Matthew 10:19-20
When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't just saying "don't worry" – he's making a specific promise: the exact words you need will be given to you in that very moment. This isn't about recalling prepared speeches, but about receiving divine inspiration for each unique situation. It's a promise of immediate, Spirit-led wisdom, not pre-planned eloquence.
Jesus is commissioning his disciples, sending them out to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near, but also warning them of the persecution they will face. He forewarns them that they will be arrested, brought before authorities, and even betrayed by family members because of their association with him. This verse directly follows these grim predictions, offering reassurance about how they should respond when facing such trials.
When facing difficult situations, it's natural to worry about what to say. Jesus offers a radical counter to this anxiety.
Jesus tells his disciples to 'take no thought' (or 'be not anxious'). This isn't a command to be reckless or unprepared, but a call to trust that God will provide the words needed in the moment.
The Trap of Overthinking
The disciples, often described as ordinary fishermen with little formal education, would naturally fear speaking before powerful authorities. The temptation is to 'meditate beforehand' or craft a perfect defense, but Jesus redirects their focus from their own ability to God's empowerment.
God's Timely Gift
The promise is that 'what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.' This implies a direct, divine inspiration – the Holy Spirit, the 'Spirit of your Father,' would prompt them, giving them the right words and the right way to say them. It's a comfort that His power works best when our own limitations are most apparent.
Jesus reassures His disciples that in their moments of trial, they won't be speaking alone.
The reason Jesus tells them not to worry about what to say is explained in the following verse, 'it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.' This highlights a profound partnership.
Not Just Information, But Divine Utterance
This promise isn't just about finding the right vocabulary or arguments; it's about God Himself communicating through His people. It’s a reminder that when believers are called to stand for their faith, especially under duress, the Holy Spirit equips them with divine wisdom and utterance.
A Trustworthy Source
This divine prompting is a source of immense courage. Knowing that God's Spirit will guide their speech frees them from the pressure of human eloquence and ensures their message is impactful and true to God's will, not merely their own.
Understand the original words
merimnaō · Greek Verb
A feeling of unease, distress, or apprehension regarding future events; the Bible often commands against this in favor of trust in God’s sovereignty.
pneuma · Greek Noun
The third person of the Trinity, the divine agent of God who indwells believers, empowering them, guiding them into truth, and testifying of Jesus.
This promise of divine inspiration was crucial for the apostles and early believers, who, as often unlearned fishermen, faced powerful religious and political authorities. It was a word of immense comfort and power, assuring them that God Himself would equip them to speak His truth boldly in the face of persecution.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus commissions the Twelve Apostles
Jesus sends out his twelve disciples with specific instructions to preach, heal, and cast out demons, promising them divine guidance when they face opposition.
c. AD 33-36
Early persecution of Christians
Following Jesus' ascension, the apostles begin their ministry, facing increasing opposition from Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem, leading to arrests and trials.
c. AD 33
Peter and John before the Sanhedrin
After healing a lame man, Peter and John are arrested and brought before the Jewish council, where they boldly proclaim Jesus, fulfilling Jesus' promise of inspired speech.
c. AD 34-36
Stephen's martyrdom
Stephen, a deacon, eloquently defends his faith before the same council, but is ultimately stoned to death, marking the first Christian martyr.
This passage echoes Jesus' instruction not to worry about what to say when brought before authorities, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit will provide the words. It directly parallels the theme of divine guidance in moments of persecution.
Acts 4:8Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, directly addresses the council when on trial, demonstrating the fulfillment of Jesus' promise. This shows the practical outworking of not being anxious about what to say, as the Spirit granted boldness and wisdom.
Acts 6:10This verse highlights that Stephen, a disciple facing intense opposition, spoke with wisdom and by the Spirit, which his accusers could not resist. It exemplifies the divine empowerment promised in Matthew 10:19, showing how the Spirit enables believers to articulate truth effectively under pressure.
1 Corinthians 2:10Paul explains that God reveals His wisdom through the Spirit, who searches all things, even the deep things of God. This passage provides theological depth to Jesus' promise, explaining *how* the words are given—through the Spirit's revelation and prompting.
Jeremiah 1:7God told Jeremiah not to be afraid of facing opposition, stating, 'you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I command you.' This shows that the principle of divinely provided words in challenging situations predates Jesus' teaching and is a consistent theme of God's commissioning of His messengers.
vincentMatthew 10:19: "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak."
Take no thought (μὴ μεριμνήσητε)Rev., Be not anxious. See on Matthew 6:25.In that hour (ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ)Very precise. "In that selfsame hour." Bengel remarks: "Even though not before. Many feel most strongly their spiritual power when the hour comes to impart it to others."
bensonMatthew 10:19: "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak."
Matthew 10:19 . But take no thought how or what ye shall speak — When you are compelled to appear before such personages be not anxiously careful about your defence there, or how you shall answer for yourselves, but cheerfully confide in the divine direction, which shall certainly be given you, and shall be abundantly sufficient for you. The…
Jesus isn't just saying "don't worry" – he's making a specific promise: the exact words you need will be given to you in that very moment. This isn't about recalling prepared speeches, but about receiving divine inspiration for each unique situation. It's a promise of immediate, Spirit-led wisdom, not pre-planned eloquence.
Jesus is commissioning his disciples, sending them out to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near, but also warning them of the persecution they will face. He forewarns them that they will be arrested, brought before authorities, and even betrayed by family members because of their association with him. This verse directly follows these grim predictions, offering reassurance about how they should respond when facing such trials.
Jesus is commissioning his disciples, sending them out to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near, but also warning them of the persecution they will face. He forewarns them that they will be arrested, brought before authorities, and even betrayed by family members because of their association with him. This verse directly follows these grim predictions, offering reassurance about how they should respond when facing such trials.
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c. AD 35-45
Saul's persecution and conversion
Saul, zealous for the Jewish law, persecutes the early church, but dramatically encounters the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, transforming into the Apostle Paul.
c. AD 46-67
Paul's missionary journeys
Paul undertakes extensive missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, facing numerous trials, imprisonments, and opposition, during which he continues to rely on divine wisdom.
"When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." — Jesus isn't just saying "don't worry" – he's making a specific promise: the exact words you need will be given to you in that very moment. This isn't about recalling prepared speeches, but about…
