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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Luk_21:12-19
12"But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake. 13It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. 14So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. 16But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17and you will be hated by all because of My name. 18Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Luk_21:12 There have been many examples both in Acts and in church history of this kind of persecution of believers. Notice the different types of persecution (i.e., "lay hands on," a LXX idiom).
1. synagogues – beatings for violation of Mosaic Law or judicial decision (cf. Deu_25:1-3; Mat_19:17; Mat_23:34; Mar_13:9; Act_6:9-10)
2. local governmental authorities (i.e., the different sons of Herod)
3. Roman authorities (Proconsuls or Procurators)
a. regional
b. in Rome
The NASB Study Bible (footnote Luk_21:12, p. 1503) asserts that the synagogue was also used as a place of confinement until trial.
Luk_21:13 Persecution can lead to proclamation opportunities (e.g., Paul in prison in Rome). It is surprising that Luke does not retain Mark's wording at this point because it fits Luke's purpose in writing his Gospel so well (i.e., Mar_13:10, "and the Gospel must be preached to all the nations")!
Luk_21:14-15 This does not refer to regular sermon preparation and Bible lessons, but to specific testimony in the face of persecution and trials before governmental authorities (cf. Luk_12:11-12).
Luk_21:16 "you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends" Faith in Christ will divide families and lifelong friends (cf. Mat_10:21; Mar_13:12).
Luk_21:17 "you will be hated by all because of My name" This is a Periphrastic future passive. The presence of "all" shows it is a hyperbole (exaggeration). Christians will be hated because of their identification with Jesus of Nazareth. The early church was accused of (1) atheism; (2) treason; (3) incest; and (4) cannibalism, which were all related to a misunderstanding of Christian doctrines, terminologies, and worship procedures. Persecution for Christ's sake is a NT evidence of believer's salvation and effective Christian living.
Luk_21:18 "Yet not a hair of your head will perish" This is a strong double negative. Luk_21:18 seems to contradict Luk_21:16. However, it must be understood that the main thrust here is (1) God is in control of history (2) physical death is not ultimate for believers.
Jesus used this same OT idiom of protection (cf. 1Sa_14:45; 2Sa_14:11; 1Ki_1:52) in previous sermons (cf. Luk_12:7; Mat_10:30).
▣ "perish" This is the Greek term apollumi. See Special Topic at Luk_19:10.
Robert B. Girdlestone, Synonyms of the Old Testament, p. 276, points out that there are several places where this term cannot be translated annihilation, "but such injury as makes the object practically useless for its original purpose."
1. the waste of ointment, Mat_26:8
2. destruction of old wine skins, Mat_9:17
3. destruction of hair, Luk_21:18
4. destruction of food, Joh_6:27
5. destruction of gold, 1Pe_1:7
6. destruction of the world, 2Pe_3:6
7. destruction of the physical body, Mat_2:13; Mat_8:25; Mat_12:14; Mat_21:41; Mat_22:7; Mat_26:52; Mat_27:20; Rom_2:12; Rom_14:15; and 1Co_8:11
This never refers to the annihilation of the person, but the end of bodily existence. It is also commonly used in a moral sense. "All men are regarded as morally destroyed, i.e., they have failed to carry out the intention for which the race was called into being" (p. 276). God's response to this problem was Jesus Christ (cf. Joh_3:15-16 and 2Pe_3:9). Those who reject the gospel are now subject to a further destruction, which does involve body and spirit (cf. 1Co_1:18; 2Co_2:15; 2Co_4:3; 2Th_2:10). For the opposite opinion see Fudge, The Fire That Consumes.
Luk_21:19 This same emphasis on perseverance is found in Luk_21:36. True faith is a faith that lasts! See hyperlink at Luk_8:13.
There is a Greek manuscript variant in the verb.
1. Aorist middle (deponent) imperative (cf. MSS à , D. L, W)
2. Future middle indicative (cf. MSS A, B, and most ancient versions)
The UBS4 chooses #1, but "with difficulty" ("C" rating). The UBS3 gave #1 a D rating, "with great difficulty."
▣ "your lives" This is the Greek word psuchç (souls), which reflects the Hebrew word nephesh (BDB 659, i.e., physical life). Because of Luk_21:16 this must refer to one's spiritual life. Christians will be killed but they have eternal life (cf. Mat_10:28). See the word play between the two meanings at Mar_8:35-37.