brought before governors... for a testimony to them... the Holy Spirit will speak." | Persecution as witness; Spirit's empowerment |
| Mt 10:18 | "You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles." | Persecution's purpose as universal witness |
| Acts 1:8 | "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you... and you will be My witnesses." | Commission to witness through Holy Spirit |
| Acts 4:19-20 | "We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." | Apostles compelled to witness despite threat |
| Acts 5:29 | "We must obey God rather than men." | Bold obedience in witnessing |
| Acts 5:40-42 | "They rejoiced because they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name." | Rejoicing in suffering for the Name |
| Acts 7:54-60 | Stephen's martyrdom and testimony to Jesus. | Stephen's witness unto death (martyrion) |
| Acts 9:15-16 | "He is a chosen instrument of Mine... how much he must suffer for My name." | Paul's suffering preordained for witness |
| Phil 1:12-14 | "What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel." | Imprisonment turning into gospel advancement |
| Rom 8:28 | "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him..." | God's sovereign good purpose in all things |
| 1 Pet 3:14-15 | "Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake... always be prepared to make a defense..." | Suffering for righteousness as witness opportunity |
| 2 Tim 2:9-10 | "I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains... so that they also may obtain salvation." | Suffering to bring salvation to others |
| Col 1:24 | "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ..." | Suffering as a participation in Christ's work |
| Jn 15:20-21 | "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you..." | Expectation of persecution for disciples |
| Lk 21:14-15 | "I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to resist or contradict." | God's provision for verbal witness |
| Isa 43:10 | "You are My witnesses... and My servant whom I have chosen." | Israel chosen to be God's witnesses |
| Dan 3:16-18 | Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's defiant faith. | Steadfast faith as a witness |
| Jer 20:8-9 | Jeremiah's struggle, yet compelled to speak God's word. | Prophet's irresistible urge to proclaim God |
| Rev 6:9-11 | Martyrs crying out under the altar. | Testimony sealed by faithful witness unto death |
Luke 21 verses
Luke 21 13 Meaning
Luke 21:13 teaches that the persecutions and trials that believers will endure for Christ's sake are not meaningless suffering but rather divinely orchestrated opportunities to bear witness to Him. Adversity transforms into a platform for gospel proclamation and a testimony of faith, demonstrating God's sovereignty over challenging circumstances.
Luke 21 13 Context
Luke chapter 21 is part of Jesus' "Olivet Discourse," delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. Preceding verse 13, Jesus warns of a time of severe tribulation, including false prophets, wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues, and terrifying signs (vv. 8-11). Specifically, in verse 12, Jesus foretells that His disciples will be arrested, persecuted, delivered to synagogues and prisons, and brought before kings and governors "on account of My name." Verse 13 immediately follows this grim prediction, shifting the perspective from the immediate suffering to the ultimate divine purpose of these events, providing hope and a strategic mission in the midst of adversity. Historically, this prophecy proved true for early Christians who faced intense persecution from both Jewish authorities and the Roman Empire, consistently using trials as opportunities to preach the gospel.
Luke 21 13 Word analysis
- τοῦτο (touto - this): Refers directly to the preceding events outlined in Luke 21:12 – the arrests, persecutions, and trials before authorities. It indicates that the negative experiences described are the very subject of what "will turn out."
- δὲ (de - but/and): A transitional particle, it connects the warning of persecution (v. 12) with the outcome or purpose of that persecution (v. 13). It often indicates a slight contrast or shift in emphasis, here turning from the mere fact of persecution to its redemptive meaning.
- ὑμῖν (hymin - for you/to you): Dative plural pronoun, specifically indicating that this purpose or outcome is for the disciples themselves. The benefit and opportunity are directly given to them, not just generally.
- ἀποβήσεται (apobesetai - it will turn out/result/happen): This verb signifies a consequence or outcome, a result emerging from a process. It implies divine causality or direction, suggesting that the seemingly chaotic events are guided by a greater purpose, leading to a specific end. It is not just "it will be," but "it will lead to."
- εἰς (eis - into/for/as): A preposition indicating direction toward a goal or purpose. Here, it establishes
μαρτύριονas the specific aim or result of the "turning out" process. The suffering is transformed into a testimony. - μαρτύριον (martyrion - testimony/witness): The core word here, meaning evidence, witness, or testimony. In the biblical context, it refers to both spoken proclamation of truth and the lived reality that supports that truth, often to the point of suffering or death (the root of the word "martyr"). It denotes a powerful demonstration of faith and truth before an audience.
Words-group analysis
- τοῦτο δὲ ὑμῖν ἀποβήσεται: "But this will turn out for you." This phrase immediately follows the list of severe persecutions. The "but" or "and" indicates a divinely intended counter-point: despite the hardships, God will turn these circumstances into something for the believers. It emphasizes that even suffering falls under God's sovereignty and is redirected for His people's good and His glory.
- εἰς μαρτύριον: "as a testimony/for witness." This specifies the redemptive outcome. The persecutions, which humanly might lead to silence or defeat, are divinely repurposed to create an occasion for bold proclamation. It signifies that suffering becomes a powerful, undeniable proof of faith, allowing the gospel to be heard by those in authority who might otherwise never hear it.
Luke 21 13 Bonus section
The idea of suffering turning into μαρτύριον (testimony) underscores a central New Testament theme: the suffering of believers is not an anomaly but an inherent part of following Christ, mirroring His own path. This verse implicitly suggests the presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit (as explicitly stated in Mark 13:11 and Luke 12:12), who will enable believers to speak with wisdom and conviction during such intense moments. Thus, Christian witness is not solely about articulate speech, but about courageous faithfulness demonstrated in the face of adversity, through the power of God. The witness offered in such circumstances carries unique authority and credibility, as it is born out of sacrificial commitment rather than convenience.
Luke 21 13 Commentary
Luke 21:13 stands as a pivotal statement in Jesus' Olivet Discourse, transforming the bleak prospect of persecution into a strategic advantage for the kingdom of God. Jesus does not merely warn of future tribulation but interprets its ultimate divine purpose. The word ἀποβήσεται is key; it denotes a definite outcome orchestrated by God, not mere coincidence. The trials and arrests before powerful earthly figures (as described in Lk 21:12) will result in a public opportunity to bear witness to Christ. This testimony, μαρτύριον, is not just a verbal defense but a holistic proclamation encompassing a life lived in faith, even unto death. This challenges the disciples, and by extension, all believers, to see persecution not as a setback, but as an integral part of their mission to spread the gospel. It implies that God will empower His followers in these moments, granting them wisdom and courage to speak His truth, transforming what appears to be human weakness into a powerful divine display. The cross-references, especially to Acts and the epistles, show the consistent fulfillment of this prophecy throughout early Christian history, where apostles like Peter, John, and Paul continually leveraged their trials as platforms for gospel proclamation to various audiences, including kings and governors.