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 21:12 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 21:12 speaks of a time of tribulation for the followers of Jesus Christ, predicting that they will face persecution for their beliefs.

This passage suggests that the disciples will be put in a position where they must stand up for their faith, even in the face of legal and religious opposition.

Literally, it foretells a period in which Christians would be apprehended, brought to trial, and made to suffer because of their association with Jesus.

The deeper meaning implies that fidelity to the gospel may come at a profound personal cost, but it also serves to prepare the faithful for the trials ahead, encouraging them to stand firm.

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Historical Context

This verse is part of what is often referred to as the Olivet Discourse, which is a body of teaching given by Jesus on the Mount of Olives.

The immediate historical context of Luke 21:12 is set within the timeframe shortly before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD, a period of great turmoil and persecution for early Christians.

The cultural and societal norms of the time were steeped in religious tradition and the Roman legal system, which often conflicted with the burgeoning Christian faith and led to persecution.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse has been interpreted in multiple ways.

One view is preterist, seeing this as a prophecy that was fulfilled in the first century with the persecution of the early church and the destruction of Jerusalem.

A futurist perspective sees the verse as pertaining to events that will occur at the end of time.

Others adopt a historicist or idealist approach, seeing the verse as illustrative of the ongoing experience of Christian persecution throughout history or symbolic of spiritual conflict, respectively.

Practical Applications

The teachings from Luke 21:12 can be applied in daily life as a reminder to remain steadfast and courageous in the face of adversity.

It can inspire believers to prepare for difficult times, not with fear, but with faith that their testimony can have profound impacts, and that such trials can refine their character and conviction.

Cross-References

Matthew 24:9 - "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."
Mark 13:9 - "But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them."
John 15:20 - "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text include:

"προβαλοῦσιν" (probalousin): meaning "they will lay hands on" or catch/ seize with the hands.
"διώξουσιν" (diōxousin): from "διώκω" (diōkō), meaning "they will persecute."
"παραδιδόναι" (paradidónai): meaning "delivering up," as in being handed over or betrayed.

These key terms carry notions of aggression, betrayal, and suffering, which are central to the verse's message.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this Christian narrative of persecution to other ancient myths and religious interpretations, many religious traditions have tales of their followers facing trials and tribulations.

For instance, in some Greco-Roman myths, heroes often suffer to achieve their goals.

Similarly, in many Eastern traditions, such as Buddhism, the concept of enduring hardship as a part of spiritual growth is prevalent.

Scientific Perspectives

While scientific perspectives typically do not intersect directly with biblical prophecy or persecution narratives, the study of psychology can offer insights into the effects of persecution on individuals and groups, as well as the phenomena of resilience and group cohesion in the face of external stressors.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators offer insights on this verse:

Matthew Henry comments on the forewarning given by Christ, that his followers might not be surprised when troubles come.
John Gill discusses the inevitable sufferings the apostles would face, emphasizing that these events were for the sake of Christ's name and the gospel's spread.
David Guzik points out that this persecution serves a greater purpose, which is to provide testimony to the rulers and authorities.

Luke 21

Luke 21

What does Luke 21:12 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 21:12 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?