Bible Commentaries
Luke 21

Verse 1

Treasury. See on Mark 12:41.

Rich. Standing last and emphatically in the sentence, "Saw them that were casting, etc. - rich men." Not the rich only were casting in. Compare Mark 12:41.

Verse 2

Poor. See on Matthew 5:3.

Mites. See on Mark 12:42.

Verse 3

This poor widow. See on Mark 12:43.

Verse 4

Offerings of God. The best texts omit of God. Rev., more simply, unto the gifts.

Penury [υστερηματος] . Lit., lack. Rev., neatly, of her want.

5 - 19. Compare Matthew 24:1-14; Mark 13:1-13.

Verse 5

Stones. See on Mark 13:1.

Offerings [αναθημασιν] . Only here in New Testament. From ajnatiqhmi, to set up. Hence of something set up in the temple as a votive offering. Such were the golden vines presented by Herod the Great, with bunches of grapes as large as a man, and mounted above the entrance to the holy place. The magnificent porch of the temple was adorned with many such dedicated gifts, such as a golden wreath which Sosius offered after he had taken Jerusalem in conjunction with Herod; and rich flagons which Augustus and his wife had given to the sanctuary. Gifts were bestowed by princes friendly to Israel, both on the temple and on provincial synagogues. The word ajnaqema, (Galatians 1:8, Rev.), is the same word, something devoted, and so devoted to evil and accursed. Luke uses the classical form. The other is the common or Hellenistic form. The two forms develop gradually a divergence in meaning; the one signifying devoted in a good, the other in a bad sense. The same process may be observed in other languages. Thus knave, lad, becomes a rascal villian, a farmer, becomes a scoundrel : cunning, skilful, becomes crafty.

Verse 6

Behold [θεωρειτε] . See on ch. Luke 10:18.

Thrown down. See on Mark 13:2.

Verse 8

Deceived. Rev., rightly, led astray. See on Matthew 24:4.

In my name. See on Matthew 18:5.

Verse 9

Commotions [ακαταστασιας] . From aj, not, and kaqisthmi, to establish. Hence disestablishments; unsettlements. Rev., tumults.

Be not terrified [μη πτοηθητε] . Only here and ch. 24 37.

By and by [ευθεως] . Better as Rev. immediately.

Verse 11

Earthquakes. See on Matthew 13:8.

Famines and pestilences [λιμοι και λοιμοι] . Some texts reverse the order of the words. A paronomasia or combination of like - sounding words : limoi, loimoi. Especially common in Paul 's epistles.

Fearful sights [φοβητρα] . Only here in New Testament, and rare in classical Greek. In Septuagint, Isaiah 19:17. Not confined to sights, but fearful things. Rev., better, terrors. Used in medical language by Hippocrates, of fearful objects imagined by the sick.

Verse 13

It shall turn [αποβησεται] . Lit., turn out; issue.

Verse 14

To answer. See on answer, 1 Peter 3:15.

Verse 19

Possess ye [κτησεσθε] . Wrong. See on ch. Luke 18:12. Rev. rightly, ye shall win.

20 - 36. Compare Matthew 24:15-42.Mark 13:14-37.

Verse 22

Vengeance [εκδικησεως] . Of rendering full justice, or satisfaction. See on avenge, ch. 18 3.

Verse 23

Distress [αναγκη] . Originally constraint, necessity; thence force or violence, and in the classical poets, distress, anguish.

Verse 24

Edge [στοματι] . Lit., the mouth. So Wyc. Either in the sense of the foremost part, or picturing the sword as a devouring monster. In Hebrews 11:33, Hebrews 11:34, the word is used in both senses : "the mouths of lions;" " the edge of the sword. "

Led away captive. See on captives, ch. 4 18.

Trodden down. Denoting the oppression and contempt which shall follow conquest.

Verse 25

Signs [σημεια] . See on Matthew 24:24.

Distress [συνοχη] . Only here and 2 Corinthians 2:4. Kindred with sunecomenh, taken (ch. 4 38), on which see note. The original idea of the word is being held in a tight grasp.

With perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring. The A. V. follows the reading hjcoushv, the participle, roaring. The proper reading is hjcouv, the noun, the roaring. Render perplexity for the roaring of the sea, etc. 'Hcw, roaring, is properly a returned sound, an echo. Generally a ringing sound, as of the blows on an anvil.

Waves [σαλου] . Only here in New Testament. The radical notion of the word is unsteady motion, especially the rolling swell of the sea. Rev., better, billows.

Verse 26

Failing [αποψυχοντων] . Only here in New Testament. The word originally means to leave off breathing; to swoon. Thus Homer, when Laertes recognizes Ulysses :

"He threw Round his dear son his arms. The hardy chief, Ulysses, drew him fainting [αποψυχοντα] to his heart." Odyssey, 24, 346.

So also Sophocles, of Hector dragged behind Achilles' chariot :

" He breathed out his life [απεψυξεν βιον] .

Ajax, 1031.

Matthew alone uses the simple verb, yucw, to breathe, or blow. See on wax cold, Matthew 24:12. Luke uses four compounds of this simple verb, all of which are peculiar to him. Compare cool, ch. 16 24; refreshing, Acts 3:19; gave up the ghost, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10.

Expectation [προσδοκιας] . Only here and Acts 12:11.

The world. See on ch. Luke 2:1.

Shall be shaken [σαλευθησονται] . Compare Matthew 11:7; Luke 6:38; Acts 4:31; Hebrews 12:26, Hebrews 12:27. The root of the verb is the same as that of billows, ver 25.

Verse 28

Look up. See on ch. Luke 13:11. Graphic, as implying being previously bowed down with sorrow.

Redemption [απολυτρωσις] . See on lettest depart, ch. 2 29.

Verse 29

Parable. See on Matthew 24:32.

Verse 30

Ye see [βλεποντες] . Lit., "looking, ye know," etc. Implying careful observation, with a view to determine the progress of the season.

Know [γινωσκετε] . Perceive would be better.

Verse 31

Come to pass [γινομενα] . The present participle. Rev., more correctly, "coming to pass :" in process of fulfilment. Compare Mark 13:29.

Verse 34

Overcharged (barhqwsin). Weighed down. Compare ch. 9 32; 2 Corinthians 5:4.

Surfeiting [κραιπαλη] . Only here in New Testament. Derivation uncertain : akin to the Latin crapula, intoxication. Trench finds an equivalent in fulsomeness, in its original sense of fulness. In the medical writings it is used of drunken nausea or headache.

Drunkenness [μεθη] . Compare are well drunk, John 2:10. This and kindred words in the New Testament always refer to intoxication, or that which intoxicates. See note on John 2:10.

Cares [μεριμναις] . See on Matthew 6:25.

Of this life [βιωτικαις] . The rendering is too general; though it might be difficult to give a better. Biov, life, means life considered either as to its duration (1 Peter 4:3); the means of support (Mark 12:44; Luke 8:43; Luke 21:4; 1 John 3:17); or the manner of leading it (1 Timothy 2:2). The meaning here is pertaining to the support or luxury of life; and so in the only other passages where it occurs, 1 Corinthians 6:3, 1 Corinthians 6:4. The parallel is Matthew 6:31. Wyc., business of this life.

Suddenly [αιφνιδιος] . Only here and 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

Verse 35

As a snare. Join with the previous sentence : "come suddenly as a snare." Compare entangle, Matthew 22:15.

Verse 36

Watch. See on Mark 13:33.

Verse 37

Abode [ηυλιζετο] . Only here and Matthew 21:17.

Verse 38

Came early in the morning [ωρθριζεν] . Only here in New Testament. ===Luke 22:0

CHAPTER XXII

1 - 6. Compare Matthew 26:17-19. Mark 14:12-16.