Luke 21:20

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 21:20

But when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand.THE SIGN AND WHAT SHALL FOLLOW ITThe sign was to be the encirclement of Jerusalem with hostile armies. This was a sign no one could miss; and when it came, they were to expect utter desolation of the city.There is absolutely no evidence here that Luke was writing long after the facts, or that he retrospectively included these words in Jesus' prophecy. Such a conceit exists in the critical schools, but it... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 21:20

20, 21. by armies—encamped armies, that is, besieged: "the abomination of desolation" (meaning the Roman ensigns, as the symbols of an idolatrous, pagan, unclean power) "spoken of by Daniel the prophet" ( :-) "standing where it ought not" ( :-). "Whoso readeth [that prophecy] let him understand" (Matthew 24:15). Then . . . flee, c.—EUSEBIUS says the Christians fled to Pella, at the north extremity of Perea, being "prophetically directed" perhaps by some prophetic intimation still more explicit... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 21:5-36

D. Jesus’ teaching about the destruction of the temple 21:5-36The emphasis in Luke’s version of this important discourse concerning the future, the Olivet Discourse, is a warning and an encouragement to persevere. Jesus gave this teaching so His disciples would be ready for the coming of the kingdom (cf. Luke 21:34-36). Luke had already reported much teaching about the future (Luke 12:35-48; Luke 17:20-37). However some lessons bore repetition, such as the place of signs in signaling the end... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 21:20

The sign that Jerusalem’s destruction was imminent would be the presence of besieging armies (cf. Luke 21:7). This happened when Titus encircled the city with troops and put it under siege beginning in A.D. 68. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 21:20-24

3. The judgment coming on Jerusalem 21:20-24Jesus now returned to the subject of when the temple would suffer destruction (Luke 21:7). The similar passages in Matthew and Mark are sufficiently different to alert the reader to the fact that they deal with a different incident from what Luke described (Matthew 24:15-22; Mark 13:14-20). Even some commentators who believe that Luke depended heavily on Mark for his material admit this difference. [Note: E.g., Marshall, The Gospel . . ., p. 770-71.] read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 21:1-38

The Widow’s Mite. Prophecy of the Fall of Jerusalem and the Second Advent1-4. The widow’s mite (Mark 12:41). See on Mk.5-36. Great prophecy of the Fall of Jerusalem and the Second Advent (Matthew 24:1; Mark 13:1). See on Mt. St. Luke distinguishes these two events more clearly than the other evangelists (Luke 21:24). He also describes Jerusalem as being ’surrounded by armies.’ This greater definiteness is held by some to indicate that St. Luke wrote after the fall of Jerusalem, and added... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 21:20-24

(20-24) When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies.—See Notes on Matthew 23:15-21; Mark 13:14-19. This is St. Luke’s equivalent, possibly chosen as more intelligible for his Gentile readers, for “the abomination of desolation,” which we find in St. Matthew and St. Mark. As far as it goes, it favours the view that he and others saw the “abomination” in the presence of the invading armies. On the other hand, it is possible, accepting, as we must accept, the thought of a substituted phrase,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Luke 21:1-38

The Presence of Christ (For Advent) Luke 21:5-6 This discourse of our Lord is one of the most difficult for us to follow and apply, and yet it has made a vivid impression on the imagination of the world. Our Advent hymns and services are full of reminiscences of it, while, like so much else in Holy Scripture, it has suffered from an irreverent literalism which has at times imposed too great a strain on the imagination until faith has closed her wings and dropped heavily to the earth. The Day... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Luke 21:1-38

CHAPTER 21 1. The Widow’s Mite. (Luke 21:1-4 ) 2. The Destruction of the Temple Predicted. (Luke 21:5-6 ) 3. The Disciple’s Question Concerning the Future. (Luke 21:7 ) 4. Things to Come. (Luke 21:8-19 ) 5. The Destruction of Jerusalem and the World-wide Dispersion of Israel. (Luke 21:20-24 ) 6. The Return of the Lord with Power and Great Glory. (Luke 21:25-28 ) 7. The Fig Tree and Warnings. (Luke 21:29-38 .) This entire chapter with the exception of the incident of the widow’s mite is... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Luke 21:20

21:20 {4} And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.(4) The final destruction of the whole city is foretold. read more

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