Luke 21:15

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 21:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.
Luke 21:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For I will give you a mouth, etc.] 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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:15 I will give you the right words: God often assured his prophets that he would give them the words to say (Exod 4:12, 15; Deut 18:18; Isa 50:4; 51:16; Jer 1:9). Jesus’ disciples were to prepare themselves to be clear witnesses (see Col 4:5-6; 2 Tim 2:21; 1 Pet 3:15), knowing that the Spirit would help them to respond as powerfully as Jesus had done (Luke 20:20-44).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I will: Luk 24:45; Exo 4:11, Exo 4:12; Pro 2:6; Jer 1:9; Act 2:4, Act 4:8-13, Act 4:31-33; Eph 6:19; Col 4:3, Col 4:4; Jam 1:5 which: Act 6:10, Act 24:25, Act 26:28; Ti2 4:16, Ti2 4:17 Luke 21:16”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification