Matthew 10:20
in Matthew 10For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.
KJV
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
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This verse in Matthew 10
Commentary
16 notes on this verse"For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries will not be able to resist or contradict." As if He openly says to His weakening members: Do not be terrified, do not be afraid; you approach the contest, but I fight; you utter the words, but I am the one who speaks.
This site's exposition
take no thought how or what ye shall speak
on Matthew 10:19-20
Take no thought how or what ye shall speak promises help in the hour of trial itself rather than removing the trial, and the reason given is direct, for it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. The bench is careful to bound the promise to its setting, testimony under arrest for the gospel's sake, and not to extend it into a general excuse for unprepared teaching or careless speech in ordinary life. The verse names the Spirit as the Father's own Spirit speaking through the disciple, an early Trinitarian thread Matthew will draw out fully at 28:19.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
(Verse 19, 20.) But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you should say. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should say. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Above, he said: For they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake. Therefore, when we are brought before judges because of Christ, we should only offer our own will for Christ.
To be sure, we heard in that reading, "But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious how or what you are to speak … for it is not you who are speaking but the Spirit of your Father who speaks through you." And he says in another place: "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." Does this mean that the people who heard those words of the Lord would be here until the end of the world? The Lord was referring, rather, not only to those about to depart from this life but also to the others, including us and those who would come after us in this life. He saw everyone in his single body, and the words he spoke, "I am with you even to the end of the world," were heard by them and by us too. And if we did not hear them then in our knowledge, we heard them in his foreknowledge. Therefore, safe as sheep among the wolves, let us keep the commandments of him who directs us. And let us be "innocent as doves but cautious as snakes." Innocent as doves that we may not harm anyone; cautious as snakes that we may be careful of letting anyone harm us.
And by this their testimony not only was all excuse of ignorance of His divinity taken away from their persecutors, but also to the Gentiles was opened the way of believing on Christ, who was thus devotedly preached by the voices of the confessors among the flames of persecution; and this is that He adds, and the Gentiles. For our faith, observing all the precepts of the Divine will, will be instructed with an answer according to knowledge, after the example of Abraham, to whom when he had given up Isaac, there was not wanting a ram for a victim. For it is not ye who speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.
When then we are brought before judges for Christ's sake, we ought to offer only our will for Christ. But Christ who dwelleth in us speaks for Himself, and the grace of the Holy Spirit will minister in our answer.
A commentator
John ChrysostomHomily on the Gospel of Matthew 33 · Written in the 5th century.
proposed
And together with these, He adds another, and that no small consolation for them, saying, "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you." For lest they should say, "How shall we be able to persuade men, when such things are taking place?" He bids them be confident as to their defense also. And elsewhere indeed He saith, "I will give you a mouth and wisdom;" but here, "It is the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you," advancing them unto the dignity of the prophets. Therefore, when He had spoken of the power that was given, then He added also the terrors, the murders, and the slaughters. For this cause then, though He said, "Take no thought what ye shall speak;" yet elsewhere He saith, "Be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you." That is, as long as the contest is among friends, He commands us also to take thought; but when there is a terrible tribunal, and frantic assemblies, and terrors on all sides, He bestows the influence from Himself, that they may take courage and speak out, and not be discouraged, nor betray the righteous cause. For in truth it was a very great thing, for a man occupied about lakes, and skins, and receipt of custom, when tyrants were on their thrones, and satraps, and guards standing by them, and the swords drawn, and all standing on their side; to enter in alone, bound, hanging down his head, and yet be able to open his mouth. For indeed they allowed them neither speech nor defense with respect to their doctrines, but set about torturing them to death, as common pests of the world. […]
9 more voices on this verse
The Church Fathers1 voice
How or what, one refers to the substance, the other to the expression in words. And because both of these would be supplied by Him, there was no need for the holy preachers to be anxious about either. (ap. Raban.) Meaning, Ye indeed go out to the battle, but it is I who fight; you utter the words, but it is I who speak. Hence Paul speaks, Seek ye a proof of Christ who speaketh in me? (2 Cor. 13:3.)
The Medieval Church2 voices
But who is the author? Certainly the Holy Spirit, for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Something like this is expressed by Paul in 2 Corinthians (13:3): "Do you want proof that Christ is speaking in …
"But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father Which speaketh in …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
For it is not ye that speak,....
These things, though primarily intended for direction to the apostles, are of use to all Christ's ministers, with whom, by his word, Christ, and will be always to end the world.
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
For it is - the Spirit of your Father, etc. - This was an extraordinary promise, and was literally fulfilled to those first preachers of the Gospel; and to them it was essentially necessary, because the New Testament dispensation was to be fully opened by their extraordinary inspiration. In a certain measure, it may be truly said, that the Holy Spirit animates the true disciples of Christ, and enables them to speak. The Head speaks in his members, by his Spirit; and it is the province of the Spirit of God to speak for God.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you--How remarkably this has been verified, the whole history of persecution thrillingly proclaims--from the Acts of the Apostles to the latest martyrology.
The truths contained in these verses should be pondered by all who try to do good in the world. To the selfish man who cares for nothing but his own ease or comfort, there may seem to be little in them. To the minister of the Gospel, and to everyone who seeks to save souls, these verses ought to be full of interest. No doubt there is much in them which applies especially to the days of the apostles; but there is much also which applies to all times.
The truths contained in these verses should be pondered by all who try to do good in the world. To the selfish man who cares for nothing but his own ease or comfort, there may seem to be little in them. To the minister of the Gospel, and to everyone who seeks to save souls, these verses ought to be full of interest. No doubt there is much in them which applies especially to the days of the apostles; but there is much also which applies to all times. We see for one thing, that those who would do good to souls must be moderate in their expectations. They must not think that universal success will attend their labors. They must reckon on meeting with much opposition; they must make up their minds to be hated, persecuted, and ill-used, and that too by their nearest relations. They will often find themselves “like sheep in the midst of wolves” let us bear this in mind continually. Whether we preach, or teach, or visit from house to house, whether we write or give counsel, or whatever we do, let it be a settled principle with us not to expect more than Scripture and experience warrant. Human nature is far more wicked and corrupt than we think: the power of evil is far greater than we suppose. It is vain to imagine that everybody will see what is good for them, and believe what we tell them: it is expecting what we shall not find, and will only end in disappointment. Happy is that laborer for Christ who knows these things at his first starting and has not have to learn them by bitter experience! Here lies the secret cause why many have turned back, who once seemed full of zeal to do good. They began with extravagant expectations; they did not “count the cost.” They fell into the mistake of the great German Reformer who confessed he forgot at one time that “Old Adam was too strong for young Melanchthon.”
The words behind it
16 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| οὐ | ou | Not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| ὑμεῖς | humeis | you yourselves | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| ἐστε | este | are | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| οἱ | hoi | [the] ones | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| λαλοῦντες | lalountes | speaking | G2980 → | 294 times |
| ἀλλὰ | alla | but | G235 → | 635 times |
| τὸ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| πνεῦμα | pneuma | Spirit | G4151 → | 378 times |
| τοῦ | tou | of the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| πατρὸς | patros | Father | G3962 → | 410 times |
| ὑμῶν | humon | of you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| τὸ | to | who | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| λαλοῦν | laloun | is speaking | G2980 → | 294 times |
| ἐν | en | through | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| ὑμῖν.¶ | humin | you. | G4771 → | 2973 times |
οὐNot
ouG3756 →1664 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
ὑμεῖςyou yourselves
humeisG4771 →2973 times
ἐστεare
esteG1510 →2333 times
οἱ[the] ones
hoiG3588 →19766 times
λαλοῦντεςspeaking
lalountesG2980 →294 times
ἀλλὰbut
allaG235 →635 times
τὸthe
toG3588 →19766 times
πνεῦμαSpirit
pneumaG4151 →378 times
τοῦof the
touG3588 →19766 times
πατρὸςFather
patrosG3962 →410 times
ὑμῶνof you
humonG4771 →2973 times
τὸwho
toG3588 →19766 times
λαλοῦνis speaking
lalounG2980 →294 times
ἐνthrough
enG1722 →2738 times
ὑμῖν.¶you.
huminG4771 →2973 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Luke 21:15For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
it leads to
- Acts 6:10
but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Jeremiah 1:9
Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
- Ephesians 6:19
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
- Acts 6:10
Through
Luke 12:12For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”
it leads to
- Luke 21:15
For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Luke 21:15
Through
2 Peter 1:21For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
it leads to
- 2 Timothy 3:15–17
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
- 2 Samuel 23:2
The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.
- 1 Peter 1:11
trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
- Luke 1:70
as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
- 2 Timothy 3:15–17
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies7
About Matthew
This page draws on 15 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Augustine of Hippo, SERMON 64A.2; Gregory the Dialogist, Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 35; Hilary of Poitiers, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Commentary on Matthew; Jerome, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; John Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 33; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Remigius of Rheims, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Matthew and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Matthew.