But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
LUKE 21:12KJVWhat does Luke 21:12 mean?
Luke 21:12 means that before the dramatic events Jesus has just described, his followers will face arrest, persecution, and be handed over to religious and political authorities because of their association with him. Jesus is warning his disciples that hardship and opposition will come specifically because they identify with his name.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples in Jerusalem, preparing them for the difficulties they will encounter as his followers. He tells them that they will be seized, persecuted, and brought before both Jewish (synagogues) and non-Jewish (kings and rulers) authorities. The focus is on the reality that following Jesus will bring real-world consequences, including imprisonment and public trials, not just spiritual challenges.
The Greek behind Luke 21:12
- The word "persecute" (διώξουσιν, diōxousin) comes from the Greek διώκω (diōkō), which means to pursue or harass. This word carries the sense of being actively hunted or pressured, not just passively disliked.
- "Delivering you up" (παραδιδόντες, paradidontes) is from παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi), meaning to hand over or betray. This highlights that the disciples will be turned over to authorities, sometimes by others.
- "For my name's sake" (ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός μου, heneken tou onomatos mou) uses ὄνομα (onoma), meaning "name," which in this context refers to Jesus' identity and authority. The trouble comes specifically because of allegiance to Jesus, not just general trouble.
Why Luke 21:12 matters
- Luke 21:12 clarifies that suffering and opposition are not signs of failure or abandonment, but are expected experiences for Jesus' followers.
- The verse shows that the persecution will come from both religious and secular sources, emphasizing that following Jesus can bring conflict in many areas of life.
- This warning sets the stage for the rest of Jesus’ teaching in this chapter, helping readers understand that faithfulness may lead to hardship before any final deliverance or resolution.