Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 21:12

"But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you, and shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name`s sake." — Luke 21:12 (ASV)

Encouragement during persecution. In its content this section bears some similarity to Mk 13:9–13 and also the account of the sending out of the Twelve (Matthew 10:17–22). (1) Luke omits the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles (Matthew 10:18) and around the world (Mark 13:10). (2) He gives a promise of wisdom in time of persecution, though there is no reference to the Holy Spirit. (3) Unique to Luke is the phrase “not a hair of your head” (v.18). (4) Luke stresses that those who persevere, even if they lose physical life, will preserve spiritual life (v.19).