Luke 21

And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

In your patience possess ye your souls.

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

What does Luke 21:10 mean?

Explanation

Luke 21:10 is a part of what is often referred to as the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus speaks to His disciples about the signs that will precede the end times.

In this particular verse, Jesus warns that a symptom of the approaching end times will be the increased conflict between nations and kingdoms.

The verse tends to be understood both literally and figuratively. Literally, it suggests a rise in international conflicts and wars. Figuratively, it can symbolize the amplifying of social and spiritual turmoil as humanity moves towards the prophesied end of the age.

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Historical Context

The verse is set in the context of Jesus' teaching on the Mount of Olives, shortly before His passion and crucifixion. At that time, Judea was a province of the Roman Empire, and nationalistic and messianic expectations were high among the Jewish people.

Many sought a savior to liberate them from Roman rule. It's within this politically charged and uncertain atmosphere that Jesus predicts not only local upheaval but widespread international conflict.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse seems to underscore the notion of eschatological events, events related to the end times.

Different Christian doctrines interpret it in various ways:

Premillennialists may view this as a clear indication of the physical wars that will occur before the second coming of Christ.
Amillennialists often interpret the passage more symbolically, considering these conflicts as part of the ongoing struggle between good and evil that the Church endures throughout the present age.
Postmillennialists might interpret these conflicts as part of the struggles that humanity will overcome as the world progressively improves before Christ's return.

Practical Applications

For individuals and churches today, the teachings of this verse can serve as a reminder to maintain a peaceful stance and promote reconciliation in a world that is full of conflict.

It can encourage Christians to act as peacemakers, both on a personal level and in broader society, playing a role in alleviating tensions rather than contributing to them.

Cross-References

Matthew 24:6-7: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom..."

Mark 13:7-8: "...and when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom..."

Language Study

The word "nation" in the original Greek text is "ethnos," which can refer to a group of individuals characterized by cultural or national ties.

"Kingdom" comes from the Greek "basileia," often used to denote a realm or territory governed by a king. In this context, the use of "ethnos" and "basileia" highlights not only physical territories and political entities but also cultural and ethnic groups in conflict.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a tumultuous end times narrative with nations in conflict has parallels in other religious and cultural mythology.

For example, in Norse mythology, Ragnarok is a series of events including a great battle.

In Hinduism, the Kali Yuga is an age of strife and conflict, which is part of a cycle of Yugas or epochs.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly relate to scientific perspectives, the implications of widespread conflict carry weight in sociopolitical and anthropological studies.

Scientists might study the causes and effects of war from a psychological, social, or ecological standpoint, exploring how conflict arises, its impact on societies, and ways to mitigate it.

Commentaries

Scholars and theologians offer varied commentaries on Luke 21:10:

Some commentaries focus on its eschatological significance, underscoring the patterns of conflict as signs of the end times.
Others suggest that Jesus used the prediction of national upheavals to urge His followers to remain steadfast in their faith amid tumultuous times.
Still, others highlight the verse as part of Jesus' larger discourse on being prepared and watchful, interpreting conflicts as part of the trials that precede God's ultimate plan for redemption.

Luke 21

Luke 21

What does Luke 21:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 21:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?