Lexical Summary promerimnaó: To be anxious beforehand, to worry in advance. Original Word: προμεριμνάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be anxious beforehand. From pro and merimnao; to care (anxiously) in advance -- take thought beforehand. see GREEK pro see GREEK merimnao NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and merimnaó Definition to be anxious beforehand NASB Translation worry beforehand (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4305: προμεριμνάωπρομεριμνάω; to be anxious beforehand: Mark 13:11 (Clement of Alexandria, strom. 4, 9, 72; (Hippolytus ref. haer. 6, 52, p. 330, 69; 8, 15, p. 432, 3)). Topical Lexicon Meaning in Context In Mark 13:11 the Lord Jesus Christ exhorts His disciples, “Do not worry beforehand about what you will say”. The verb translated “worry beforehand” captures a uniquely forward-looking anxiety—a mental preoccupation fixed on imagined future threats rather than present realities. By locating the command within His eschatological discourse, Jesus shifts the disciples’ focus from self-preservation to confident dependence on the immediacy of divine help. Biblical Occurrence and Immediate Setting Mark 13 portrays a coming wave of persecution: arrests, trials before synagogues and governors, and family betrayal (Mark 13:9-13). Into that turbulent scene the single New Testament use of this verb appears. The One who foretells the shaking of heaven and earth also promises the faithful that “it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11). The command therefore rests on the certainty that God’s Spirit will be present at the precise moment of interrogation, supplying both courage and content. Historical Background Mark’s Gospel was likely circulated among believers facing growing hostility under Roman rule. Jewish Christians were expelled from synagogues; Gentile Christians labored under suspicion of disloyalty to Caesar. In such conditions disciples naturally rehearsed potential defenses. Jesus’ prohibition against anxious pre-meditation did not forbid thoughtful preparation in ordinary ministry (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15) but targeted the panicked self-reliance that forgets God’s sovereignty when persecution looms. Theological Themes 1. Divine Provision of Speech: The promise corresponds to Old Testament patterns where God put His words into the mouths of Moses (Exodus 4:12) and the prophets (Jeremiah 1:9). Comparative Passages Though Mark 13:11 contains the only use of this precise verb, parallel sayings employ the cognate “do not worry” (Matthew 10:19; Luke 12:11). Each context promises Spirit-given utterance, showing a unified synoptic tradition that anxiety is unwarranted when divine aid is guaranteed. Practical Ministry Implications • Proclamation Under Persecution: Believers serving in restricted regions may prepare faithfully yet release the outcome to the Spirit, trusting Him to tailor their words to each tribunal. Balanced Preparation Jesus’ command does not sanction indolence. Paul’s habit of reasoning from the Scriptures (Acts 17:2) and Peter’s directive to be ready to give a defense (1 Peter 3:15) affirm disciplined preparation. The prohibition addresses anxiety, not study. Spiritual confidence and intellectual stewardship therefore function together without contradiction. Encouragement for Today’s Church The unique verb in Mark 13:11 crystallizes a timeless lesson: foreknowledge of difficulty is not a divine invitation to fear but a summons to Spirit-filled boldness. Christ’s disciples, whether standing before ancient councils or modern courts of opinion, may lay aside “worry beforehand,” assured that the same Spirit who inspired Scripture continues to inspire their witness. Forms and Transliterations προμεριμνατε προμεριμνάτε προμεριμνᾶτε promerimnate promerimnâteLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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