Mat 10:19, Mar 13:11, Luk 21:14 | Barnes | STEP | Verses 19,20. Take no thought . That is, be not anxious, or unduly solicitous. . God would inspire them. This was a full promise that they should be inspired, and was a most seasonable consolation. Poor, and ignorant, and obscure fishermen would naturally be solicitous what they should say before the great men of the earth. Eastern people regarded kings as raised far above common mortals: as approaching to divinity. How consoling, then, the assurance that God would aid them, and speak within them! (m) "But when"

Matthew 10:19

Verses 19,20. Take no thought. That is, be not anxious, or unduly solicitous. Mt 6:26. God would inspire them. This was a full promise that they should be inspired, and was a most seasonable consolation. Poor, and ignorant, and obscure fishermen would naturally be solicitous what they should say before the great men of the earth. Eastern people regarded kings as raised far above common mortals: as approaching to divinity. How consoling, then, the assurance that God would aid them, and speak within them!

(m) "But when" Mk 13:11, Lk 12:11, 21:14,15

Mark 13:11

Verse 11. Neither do ye premeditate. Do not think beforehand, or prepare an answer. You know not what the accusations will be; and God will furnish you with a reply that shall be adapted to the occasion.

Not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. This is a full promise that they should be inspired; and consequently their defences recorded in the Acts of the Apostles are the words of the Holy Ghost. There could be no more explicit promise that they should be under an infallible guidance; and we are not left to doubt that they were taught of God. At the same time, this was a most desirable and gracious aid. They were illiterate, unknown, without power. They were unfit of themselves to make the important statements of religion which were requisite. But God gave them power, and they spake with a wisdom, fearlessness, pungency, and ability, which no other men have ever manifested--full proof that these illiterate fishermen were under the influence of the Holy Ghost.

(h) "Holy Ghost" Ac 2:4 4:8,31 6:10

Luke 21:14

Verse 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. Mk 13:11.

(m) "not to meditate" Mk 13:11