Luke 21:15 kjv
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Luke 21:15 nkjv
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
Luke 21:15 niv
For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Luke 21:15 esv
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
Luke 21:15 nlt
for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!
Luke 21 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 4:11-12 | Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth...? I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to say." | God promises to enable Moses' speech and teach him what to speak. |
| Jer 1:9 | Then the LORD put out His hand and touched my mouth... "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth." | God directly puts His words into Jeremiah's mouth for prophecy. |
| Isa 50:4 | "The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word." | Foreshadows the Messiah's divinely instructed tongue to speak wisely. |
| Matt 10:19-20 | "When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say... For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." | Parallel passage; the Spirit provides the words. |
| Mark 13:11 | "When they bring you to trial... do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit." | Parallel passage; emphasizing Spirit's immediate enablement. |
| Acts 2:4 | And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. | Empowerment to speak diverse languages under Holy Spirit's guidance. |
| Acts 4:8 | Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders..." | Peter filled with the Spirit speaking boldly before the Sanhedrin. |
| Acts 4:13 | Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. | The Sanhedrin recognized extraordinary wisdom in Peter and John. |
| Acts 6:10 | But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen was speaking. | Stephen's adversaries unable to refute his Spirit-given wisdom and speech. |
| Acts 18:28 | for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. | Apollos' powerful, unrefutable scriptural arguments. |
| 1 Cor 2:4 | and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. | Paul's preaching relies on divine power, not human rhetoric. |
| 1 Cor 1:27 | But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. | God uses simple instruments to confound human wisdom and power. |
| Col 1:9 | ...that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. | Believers can be filled with spiritual wisdom for divine understanding. |
| Eph 6:19 | ...and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. | Paul prays for divine enablement to speak boldly. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach. | God freely grants wisdom to those who ask. |
| Isa 54:17 | No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. | Prophetic promise of victory over all adversaries and false accusations. |
| Rom 8:31 | If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's protective presence ensures the ultimate futility of opposition. |
| Phil 1:28 | ...in no way alarmed by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. | Fearlessness in persecution is a sign of God's work. |
| 1 Pet 4:14 | If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. | Blessing for suffering for Christ, divine Spirit presence. |
| Rev 12:11 | And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. | Believers overcome by the truth they testify, despite death. |
Luke 21 verses
Luke 21 15 Meaning
Luke 21:15 is a promise from Jesus to His disciples concerning future trials and persecutions. He assures them that He will provide them with supernatural articulate expression and divine wisdom. This divine enablement will make it impossible for their opponents to effectively argue against or refute the truth they proclaim, ensuring their testimony prevails despite severe opposition.
Luke 21 15 Context
Luke 21:15 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, a prophetic sermon delivered on the Mount of Olives about the destruction of Jerusalem, the signs of the end of the age, and His second coming. Specifically, verses 12-19 describe the persecutions believers will face before these major events: arrests, trials before religious and political authorities, betrayal by family, and widespread hatred. This promise of "mouth and wisdom" directly addresses the disciples' anxiety about defending themselves in such hostile and powerful settings (implied by the previous verse, 21:14, "do not prepare beforehand to answer"). It assures them of divine enablement for their testimony in these challenging circumstances, highlighting that their witness will not rely on human cleverness or legal preparation, but on God's direct empowerment.
Luke 21 15 Word analysis
- For (γὰρ, gar): A conjunction indicating explanation or reason. It links this promise directly to the preceding instruction (Luke 21:14) about not premeditating responses, explaining why they don't need to prepare.
- I (ἐγὼ, egō): Emphatic personal pronoun. Jesus Himself, with divine authority, is the source of this gift, highlighting His personal commitment and power to fulfill the promise.
- will give (δώσω, dōsō): Future active verb. A certain, proactive bestowal of a divine gift by Jesus, indicating a guarantee.
- you (ὑμῖν, hymin): Refers to the disciples and by extension, all who follow Him and face similar circumstances. The promise is specifically for those who endure persecution for His name.
- a mouth (στόμα, stoma): More than just the physical organ; it denotes articulate speech, prophetic utterance, or a capacity for effective, authoritative testimony. It signifies the right words and the boldness to speak them.
- and wisdom (καὶ σοφίαν, kai sophian): Refers to divine insight, spiritual discernment, and the ability to apply truth effectively, beyond mere intellectual knowledge or human cleverness. This is God-given practical wisdom for the specific situation.
- which (ᾗ, hē): A relative pronoun, grammatically referring to both the "mouth" and the "wisdom." It emphasizes that the combined effect of divinely enabled speech and insight is what defeats the adversaries.
- all your adversaries (πάντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι ὑμῖν, pantes hoi antikeimenoi hymin): Literally "all those who oppose you." This encompasses persecutors, accusers, hostile authorities, or any spiritual opposition. The breadth ("all") emphasizes the comprehensive power of the promise.
- will not be able (οὐ δυνήσονται, ou dynēsontai): A strong negation in the future tense, asserting utter impossibility. Their human power and arguments will be rendered ineffective.
- to resist (ἀντιστῆναι, antistēnai): To stand against, withstand, or successfully oppose. It implies an inability to make any headway or have any effect against the divine enablement.
- or contradict (ἢ ἀντειπεῖν, ē anteipein): To speak against, gainsay, or logically refute. This highlights the verbal and argumentative defeat of the adversaries; they won't be able to coherently dispute the Spirit-given testimony.
Luke 21 15 Bonus section
The fulfillment of this promise is vividly seen in the Book of Acts, particularly in the trials of Peter (Acts 4:8-14), Stephen (Acts 6:9-10), and Paul (Acts 23-26). Their bold, Spirit-inspired responses often confounded their learned opponents. This divine "mouth and wisdom" does not exempt believers from suffering or even martyrdom, but it guarantees that their witness will be effective and powerful despite all human opposition, thus vindicating Christ's name. It demonstrates God's profound care for His people and His ability to turn hostile circumstances into opportunities for powerful testimony. This verse underscores the necessity of relying on the Holy Spirit rather than human ingenuity when witnessing under pressure, and it speaks to the ultimate victory of God's truth over worldly opposition.
Luke 21 15 Commentary
Luke 21:15 is a profound assurance of divine enablement for believers facing severe persecution. In a time when disciples would be brought before formidable religious and political courts, often without legal training or powerful social standing, Jesus promised them not to rely on their own intellect or prepared arguments. Instead, He would directly supply "a mouth" – meaning the right words, authority, and boldness to speak – and "wisdom" – divine insight to know how to respond and when. This dual gift, specifically enabled by the Holy Spirit, ensures that their testimony would be irresistible and unrefutable. Their opponents, regardless of their position, cunning, or accusations, would be rendered powerless to argue against the truth delivered through the Spirit-filled believer. This promise doesn't mean the persecution would cease or suffering would be avoided (as verse 16-19 confirm), but that their witness for Christ in persecution would be divinely empowered and ultimately triumphant, glorifying God even amidst tribulation. It emphasizes God's sovereign hand in defending His own and advancing His kingdom through seemingly vulnerable witnesses.
- Example 1: A believer accused in court gives a clear, simple testimony that silences the prosecution's complex legal arguments.
- Example 2: A Christian facing social ostracization speaks calmly about their faith, leaving opponents without valid counter-arguments, even if they continue to reject it.
- Example 3: During theological debates, a Spirit-led person speaks with clarity and conviction, answering questions profoundly without prior academic preparation.