Bible Strands
Matthew 10:20
For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the twelve during the sending commission (Matthew 10:1–5), specifically in the moment of anticipated persecution (v. 19).
The words — λαλοῦντες (lalountes) is the verb for informal, ongoing speech — "talking" rather than a formal declaration — and it is the action from which the disciples are displaced by the οὐ…ἀλλὰ ("not…but") contrast.
The thread — The same pattern appears in 2 Samuel 23:2 (the Spirit spoke through David), Luke 21:15 (Jesus gives speech and wisdom that adversaries cannot resist), and Acts 6:10 (Stephen spoke by the Spirit).
Why it lands — It strips the speaker of authorship in the most vulnerable moment: you are not the one talking, and you are not prepared to be.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.
- Luke 21:15 For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- Acts 6:10 but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
- Luke 12:12 For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”
- 2 Peter 1:21 For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
- Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!
- 2 Corinthians 13:3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful among you.
- Mark 12:36 Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David himself declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’
- Acts 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.