Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 12:11

"And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:" — Luke 12:11 (ASV)

And when they bring you to the synagogues.—See Note on Matthew 10:18-19. What had been a special promise to the Twelve is now extended to all whom the Lord calls His friends. Note, as characteristic of St. Luke's phraseology, the combination “magistrates” (better, principalities, or authorities) and “powers,” the same combination of the two words meeting us again in Luke 20:20, and 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 1:16; Colossians 2:15; Titus 3:1. It would seem to be one of the many phrases which had passed from the Evangelist to the Apostle, or conversely.