8Jesus said: "Now I say to you, everyone who may confess in me before men, the Son of Man will also confess in him before the angels of God. [12:9] But the one who denied me before men will be denied before the angels of God. [12:10] And everyone who will speak a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to the one who blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. [12:11] Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how or what you may present as a defense or what you may say; [12:12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what it is necessary to say."
LUK 12:8-12
Confessing Christ
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, public confession or denial carried significant social and legal weight. To confess Jesus before others was not merely a private affirmation but a public declaration with potential consequences, including social ostracism, economic loss, or even legal prosecution. Synagogues and Roman authorities were institutions of power where such confessions could lead to trials or punishment. The mention of rulers and authorities reflects the dual threat of Jewish religious leaders and Roman magistrates, both of whom could enforce penalties for perceived subversion. The warning against blaspheming the Holy Spirit underscores the gravity of rejecting divine authority, a concept rooted in Jewish thought where blasphemy against God was unforgivable. The assurance that the Son of Man will confess the faithful before the angels of God aligns with Jewish apocalyptic expectations of divine vindication. The instruction not to be anxious about defense reflects the honor-shame culture, where public speech required careful preparation to avoid dishonor.
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How other translations render this
LUK 12:8
- KJV
- Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
- BSB
- I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God.
- Koinōnos
- Jesus said: "Now I say to you, everyone who may confess in me before men, the Son of Man will also confess in him before the angels of God.
LUK 12:9
- KJV
- But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
- BSB
- But whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
- Koinōnos
- But the one who denied me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
LUK 12:10
- KJV
- And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
- BSB
- And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
- Koinōnos
- And everyone who will speak a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to the one who blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.
LUK 12:11
- KJV
- And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
- BSB
- When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say.
- Koinōnos
- Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how or what you may present as a defense or what you may say;
LUK 12:12
- KJV
- For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
- BSB
- For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”
- Koinōnos
- for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what it is necessary to say.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 12:8
- may confess:The word translated 'may confess' implies an open, public declaration of allegiance, often with legal or social implications, not just a private acknowledgment.
LUK 12:9
- having denied:The term translated 'having denied' suggests a strong, definitive rejection or disavowal, often in the face of an accusation or expectation.
LUK 12:10
- a word:The word translated 'a word' here can encompass not just a single utterance, but a message, a statement, or even a complete teaching or doctrine.
LUK 12:11
- may be anxious:The word translated 'may be anxious' describes a state of being pulled in different directions by worries, causing distraction and inner turmoil.