10Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [21:11] There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be terrifying portents and great signs from heaven. [21:12] But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for the sake of my name. [21:13] This will lead to your testimony. [21:14] Settle it therefore in your hearts not to rehearse your defense beforehand, [21:15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. [21:16] You will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. [21:17] You will be hated by all because of my name. [21:18] And yet not a single hair of your head will perish. [21:19] By your steadfast endurance you will gain your lives.
LUK 21:10-19
Witnessing to All Nations
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Roman world, political instability, natural disasters, and social upheaval were common fears. The mention of nations rising against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms would evoke memories of recent conflicts, such as the Jewish-Roman wars or the Parthian threats. Earthquakes, famines, and pestilences were seen as divine portents or signs of cosmic disorder, often interpreted as warnings of impending judgment. For Jewish listeners, these events would recall prophetic warnings from texts like Isaiah or Ezekiel. The persecution described—being delivered to synagogues, prisons, kings, and governors—reflects the reality of early Jesus-followers facing hostility from both Jewish authorities and Roman officials. The instruction not to premeditate a defense aligns with the Jewish tradition of trusting God’s provision in moments of trial, as seen in Exodus 4:12. The promise of divine wisdom and steadfastness would resonate with those enduring societal marginalization and legal threats, offering assurance of God’s presence in their witness.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
LUK 21:10
- KJV
- Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
- BSB
- Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
- Koinōnos
- Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
LUK 21:11
- KJV
- And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
- BSB
- There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
- Koinōnos
- There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be terrifying portents and great signs from heaven.
LUK 21:12
- KJV
- But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
- BSB
- But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors.
- Koinōnos
- But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for the sake of my name.
LUK 21:13
- KJV
- And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
- BSB
- This will be your opportunity to serve as witnesses.
- Koinōnos
- This will lead to your testimony.
LUK 21:14
- KJV
- Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
- BSB
- So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves.
- Koinōnos
- Settle it therefore in your hearts not to rehearse your defense beforehand,
LUK 21:15
- KJV
- For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
- BSB
- For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- Koinōnos
- for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
LUK 21:16
- KJV
- And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
- BSB
- You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.
- Koinōnos
- You will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
LUK 21:17
- KJV
- And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
- BSB
- And you will be hated by everyone because of My name.
- Koinōnos
- You will be hated by all because of my name.
LUK 21:18
- KJV
- But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
- BSB
- Yet not even a hair of your head will perish.
- Koinōnos
- And yet not a single hair of your head will perish.
LUK 21:19
- KJV
- In your patience possess ye your souls.
- BSB
- By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.
- Koinōnos
- By your steadfast endurance you will gain your lives.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 1.19.4
›Josephus, Wars Wars 1.19.4
“It is true, you might justly be dismayed at that providential chastisement which hath befallen you; but to suffer yourselves to be equally terrified at the invasion of men is unmanly. As for myself, I am so far from being affrighted at our enemies after this earthquake, that I imagine that God hath thereby laid a bait for the Arabians, that we may be avenged on them”
Cited to ground: Earthquakes, famines, and pestilences were seen as divine portents or signs of cosmic disorder, often interpreted as warnings of impending judgment.
Translator's notes
LUK 21:11
- fearful sights:The word translated 'fearful sights' refers to things that cause terror or dread, often used for omens or portents that inspire fear, like a scarecrow meant to frighten.
LUK 21:12
- they will lay:The term used here for 'they will lay' implies a forceful action of putting or casting something upon someone, often with the sense of seizing or imposing.
LUK 21:14
- to premeditate:The word translated 'to premeditate' means to practice or prepare something beforehand, specifically referring to rehearsing what one is going to say.
LUK 21:19
- patient endurance:The phrase 'patient endurance' captures a sense of steadfast perseverance, not merely passive waiting, but actively remaining firm and enduring under difficult circumstances.