Matthew 10:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To the foregoing topics of consolation, He adds another not a little one; that they should not say, How shall we be able to persuade such men as these, when they shall persecute us? He bids them be of good courage respecting their answer, saying, When they shall deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak.

To prevent any suspicion that natural talent is responsible for the defense, he affirms: It is not you who will speak, but the Spirit.

In this passage, we find the words: When you are brought before others, do not be anxious about what you should say, for it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father who will speak through you. Additionally, He declares, And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Will those who first heard that message continue to be present until the end of time? However, the Lord's care extends not only to those departing this life but also to all of us and to those who will follow in our footsteps, as He viewed all of us together within His body. Thus, this Voice proclaiming, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, resonates not only with them, but also with us today.

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.

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.

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.

To provide further assurance to the apostles, He did not mention: ‘The Spirit of your Father speaking through you,’ but rather: Who speaks, to illustrate that the Spirit operates within them, emphasizing that they accomplish nothing on their own accord apart from the Spirit of God. It is as if He communicated to them: ‘Especially because you have faith in Me and declare that I am true. You witness My hunger, acknowledging that I am the bread of heaven. You observe My thirst, recognizing that I am the fountain of water that leads to everlasting life. What sort of mindset is it that perceives one reality yet believes another and affirms it? Therefore, if My grace is active in you even in times of peace, how much more will it be present when you face persecution? For He who upholds you in tranquility will be even more present to strengthen you in the midst of conflict.’

Observe, says St. Chrysostom, how the Savior Christ accompanies each sorrow with a corresponding comfort. Regarding those who reject Him, He declares that it will be more bearable for the regions of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that city. Similarly, after stating that they will bring you before rulers and kings, He adds, "for My sake, as a witness before them and the Gentiles." To bear suffering for Christ and to endure reproach from the Gentiles is a significant burden. Their assurance lies in the fact that He, who foresaw and predicted these trials, would always be with them, ensuring that they would not be looked upon as criminals or wrongdoers.

Do not worry about how to respond or what to say when you face trials; the Holy Spirit, who resides within you, will provide the words you need. (John 14:16-17)

He cautioned them that they would face significant trials during their current and future ministry, as they would encounter persecution, be beaten in synagogues, and stand before governors and kings. Nevertheless, they should not fret about their responses, for at that moment, inspiration would be provided from above. The message of peace would be distorted by the wicked desires of humanity into a battle cry fueled by anger and animosity, necessitating their escape from the wrath of their adversaries from one city to another. They must persevere until the end, for they will not be able to traverse the cities of Israel before the Son of Man arrives.

"Do not be anxious," etc.: it is understandable for humble, uneducated fishermen to feel uncertain and distressed when facing learned and powerful authorities. The Lord comforts them, urging them not to worry about how to respond, as the Spirit of the Father, namely the Holy Spirit, the third person of the blessed Trinity (John 14:16-17, 26, John 15:26, John 16:7-14), will speak through them in that moment. The Lord emphatically affirms the divine guidance behind the preaching of His apostles.

The Lord proceeded with His guidance, indicating to the apostles the trials that lay ahead in their ministry: Be aware of men, for you will be handed over to their forces; in their councils, you will face scourging, and before rulers and kings, you will be taken for my sake, serving as a testimony to them and to the nations. When you find yourselves betrayed, do not ponder how or what you will say, for at that moment, God will speak through you. You will not be the voice, but the Spirit of your Father will speak within you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father will hand over his child; children will rise against parents and cause their demise. You will be despised by all because of My name, yet the one who remains steadfast until the end will be saved. The Lord consistently cautioned His followers about the suffering that the proclaimers of the Good News would face.