Luk 21:8-27 | NETfull | STEP | He said, “Watch out that you are not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them!

Luke 21:8-27

8 He ^{▼▼ Here δέ (de) has not been translated.} said, “Watch out ^{▼▼ Or “Be on guard.”} that you are not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ ^{▼▼ That is, “I am the Messiah.”} and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them! 9 And when you hear of wars and rebellions, ^{▼▼ Social and political chaos also precedes the end. This term refers to revolutions (L&N 39.34).} do not be afraid. ^{▼▼ This is not the usual term for fear, but refers to a deep sense of terror and emotional distress (Luke 24:37; BDAG 895 s.v. πτοέω).} For these things must happen first, but the end will not come at once.” ^{▼▼ The end will not come at once. This remark about timing not only indicates that there will be events before the end, but that some time will also pass before it comes.}

Persecution of Disciples

10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise up in arms ^{▼▼ For the translation “rise up in arms” see L&N 55.2.} against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and famines ^{▼▼ See Isa 5:13–14; 13:6–16; Hag 2:6–7; Zech 14:4.} and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights ^{▼▼ This term, φόβητρον (fobētron), occurs only here in the NT. It could refer to an object, event, or condition that causes fear, but in the context it is linked with great signs from heaven, so the translation “sights” was preferred.} and great signs ^{▼▼ See Jer 4:13–22; 14:12; 21:6–7.} from heaven. 12 But before all this, ^{▼▼ But before all this. Another note of timing is present, this one especially important in understanding the sequence in the discourse. Before the things noted in vv. 8–11 are the events of vv. 12–19.} they will seize ^{▼▼ Grk “will lay their hands on you.”} you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues ^{▼▼ Some of the persecution is of Jewish origin (the synagogues). Some fulfillment of this can be seen in Acts. See the note on synagogues in 4:15.} and prisons. You ^{▼▼ Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.} will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses. ^{▼▼ Grk “This will turn out to you for [a] testimony.”} 14 Therefore be resolved ^{▼▼ Grk “determine in your hearts.”} not to rehearse ^{▼▼ This term could refer to rehearsing a speech or a dance. On its syntax, see BDF #392.2.} ahead of time how to make your defense. 15 For I will give you the words ^{▼▼ Grk “a mouth.” It is a metonymy and refers to the reply the Lord will give to them.} along with the wisdom ^{▼▼ Grk “and wisdom.”} that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, ^{▼▼ To confess Christ might well mean rejection by one’s own family, even by parents.} brothers, relatives, ^{▼▼ Grk “and brothers and relatives,” but καί (kai) has not been translated twice here since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.} and friends, and they will have some of you put to death. 17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. ^{▼▼ See Luke 6:22, 27; 1 Cor 1:25–31.} 18 Yet ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to indicate the contrast present in this context.} not a hair of your head will perish. ^{▼▼ Given v. 16, the expression not a hair of your head will perish must be taken figuratively and refer to living ultimately in the presence of God.} 19 By your endurance ^{▼▼ By your endurance is a call to remain faithful, because trusting in Jesus is the means to life.} you will gain ^{▼▼ Some important Greek witnesses plus the majority of mss (א D L W Ψ f¹ Maj.) read the aorist imperative κτήσασθε (ktēsasqe) here, though some mss (A B Θ f¹³ 33 pc lat sa) read the future indicative κτήσεσθε (ktēsesqe). A decision is difficult because the evidence is so evenly balanced, but the aorist imperative is the harder reading and better explains the rise of the other. J. A. Fitzmyer assesses the translation options this way: “In English one has to use something similar [i.e., a future indicative], even if one follows the [aorist imperative]” (Luke [AB], 2:1341); in the same vein, although this translation follows the aorist imperative, because of English requirements it has been translated as though it were a future indicative.} your lives. ^{▼▼ Grk “your souls,” but ψυχή (yucē) is frequently used of one’s physical life. In light of v. 16 that does not seem to be the case here. The entire phrase could be taken as an idiom meaning “you will save yourselves” (L&N 21.20), or (as in v. 18) this could refer to living ultimately in the presence of God.}

The Desolation of Jerusalem

20 “But when you see Jerusalem ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.} surrounded ^{▼▼ See Luke 19:41–44. This passage refers to the events associated with the fall of Jerusalem, when the city is surrounded by armies.} by armies, then know that its ^{▼▼ Grk “her,” referring to the city of Jerusalem (the name “Jerusalem” in Greek is a feminine noun).} desolation ^{▼▼ The phrase its desolation is a reference to the fall of the city, which is the only antecedent present in Luke’s account. The parallels to this in Matt 24:15 and Mark 13:14 refer to the temple’s desolation, though Matthew’s allusion is clearer. They focus on the parallel events of the end, not on the short term realization in a.d. 70. The entire passage has a prophetic “two events in one” typology, where the near term destruction (a.d. 70) is like the end. So the evangelists could choose to focus on the near time realization (Luke) or on its long term fulfillment, which mirrors it (Matthew, Mark).} has come near. 21 Then those who are in Judea must flee ^{▼▼ Fleeing to the mountains is a key OT image: Gen 19:17; Judg 6:2; Isa 15:5; Jer 16:16; Zech 14:5.} to the mountains. Those ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.} who are inside the city must depart. Those ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.} who are out in the country must not enter it, 22 because these are days of vengeance, ^{▼▼ Or “of punishment.” This is a time of judgment.} to fulfill ^{▼▼ The passive construction with the infinitive πλησθῆναι (plēsqēnai) has been translated as an active construction for simplicity, in keeping with contemporary English style.} all that is written. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! For there will be great distress ^{▼▼ Great distress means that this is a period of great judgment.} on the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.} will fall by the edge ^{▼▼ Grk “by the mouth of the sword” (an idiom for the edge of a sword).} of the sword and be led away as captives ^{▼▼ Here is the predicted judgment against the nation until the time of Gentile rule has passed: Its people will be led away as captives.} among all nations. Jerusalem ^{▼▼ Grk “And Jerusalem.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.} will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. ^{▼▼ Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled implies a time when Israel again has a central role in God’s plan.}

The Arrival of the Son of Man

25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, ^{▼▼ Signs in the sun and moon and stars are cosmic signs that turn our attention to the end and the Son of Man’s return for the righteous. OT imagery is present: See Isa 13:9–10; 24:18–20; 34:4; Ezek 32:7–8; Joel 2:1, 30–31; 3:15.} and on the earth nations will be in distress, ^{▼▼ Grk “distress of nations.”} anxious ^{▼▼ Or “in consternation” (L&N 32.9).} over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. 26 People will be fainting from fear ^{▼▼ According to L&N 23.184 this could be mainly a psychological experience rather than actual loss of consciousness. It could also refer to complete discouragement because of fear, leading people to give up hope (L&N 25.293).} and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ^{▼▼ An allusion to Isa 34:4. The heavens were seen as the abode of heavenly forces, so their shaking indicates distress in the spiritual realm. Although some take the powers as a reference to bodies in the heavens (like stars and planets, “the heavenly bodies,” NIV) this is not as likely.} 27 Then ^{▼▼ Grk “And then” (καὶ τότε, kai tote). Here καί has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.} they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud ^{▼▼ An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full judging authority.} with power and great glory.