The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 21:17
And ye shall be hated of all men for my Name's sake . All the records of early Christianity unite in bearing witness to the universal hatred with which the new sect were regarded by pagans as well as Jews. The words of the Roman Jews reported in Acts 28:22 well sum this up, "As concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against" (see, too, Acts 24:5 and 1 Peter 2:12 ). The Roman writers Tacitus, Pliny, and Suctonius, bear the same testimony. read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 21:14-19
Inevitable trial and unfailing resources. Here we have one more illustration of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ toward his apostles. So far was he from encouraging in them the thought that their path would be one of easy conquest and delightful possession, that he was frequently warning them of a contrary experience. It was not his fault if they failed to anticipate hardship and suffering in the neat' future; he told them plainly that his service meant the cross, with all its pain and... read more