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New Century Version

Luke 21:15

I will give you the wisdom to say things that none of your enemies will be able to stand against or prove wrong.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Israel, Prophecies Concerning;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Persecution;   Watchfulness;   Wisdom;   Thompson Chain Reference - Inspiration;   Promises, Divine;   Prophets;   Wisdom;   Wisdom-Folly;   The Topic Concordance - Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ;   End of the World;   Hate;   Holy Spirit;   Kingdom of God;   Perishing;   Persecution;   Redemption;   Speech/communication;   World;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Trinity, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Suffering;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Luke, the Gospel According to;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Luke, Gospel of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Holy Spirit;   Kingdom of God;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Adversary;   Adversary (2);   Discourse;   God (2);   Holy Spirit (2);   Luke, Gospel According to;   Magistrate (2);   Mouth ;   Opposition;   Winter ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Judah, the Kingdom of;   1910 New Catholic Dictionary - parousia;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chief parables and miracles in the bible;   Obsolete or obscure words in the english av bible;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Inspiration;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Gainsay;   Mouth;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for September 29;   Every Day Light - Devotion for January 15;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
for I will give you such words
King James Version (1611)
For I will giue you a mouth and wisedome, which all your aduersaries shall not be able to gainsay, nor resist.
King James Version
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
English Standard Version
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
New American Standard Bible
for I will provide you eloquence and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to oppose or refute.
Amplified Bible
for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.
Legacy Standard Bible
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.
Berean Standard Bible
For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Contemporary English Version
I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.
Complete Jewish Bible
for I myself will give you an eloquence and a wisdom that no adversary will be able to resist or refute.
Darby Translation
for *I* will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your opposers shall not be able to reply to or resist.
Easy-to-Read Version
I will give you the wisdom to say things that none of your enemies can answer.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For I will giue you a mouth and wisdome, where against all your aduersaries shall not be able to speake, nor resist.
George Lamsa Translation
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your enemies will not be able to withstand.
Good News Translation
because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say.
Lexham English Bible
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to resist or contradict.
Literal Translation
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all those opposing you will not be able to withstand or contradict.
American Standard Version
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.
Bible in Basic English
For I will give you words and wisdom, so that not one of those who are against you will be able to get the better of you, or to put you in the wrong.
Hebrew Names Version
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
International Standard Version
for I will give you such speech and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute it.Acts 6:10;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries cannot stand against.
Murdock Translation
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your enemies will be unable to withstand.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For I wyll geue you a mouth, and wysedome, where agaynst, all your aduersaries shall not be able to speake nor resist.
English Revised Version
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.
World English Bible
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist.
Weymouth's New Testament
for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to withstand or reply to.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
to whiche alle youre aduersaries schulen not mowe ayenstonde, and ayenseie.
Update Bible Version
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.
Webster's Bible Translation
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
New English Translation
For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
New King James Version
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
New Living Translation
for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!
New Life Bible
For I will give you wisdom in what to say and I will help you say it. Those who are against you will not be able to stop you or say you are wrong.
New Revised Standard
for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, I, will give you a mouth and wisdom, which one-and-all who are setting themselves against, you shall be unable to withstand or gainsay.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist and gainsay.
Revised Standard Version
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
for I will geve you a mouth and wisdome where agaynste all youre adversarys shall not be able to speake nor resist.
Young's Literal Translation
for I will give to you a mouth and wisdom that all your opposers shall not be able to refute or resist.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
for I wil geue you mouth & wyssdome, agaynst the which all youre aduersaries shal not be able to speake ner to resist.
Mace New Testament (1729)
for I will make you speak with such strength of argument, as all your adversaries shall not be able to contradict or withstand.
Simplified Cowboy Version
When the time comes, I will give you the words to say and everyone will be astounded by my answers.

Contextual Overview

5 Some people were talking about the Temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts offered to God. But Jesus said, 6 "As for these things you are looking at, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another. Every stone will be thrown down." 7 They asked Jesus, "Teacher, when will these things happen? What will be the sign that they are about to take place?" 8 Jesus said, "Be careful so you are not fooled. Many people will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the One' and, ‘The time has come!' But don't follow them. 9 When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid, because these things must happen first, but the end will come later." 10 Then he said to them, "Nations will fight against other nations, and kingdoms against other kingdoms. 11 In various places there will be great earthquakes, sicknesses, and a lack of food. Fearful events and great signs will come from heaven. 12 "But before all these things happen, people will arrest you and treat you cruelly. They will judge you in their synagogues and put you in jail and force you to stand before kings and governors, because you follow me. 13 But this will give you an opportunity to tell about me. 14 Make up your minds not to worry ahead of time about what you will say.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I will: Luke 24:45, Exodus 4:11, Exodus 4:12, Proverbs 2:6, Jeremiah 1:9, Acts 2:4, Acts 4:8-13, Acts 4:31-33, Ephesians 6:19, Colossians 4:3, Colossians 4:4, James 1:5

which: Acts 6:10, Acts 24:25, Acts 26:28, 2 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 4:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:15 - and I 1 Samuel 18:30 - behaved himself 1 Samuel 24:16 - Is this 2 Samuel 14:19 - he put 1 Kings 3:12 - I have given 1 Chronicles 22:12 - Only the 2 Chronicles 9:23 - God Job 12:13 - wisdom Proverbs 16:1 - and Isaiah 9:6 - Counsellor Isaiah 32:4 - the tongue Isaiah 50:4 - God Isaiah 57:19 - the fruit Jeremiah 15:19 - as my Ezekiel 3:27 - I will Ezekiel 24:27 - thy Ezekiel 29:21 - the opening Daniel 1:17 - God Daniel 2:21 - he giveth Daniel 3:15 - we are Daniel 10:16 - touched Matthew 7:29 - having Matthew 10:1 - he gave Matthew 10:16 - wise Matthew 10:19 - when Matthew 10:20 - but Matthew 22:22 - they marvelled Mark 1:22 - they were Mark 13:11 - take Luke 4:22 - the gracious Luke 12:12 - General Luke 14:6 - General John 1:16 - of his John 5:19 - and Acts 4:16 - and we Acts 5:39 - if Acts 9:22 - confounded Acts 21:37 - General 1 Corinthians 1:27 - General 1 Corinthians 1:30 - wisdom 2 Corinthians 3:5 - but 2 Corinthians 12:9 - My grace 2 Corinthians 13:3 - Christ Ephesians 1:17 - the spirit Colossians 1:28 - in all 2 Timothy 2:7 - and James 3:17 - the wisdom 1 Peter 3:15 - and be 2 Peter 3:15 - according 1 John 5:20 - and hath

Cross-References

Genesis 21:1
The Lord cared for Sarah as he had said and did for her what he had promised.
Genesis 21:3
Abraham named his son Isaac, the son Sarah gave birth to.
Genesis 21:14
Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a leather bag full of water. He gave them to Hagar and sent her away. Carrying these things and her son, Hagar went and wandered in the desert of Beersheba.
Genesis 21:22
Then Abimelech came with Phicol, the commander of his army, and said to Abraham, "God is with you in everything you do.
Genesis 21:25
Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about Abimelech's servants who had seized a well of water.
2 Kings 3:9
So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. After they had marched seven days, there was no more water for the army or for their animals that were with them.
Psalms 63:1

A psalm of David when he was in the desert of Judah.

God, you are my God. I search for you. I thirst for you like someone in a dry, empty land where there is no water.
Isaiah 44:12
One workman uses tools to heat iron, and he works over hot coals. With his hammer he beats the metal and makes a statue, using his powerful arms. But when he becomes hungry, he loses his power. If he does not drink water, he becomes tired.
Jeremiah 14:3
The important men send their servants to get water. They go to the wells, but they find no water. So they return with empty jars. They are ashamed and embarrassed and cover their heads in shame.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For I will give you a mouth,.... A faculty of speaking, a freedom of expression, a door of utterance, a good degree of elocution, to speak properly, pertinently and freely to any point:

and wisdom; to answer with great propriety, and in the most prudent manner, to any difficult and ensnaring question; and to furnish with such knowledge of the Gospel, and with such gifts and abilities to preach and defend it, that they should be able to give a clear and distinct account of it, and prove every point in it, by the most strong and convincing arguments, and vindicate it against all objections:

which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist. This was remarkably fulfilled in Peter, and John, and in Stephen, Acts 4:13. The first word, "gainsay", is left out in the Syriac and Persic versions.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The account of the destruction of Jerusalem contained in this chapter has been fully considered in the notes at Matthew 24:0. All that will be necessary here will be an explanation of a few words that did not occur in that chapter.

Luke 21:9

Commotions - Insurrections. Subjects rising against their rulers.

Luke 21:11

Fearful sights - See Matthew 24:7.

Luke 21:12, Luke 21:13

Synagogues, and into prisons - See the notes at Mark 13:9-10.

Luke 21:14

Settle it, therefore, in your hearts - Fix it firmly in your minds - so firmly as to become a settled principle - that you are always to depend on God for aid in all your trials. See Mark 13:11.

Luke 21:15

A mouth - Eloquence, ability to speak as the case may demand. Compare Exodus 4:11.

Gainsay - Speak against. They will not be able to “reply” to it, or to “resist” the force of what you shall say.

Luke 21:18

A hair of your head perish - This is a proverbial expression, denoting that they should not suffer any essential injury. This was strikingly fulfilled in the fact that in the calamities of Jerusalem there is reason to believe that no Christian suffered. Before those calamities came on the city they had fled to “Pella,” a city on the east of the Jordan. See the notes at Matthew 24:18.

Luke 21:19

In your patience - Rather by your perseverance. The word “patience” here means constancy or perseverance in sustaining afflictions.

Possess ye your souls - Some read here the “future” instead of the “present” of the verb rendered “possess.” The word “possess” means here to “preserve” or keep, and the word “souls” means “lives.” This passage may be thus translated: By persevering in bearing these trials you “will” save your lives, or you will be safe; or, by persevering “preserve” your lives; that is, do not yield to these calamities, but bear up under them, for he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. Compare Matthew 24:13.

Luke 21:22

All things which are written may be fulfilled - Judgment had been threatened by almost all the prophets against that wicked city. They had spoken of its crimes and threatened its ruin. Once God had destroyed Jerusalem and carried the people to Babylon; but their crimes had been repeated when they returned, and God had again threatened their ruin. Particularly was this very destruction foretold by Daniel, Daniel 9:26-27; “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself; and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” See the notes at that passage.

Luke 21:24

Shall fall ... - No less than one million one hundred thousand perished in the siege of Jerusalem.

Shall be led away captive - More than 90,000 were led into captivity. See the notes at Matthew 24:0.

Shall be trodden down by the Gentiles - Shall be in possession of the Gentiles, or be subject to them. The expression also implies that it would be an “oppressive” subjection, as when a captive in war is trodden down under the feet of the conqueror. Anciently conquerors “trod on” the necks of those who were subdued by them, Jos 10:24; 2 Samuel 22:41; Ezekiel 21:29. The bondage of Jerusalem has been long and very oppressive. It was for a long time under the dominion of the Romans, then of the Saracens, and is now of the Turks, and is aptly represented by a captive stretched on the ground whose neck is “trodden” by the foot of the conqueror.

Until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled - This passage has been understood very differently by different expositors. Some refer it to the time which the Romans who conquered it had dominion over it, as signifying that “they” should keep possession of it until a part of the pagans should be converged, when it should be rebuilt. Thus it was rebuilt by the Emperor Adrian. Others suppose that it refers to the end of the world, when all the Gentiles shall be converted, and they shall “cease” to be Gentiles by becoming Christians, meaning that it should “always” be desolate. Others, that Christ meant to say that in the times of the millennium, when the gospel should spread universally, he would reign personally on the earth, and that the “Jews” would return and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. This is the opinion of the Jews and of many Christians. The meaning of the passage clearly is,

  1. That Jerusalem would be completely destroyed.
  2. That this would be done by Gentiles - that is, by the Roman armies.
  3. That this desolation would continue as long as God should judge it proper in a fit manner to express his abhorrence of the crimes of the nation - that is, until the times allotted to “them” by God for this desolation should be accomplished, without specifying how long that would be, or what would occur to the city after that.

It “may” be rebuilt, and inhabited by converted Jews. Such a thing is “possible,” and the Jews naturally seek that as their home; but whether this be so or not, the time when the “Gentiles,” as such, shall have dominion over the city is limited. Like all other cities on the earth, it will yet be brought under the influence of the gospel, and will be inhabited by the true friends of God. Pagan, infidel, anti-Christian dominion shall cease there, and it will be again a place where God will be worshipped in sincerity - a place “even then” of special interest from the recollection of the events which have occurred there. “How long” it is to be before this occurs is known only to Him “who hath put the times and seasons in his own power,” Acts 1:7.

Luke 21:25

See the notes at Matthew 24:29.

Upon the earth distress of nations - Some have proposed to render the word “earth” by “land,” confining it to Judea. It often has this meaning, and there seems some propriety in so using it here. The word translated “distress” denotes anxiety of mind - such an anxiety as people have when they do not know what to do to free themselves from calamities; and it means here that the calamities would be so great and overwhelming that they would not know what to do to escape. There would be a want of counsel, and deep anxiety at the impending evils.

With perplexity - Rather “on account” of their perplexity, or the desperate state of their affairs. The Syriac has it, “perplexity or wringing of hands,” which is a sign of deep distress and horror.

The sea and the waves roaring - This is not to be understood literally, but as an image of great distress. Probably it is designed to denote that these calamities would come upon them like a deluge. As when in a storm the ocean roars, and wave rolls on wave and dashes against the shore, and each succeeding surge is more violent than the one that preceded it, so would the calamities come upon Judea. They would roll over the whole land, and each wave of trouble would be more violent than the one that preceded it, until the whole country would be desolate. The same image is also used in Isaiah 8:7-8, and Revelation 18:15.

Luke 21:26

Men’s hearts failing them - This is an expression denoting the highest terror. The word rendered “failing” commonly denotes to “die,” and here it means that the terror would be so great that people would faint and be ready to die in view of the approaching calamities. And if this was true in respect to the judgments about to come upon Judea, how much more so will it be in the day of judgment, when the wicked will be arraigned before the Son of God, and when they shall have before them the prospect of the awful sufferings of hell - the pains and woes which shall continue forever! It will be no wonder, then, if they call on the rocks and mountains to hide them from the face of God, and if their hearts sink within them at the prospect of eternal suffering.

Luke 21:28

Your redemption draweth nigh - See the notes at Matthew 24:33. This is expressed in Luke 21:31 thus: “the kingdom of God is nigh at hand” - that is, from that time God will signally build up his kingdom. It shall be fully established when the Jewish policy shall come to an end; when the temple shall be destroyed, and the Jews scattered abroad. Then the power of the Jews shall be at an end; they shall no longer be able to persecute you, and you shall be completely delivered from all these trials and calamities in Judea.

Luke 21:34

Lest at any time your hearts be overcharged ... - The meaning of this verse is, “Be continually expecting these things. Do not forget them, and do not be “secure” and satisfied with this life and the good things which it furnishes. Do not suffer yourselves to be drawn into the fashions of the world; to be conformed to its customs; to partake of its feasts and revelry; and so these calamities shall come upon you when you least expect them.” And from this we may learn - what alas! we may from the “lives” of many professing Christians - that there is need of cautioning the disciples of Jesus now that they do not indulge in the festivities of this life, and “forget” that they are to die and come to judgment. How many, alas! who bear the Christian name, have forgotten this caution of the Saviour, and live as if their lives were secure; as if they feared not death; as if there were no heaven and no judgment! Christians should feel that they are soon to die, and that their portion is not in this life; and, feeling this, they should be “looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.”

Overcharged - Literally, “be made heavy,” as is the case with those who have eaten and drunken too much.

Surfeiting - Excessive eating and drinking, so as to oppress the body; indulgence in the pleasures of the table. This word does not include “intoxication,” but merely indulgence in food and drink, though the food and drink should be in themselves lawful.

Drunkenness - Intoxication, intemperance in drinking. The ancients were not acquainted with the poison that we chiefly use on which to become drunk. They had no distilled spirits. They became intoxicated on wine, and strong drink made of a mixture of dates, honey, etc. All nations have contrived some way to become intoxicated - to bring in folly, and disease, and poverty, and death, by drunkenness; and in nothing is the depravity of men more manifest than in thus endeavoring to hasten the ravages of crime and death.

Luke 21:35

As a snare - In Matthew and Mark Jesus compares the suddenness with which these calamities would come to the deluge coming in the days of Noah. Here he likens it to a snare. Birds are caught by a snare or net. It is sprung on them quickly, and when they are not expecting it. So, says he, shall these troubles come upon Judea. The figure is often used to denote the suddenness of calamities, Psalms 69:22; Romans 11:9; Psalms 124:7; Isaiah 24:17.

Luke 21:36

To stand before the Son of man - These approaching calamities are represented as the “coming of the Son of man” to judge Jerusalem for its crimes. Its inhabitants were so wicked that they were not worthy to stand before him and would be condemned, and the city would be overthrown. To “stand before him” here denotes approbation, acquittal, favor, and is equivalent to saying that “they” would be free from these calamities, while they should come upon others. See Romans 14:4; Psalms 1:5; Psalms 130:3; Revelation 6:17. Perhaps, also, there is a reference here to the day of judgment. See the notes at Matthew 24:0.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Luke 21:15. I will give you a mouth and wisdom — στομα, a mouth, must appear plain to every person to be used here for a ready utterance, or eloquence in speaking. They shall have an abundance of wisdom to know what to say; and they shall have an irresistible eloquence to say what they ought.


 
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