12:12

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason why the disciples should not worry about their defense (12:11b). They should not worry because the Holy Spirit will help them know what to say. Express this connection in a natural way in your language.

at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say: This clause indicates that when Jesus’ disciples were at the court, the Holy Spirit would cause them to know what they should say. Most English versions have translated the verb literally as “teach.”

at that time: The phrase at that time refers to the time when the disciples needed to speak in court.

what you should say: The clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as what you should say refers to what was necessary or right for the disciples to say to the people in the court. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

what you must say (New Century Version)
-or-
what is the right thing for you to say (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
the best way to respond

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