King James Version

What Does Mark 13:11 Mean?

Mark 13:11 in the King James Version says “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premedit... — study this verse from Mark chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Mark 13:11 · KJV


Context

9

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

10

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

11

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

12

Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

13

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake : but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak—the Greek mē promerimnate (μὴ προμεριμνᾶτε) means 'do not pre-plan anxiously.' This isn't prohibiting preparation (Paul reasoned carefully—Acts 17:2) but anxiety-driven scripting. Whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost (Greek to pneuma to hagion, τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον).

This promises supernatural enablement during persecution. The Spirit gives words (Acts 4:8 Peter filled with Spirit before Sanhedrin; 7:55 Stephen saw heaven opened). This isn't excuse for lazy sermon preparation—context is persecution, not regular teaching. The promise applies when arrested for Christ, brought before hostile authorities. God demonstrates power through weak vessels—eloquence comes from Spirit, not human ability. This sustained martyrs through centuries: they testified boldly despite no formal training, confounding accusers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Early Christians experienced this precisely. Acts records Spirit-empowered testimony: Peter and John confounded Sanhedrin (Acts 4:13, 'unlearned and ignorant men'); Stephen's accusers 'were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake' (Acts 6:10); Paul's defenses before Felix, Festus, Agrippa demonstrated Spirit's wisdom. Church history records martyrs' Spirit-enabled courage: Polycarp, Perpetua, Reformers—none prepared speeches yet testified powerfully. Modern persecuted believers report similar experiences: words given in moment, clarity under pressure, boldness beyond natural capacity. The promise isn't for comfortable Christians but those facing hostile examination. Context matters: regular teaching requires study (2 Timothy 2:15); crisis testimony receives supernatural aid.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does distinguishing regular teaching (requiring preparation) from crisis testimony (receiving Spirit's words) prevent misapplying this promise?
  2. What does Spirit-given speech reveal about God's character—His commitment to sustain and vindicate His people under persecution?
  3. How might anticipating Spirit's help during persecution change Christians' attitude toward suffering for Christ's sake?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
ὅταν1 of 33

when

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

δὲ2 of 33

But

G1161

but, and, etc

ἄγαγωσιν3 of 33

they shall lead

G71

properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce

ὑμᾶς4 of 33

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

παραδιδόντες5 of 33

up

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

μὴ6 of 33

no

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

προμεριμνᾶτε7 of 33

take

G4305

to care (anxiously) in advance

τί8 of 33

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

λαλοῦντες9 of 33

speak

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

μηδὲ10 of 33

neither

G3366

but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor

μελετᾶτε·11 of 33

do ye premeditate

G3191

to take care of, i.e., (by implication) revolve in the mind

ἀλλὰ12 of 33

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

13 of 33

whatsoever

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐὰν14 of 33

shall be

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

δοθῇ15 of 33

given

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ὑμῖν16 of 33

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἐν17 of 33

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐκείνῃ18 of 33

that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

τῇ19 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὥρᾳ20 of 33

hour

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

τοῦτο21 of 33

that

G5124

that thing

λαλοῦντες22 of 33

speak

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

οὐ23 of 33

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

γάρ24 of 33

ye for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἐστε25 of 33

it is

G2075

ye are

ὑμεῖς26 of 33

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

οἱ27 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαλοῦντες28 of 33

speak

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

ἀλλὰ29 of 33

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

τὸ30 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεῦμα31 of 33

Ghost

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

τὸ32 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἅγιον33 of 33

the Holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 13:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 13:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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