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 21:24 mean?

Explanation

Luke 21:24 is part of a larger discourse where Jesus Christ is prophesying about the future events that will take place leading up to the end of the age.

This verse specifically speaks about a time of great tribulation for the Jewish people and Jerusalem.

The "edge of the sword" is a metaphor for violent death and warfare, meaning that many will die by means of war and violence.

Being "led away captive into all nations" depicts a scenario of exile and dispersion of the Jewish people, while "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles" suggests that non-Jewish people (Gentiles) will overrun and occupy Jerusalem.

"Until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" indicates that there is a specified period during which Gentile domination over Jerusalem is allowed by God, after which a change will occur.

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Historical Context

When Jesus spoke these words, He was near the end of His earthly ministry, approximately in the year 30 A.D., and Jerusalem was under Roman rule.

The dire predictions of this verse came to pass in a literal sense when the Romans, under the command of General Titus, besieged Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple in 70 A.D.

The Jewish people were killed in large numbers, and the survivors were taken as captives to various nations.

This event led to a long period of Gentile domination over the city and laid the groundwork for the dispersal of the Jewish diaspora that continued throughout history.

Theological Insights

Various theological perspectives interpret the "times of the Gentiles" differently.

Preterists believe that Jesus was primarily referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and that the age of the Gentiles was inaugurated explaining Jewish exile.

On the other hand, some futurists and dispensationalists see this verse as partly fulfilled in the past, but also having a future fulfillment before Christ’s second coming, suggesting that Gentile domination will continue until a specific moment in prophetic eschatology.

A-millennialists might understand the "times of the Gentiles" as the present church age where the gospel is open to all nations.

Practical Applications

This passage can serve as a reminder of God's control over history and that human events occur within His permitted time frames.

It can inspire people to act with justice and awareness of the transient nature of political and societal power.

It also invites believers to reflect on the situation in the Middle East, fostering prayer for peace and reconciliation in a region long fraught with conflict.

Cross-References

Daniel 9:27: "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease..."
Matthew 24:2: "And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."
Revelation 11:2: "But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."

Language Study

"Edge of the sword" (Greek: stoma tou machairas) implies death by violent means or armed conflict.
"Captive" (Greek: aichmalotizō) means to lead away captives or imprison.
"Trodden down" (Greek: pateō) means to tread or trample upon.
"Gentiles" (Greek: ethnos) refers to nations or people groups outside of Israel.
"Fulfilled" (Greek: plēroō) means to complete or accomplish fully.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In examining other ancient literature and religious contexts, the theme of the siege and subsequent exile of a population appears frequently.

For instance, the Babylonian exile of the Jews carries similar themes of conquest and dispersion.

Comparatively, other ancient cultures such as the Assyrians and the Greeks also experienced conquests that led to the scattering of their people.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, particularly in the social sciences, the dispersal of a people group due to conflict resonates with modern understandings of migration and diaspora studies.

War, violence, and political changes have continued to displace populations throughout history, as can be seen in various modern instances around the globe.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer diverse interpretations of Luke 21:24.

John Wesley notes that the “times of the Gentiles” signifies the period during which Jerusalem is possessed by Gentile powers.

Matthew Henry views the verse as a prediction of the dispersion of the Jews and the consequent spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Many modern scholars, such as those contributing to the New International Commentary on the New Testament, understand this prophecy as having been fulfilled in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem but also as part of an eschatological framework that has ongoing implications for the future of God's plan for Israel and the world.

Luke 21

Luke 21

What does Luke 21:24 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 21:24 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?