Luke 21 14

Luke 21:14 kjv

Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

Luke 21:14 nkjv

Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;

Luke 21:14 niv

But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.

Luke 21:14 esv

Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,

Luke 21:14 nlt

So don't worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,

Luke 21 verses

Luke 21 14 Meaning

This verse instructs believers facing persecution not to premeditate or anxiously plan their defense, but rather to make a firm resolve in their hearts to trust that the Holy Spirit will provide the necessary words and wisdom in that moment of trial. It reassures them that they are not to rely on their own human preparation when called to account for their faith.

Luke 21 14 Context

Luke 21:14 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivered on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:5). This discourse provides prophecies about the destruction of the Jerusalem temple (Luke 21:5-7) and the signs preceding the end times, including wars, famines, pestilences, and terrifying sights (Luke 21:8-11). Directly preceding verse 14, Jesus warns His disciples of intense persecution they will face before these greater cosmic events. They will be arrested, brought before synagogues, rulers, and kings, and persecuted for Jesus' name (Luke 21:12-13). This immediate context establishes a scenario of great distress and public scrutiny. Historically, the early Christian community would indeed face significant opposition from both Jewish religious authorities and the Roman Empire, often leading to trials and accusations where they would need to defend their faith. The verse functions as a reassurance and instruction, contrasting the typical human anxiety over a legal defense with divine enablement, indicating that reliance should be on God, not on human cleverness or elaborate pre-planned arguments. This subtly serves as a polemic against the worldly way of approaching legal and spiritual defense through elaborate self-preparation, redirecting focus to the power and wisdom given by God.

Luke 21 14 Word analysis

• Settle (στῆτε, stēte): From the Greek verb histēmi, an aorist active imperative. It implies taking a firm stand, resolving, or establishing a conviction. It is not merely a suggestion but a command to make a definite decision within oneself. This means to put one's mind firmly into a state of determined trust.
• it therefore (οὖν, oun): This connective particle links the command to the preceding warnings of persecution. "Therefore" indicates that because they will face such trials, this is how they should respond internally. It logically connects the instruction to the difficult circumstances.
• in your hearts (ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν, en tais kardiais hymōn): In Greek thought, the "heart" (kardia) is not merely the seat of emotions, but primarily the center of thought, will, decision-making, and moral being. To settle something in one's heart means to resolve it deeply within one's inner person, at the core of their being. It implies a settled conviction that precedes and directs external actions.
• not to meditate beforehand (μὴ προμελετᾶν, mē promeletan): Mē is the prohibitive particle, and promeletao means "to practice beforehand, to premeditate, to prepare in advance (speech)." This is not a prohibition against thoughtful witness, but against anxious, self-reliant preparation of an answer born of fear and human wisdom, implying a trusting release from the burden of forethought. The emphasis is on letting go of the need for human preparation, not on speaking thoughtlessly.
• what ye shall answer (τί ἀπολογηθῆναι, ti apologēthēnai): Apologeomai means "to make a defense, to speak in one's defense, to answer charges." It specifically relates to legal or public explanations, a judicial defense. The instruction concerns how to behave when facing accusations or requiring an explanation of their faith.

Word Group Analysis:

• "Settle it therefore in your hearts": This phrase emphasizes the internal disposition required. It's about a foundational spiritual posture of faith and reliance on God, a calm assurance stemming from a decision to trust rather than fret. It's a command for an inner peace that guards against panic.
• "not to meditate beforehand what ye shall answer": This directly addresses the human tendency to anticipate and plan out words, especially under pressure. It explicitly forbids the anxious, humanistic approach to defense, implying that such reliance on self is unnecessary and perhaps even counterproductive when God's Spirit is available. The focus is on what to say, linking it to legal defense scenarios.

Luke 21 14 Bonus section

The promise in Luke 21:14, reinforced by parallels in Matthew and Mark, is specifically geared towards times of persecution when believers are brought before authorities. It is not a general principle for all communication, nor does it excuse diligence in studying God's Word or preparing to teach. Rather, it is a specific assurance for those moments of trial where immediate divine intervention is necessary for a powerful witness. The Holy Spirit does not only provide words but also the courage, peace, and wisdom to speak effectively under duress, enabling simple followers of Christ to confound learned adversaries (cf. Acts 4:13). This verse powerfully illustrates that true strength and wisdom for testifying to Christ come from God, not from human ability or foresight.

Luke 21 14 Commentary

Luke 21:14 provides profound spiritual assurance to believers who will face hostile interrogations for their faith. It liberates them from the crippling anxiety of preparing a defense, shifting their reliance from human eloquence or clever argumentation to the divine provision of the Holy Spirit. The command to "settle it in your hearts" denotes a foundational, firm resolve of faith, a conscious decision to relinquish the burden of self-preparation and embrace a posture of confident dependence on God. This means trusting that God, through His Spirit, will give them the precise words and wisdom needed for that specific moment of testimony, ensuring their defense glorifies Him. It is not an excuse for ignorance, but a promise for empowerment in specific trials, confirming that faithful witness in persecution comes by divine enablement, not by human effort or foresight. This promise underscores God's care for His witnesses, empowering them to testify without fear of failing or being unable to articulate their faith effectively before their accusers.