What is the context?
Jesus now says that before these things, His followers will be seized, brought before religious authorities and imprisoned, and made to appear before kings and governors because of His name. He describes these experiences as opportunities to bear witness.
He tells them not to worry beforehand about their defense and promises to give them speech and wisdom their opponents cannot withstand. This instruction concerns their response when brought before hostile authorities.
The warning reaches close to home: relatives and friends will betray them, they will face hatred, and some will be killed. Alongside that warning, Jesus promises that not even a hair will perish and calls them to patient endurance. The promise must be heard together with His explicit warning that some will die.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christian readings commonly see a call to enduring trust in God through suffering, with Christ’s help for the testimony His followers must give. Wesley relates the promise about their hair to God’s care and reward, while Calvin describes entrusting one’s life to God even while facing death. These readings keep the promise together with the warning of martyrdom. (Wesley on Luke 21:18–19; Calvin on Luke 21:19)
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Acts gives concrete examples of the promised witness. Peter speaks before rulers while filled with the Holy Spirit, and Stephen’s opponents cannot withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which he speaks. Stephen is nevertheless killed, praying that Jesus will receive his spirit. God’s help in bearing witness and the reality of suffering appear together in Luke’s continuing account. (Acts 4:8–13; Acts 6:8–12; Acts 7:54–60)
Paul later stands before Agrippa and testifies to the suffering and resurrection of Christ and the light reaching Israel and the Gentiles. He wants those hearing him to share his faith. The forced appearance before rulers becomes an occasion for the saving message to reach people who might otherwise never have heard that witness. (Acts 26:19–29)
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.