Bible Commentaries
Luke 21

Verse 5

Luke 21:5

Destruction of the Temple // Matthew 24:1 ff. Mark 13:1 ff

Verse 8

Luke 21:8

Christ ... the word is here supplied; "I Am" i.e. Deity, 2 Thessalonians 2:4

Verse 13

Luke 21:13

a testimony ... The destruction of Jerusalem to be a testimony to God’s people.

Verse 20

.Luke 21:20

Luke 21:20 // Matthew 24:15 Mark 13:14 Luke 21:20

desolation ... Mark 12:13; Luke 19:41-44

"Abominations" ... Josephus in Antiquies XVIII relates how the Roman ensigns were an abomination to the Jews. See KIK, p. 44, something idolatrous. = "Heathern armies"

See Josephus WARS, Bk II, ch. 19 and #6, 7.

This occured in Oct. AD 66, Cestius besieged Jerusalem and could have taken it, but withdrew unexpectedly. [Josephus, p. 199] Three and 1/2 years later, the city was taken.

Josephus said that at that time, most of the best and notible people of the city withdrew. He did not say they were the Christians, but that is who Eusebius says they were. [Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History p. 86; Bk 3; Ch 5 ] The Christians fled to Pella and found protection under the rule of Herod Agrippa (Acts 26:28). See Revelation 12:6

Eusebius (Ecc. Hist. 3.5.3) and Epiphanius (Weights 54a) relay that the Jewish-Christian community of Jerusalem, which had fled to Pella during the Jewish Revolt, returned to Jerusalem following the AD 70 destruction. Subsequently, they apparently resided in the city until the arrival of Hadrian (cf. Proof 3.5.124d). Later Byzantine tradition held that it was this community that built the church on Mount Zion connected with the Last Supper...

Verse 22

Luke 21:22 The Days of Vengeance ... Revelation 18:20

Revelation 6:10; (parallel: Matthew 23:35) Luke 18:7; Luke 11:48-51;

God will avenge, Romans 12:19, Romans 13:4

Luke 13:33 No prophet perished out of Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 24:22 RSV "May the Lord see and avenge."

Acts 7:51-52 Jerusalem was the persecutor and murderer of the prophets of God Revelation 16:6; Revelation 18:20; Revelation 18:24;

The days of vengeance . . The days of vengeance was fulfilled when Jerusalem and the nation fell. It was the end of temple worship, the sacrifices of the Law, the end of official Levitical priesthood. It was a day (a sign) that the Messiah had come and the leaders had rejected him and now God’s wrath was upon them. (Revelation 16:6; Revelation 18:24;)

God often used future historical milestones as evidence of the accuracy of His promises. The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. was to be proof the promised Messiah of the Old Testament scriptures came and accomplished all that God determined (Daniel 9:24-27). Jesus used the same event to establish the fulfillment of all the Old Testament scriptures (Luke 21:22). In this way, fulfillment of the events pictorially portrayed by the seven seals confirm that the full scroll came from God with His complete approval and authority. Revelation 5:1. Again, this is a valid reason for placing the Apocalypse at the end of our scriptures. - Ogden

Verse 25

Luke 21:25

Acts 21:25

signs ... Acts 2:19-20 - Signs in the "heavens" like this in the OT indicated the upheaval of ruling authorities in a nation.

Verse 27

Luke 21:27

Son of Man coming ... A coming judgment upon Jerusalem and the Jewish nation - cf. Hebrews 10:37. In Isaiah 19:1 etc. God coming in a cloud meant a storm cloud, like a tornado, a cloud of destruction, a cloud of great power! ( Revelation 1:7)

Verse 30

Luke 21:30

Verse 32

Luke 21:32

this generation ... The judgment against Jerusalem was to be in their generation, Luke 21:27; see reference in Luke 21:22

"this generation" LIST Matthew 11:16; Matthew 12:41; Matthew 12:42; Matthew 23:36; Matthew 24:34; Mark 8:12; Mark 13:30; Luke 7:31; Luke 11:30; Luke 11:31; Luke 11:32; Luke 11:50; Luke 11:51; Luke 17:25; Luke 21:32;

Verse 34

Luke 21:34

surfeiting ..dissipation, carousing,

Verse 36

Luke 21:36

Watch -- pray ... Answer quesions of Revelation 6:17