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Luke Chapter Twenty-One

 

Luke 21

The Lord's discourse in chapter 21 displays the character of the Gospel in a peculiar manner. The spirit of grace in contrast with the Judaic spirit is seen in the account of the poor widow's offering. But the Lord's prophecy requires more detailed notice. Verse 6 as we saw at the end of chapter 19 speaks only of the destruction of Jerusalem as she then stood. This is true also of the disciples' question. They say nothing of the end of the age. The Lord afterwards enters upon the duties and the circumstances of His disciples previous to that hour. In verse 8 it is said "The time draweth near " which is not found in Matthew. He goes much more into detail with regard to their ministry during that period encourages them promises them necessary help. Persecution should turn to them for a testimony. From the middle of verse 11 to the end of verse 19 we have details relative to His disciples that are not found in the corresponding passage of Matthew. They present the general state of things in the same sense adding the condition of the Jews of those especially who more or less professedly received the word. The whole stream of testimony as rendered in connection with Israel but extending to the nations is found in Matthew to the end of verse 14. In Luke it is the coming service of the disciples until the moment when the judgment of God should put an end to that which was virtually terminated by the rejection of Christ. Consequently the Lord says nothing in verse 20 of the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel but gives the fact of the siege of Jerusalem and its then approaching desolation-not the end of the age as in Matthew. These were the days of vengeance on the Jews who had crowned their rebellion by rejecting the Lord. Therefore Jerusalem should be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled that is the times destined to the sovereignty of the Gentile empires according to the counsel of God revealed in the prophecies of Daniel. This is the period in which we now live. There is a break here in the discourse. Its principal subject is ended; but there are still some events of the last scene to be revealed which close the history of this Gentile supremacy.

We shall see also that although it is the commencement of the judgment from which Jerusalem will not arise until all is accomplished and the song of Isaiah 40 is addressed to her nevertheless the great tribulation is not mentioned here. There is great distress and wrath upon the people as was indeed the case in the siege of Jerusalem by Titus; and the Jews were also led away captive. Neither is it said "Immediately after the tribulation of those days." Nevertheless without designating the epoch but after having spoken of the times of the Gentiles the end of the age comes. There are signs in heaven distress on earth a mighty movement in the waves of human population. The heart of man moved by a prophetic alarm foresees the calamities which still unknown are threatening him; for all the influences that govern men are shaken. Then shall they see the Son of man once rejected from the earth coming from heaven with the ensigns of Jehovah with power and great glory-the Son of man of whom this Gospel has always spoken. There the prophecy ends. We have not here the gathering together of the elect Israelites who had been dispersed of which Matthew speaks.

That which follows consists of exhortations in order that the day of distress may be a token of deliverance to the faith of those who trusting in the Lord obey the voice of His servant. The "generation" (a word already explained when considering Matthew) should not pass away till all was fulfilled. The length of the time that has elapsed since then and that must elapse until the end is left in darkness. Heavenly things are not measured by dates. Moreover that moment is hidden in the knowledge of the Father. Still heaven and earth should pass away but not the words of Jesus. He then tells them that as dwelling on earth they must be watchful lest their own hearts should be overcharged with things that would sink them into this world in the midst of which they were to be witnesses. For that day would come as a snare upon all those who had their dwelling here who were rooted here. They were to watch and pray in order to escape all those things and to stand in the presence of the Son of man. This is still the great subject of our Gospel. To be with Him as those who have escaped from the earth to be among the 144 000 on Mount Zion will be an accomplishment of this blessing but the place is not named; so that supposing the faithfulness of those whom He was personally addressing the hope awakened by His words would be fulfilled in a more excellent manner in His heavenly presence in the day of glory.

── John DarbySynopsis of Luke

 

Luke 21

Chapter Contents

Christ commends a poor widow. (1-4) His prophecy. (5-28) Christ exhorts to watchfulness. (29-38)

Commentary on Luke 21:1-4

(Read Luke 21:1-4)

From the offering of this poor widow learn that what we rightly give for the relief of the poor and the support of God's worship is given unto God; and our Saviour sees with pleasure whatever we have in our hearts to give for the relief of his members or for his service. Blessed Lord! the poorest of thy servants have two mites they have a soul and a body; persuade and enable us to offer both unto thee; how happy shall we be in thine accepting of them!

Commentary on Luke 21:5-28

(Read Luke 21:5-28)

With much curiosity those about Christ ask as to the time when the great desolation should be. He answers with clearness and fulness as far as was necessary to teach them their duty; for all knowledge is desirable as far as it is in order to practice. Though spiritual judgements are the most common in gospel times yet God makes use of temporal judgments also. Christ tells them what hard things they should suffer for his name's sake and encourages them to bear up under their trials and to go on in their work notwithstanding the opposition they would meet with. God will stand by you and own you and assist you. This was remarkably fulfilled after the pouring out of the Spirit by whom Christ gave his disciples wisdom and utterance. Though we may be losers for Christ we shall not we cannot be losers by him in the end. It is our duty and interest at all times especially in perilous trying times to secure the safety of our own souls. It is by Christian patience we keep possession of our own souls and keep out all those impressions which would put us out of temper. We may view the prophecy before us much as those Old Testament prophecies which together with their great object embrace or glance at some nearer object of importance to the church. Having given an idea of the times for about thirty-eight years next to come Christ shows what all those things would end in namely the destruction of Jerusalem and the utter dispersion of the Jewish nation; which would be a type and figure of Christ's second coming. The scattered Jews around us preach the truth of Christianity; and prove that though heaven and earth shall pass away the words of Jesus shall not pass away. They also remind us to pray for those times when neither the real nor the spiritual Jerusalem shall any longer be trodden down by the Gentiles and when both Jews and Gentiles shall be turned to the Lord. When Christ came to destroy the Jews he came to redeem the Christians that were persecuted and oppressed by them; and then had the churches rest. When he comes to judge the world he will redeem all that are his from their troubles. So fully did the Divine judgements come upon the Jews that their city is set as an example before us to show that sins will not pass unpunished; and that the terrors of the Lord and his threatenings against impenitent sinners will all come to pass even as his word was true and his wrath great upon Jerusalem.

Commentary on Luke 21:29-38

(Read Luke 21:29-38)

Christ tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times which they might judge by. He charges them to look upon the ruin of the Jewish nation as near. Yet this race and family of Abraham shall not be rooted out; it shall survive as a nation and be found as prophesied when the Son of man shall be revealed. He cautions them against being secure and sensual. This command is given to all Christ's disciples Take heed to yourselves that ye be not overpowered by temptations nor betrayed by your own corruptions. We cannot be safe if we are carnally secure. Our danger is lest the day of death and of judgment should come upon us when we are not prepared. Lest when we are called to meet our Lord that be the furthest from our thoughts which ought to be nearest our hearts. For so it will come upon the most of men who dwell upon the earth and mind earthly things only and have no converse with heaven. It will be a terror and a destruction to them. Here see what should be our aim that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things; that when the judgements of God are abroad we may not be in the common calamity or it may not be that to us which it is to others. Do you ask how you may be found worthy to stand before Christ at that day? Those who never yet sought Christ let them now go unto him; those who never yet were humbled for their sins let them now begin; those who have already begun let them go forward and be kept humbled. Watch therefore and pray always. Watch against sin; watch in every duty and make the most of every opportunity to do good. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world who live a life of prayer in this world. May we begin employ and conclude each day attending to Christ's word obeying his precepts and following his example that whenever he comes we may be found watching.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Luke

 

Luke 21

Verse 5

[5] And as some spake of the temple how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts he said

Goodly stones — Such as no engines now in use could have brought or even set upon each other. Some of them (as an eye witness who lately measured them writes) were forty - five cubits long five high and six broad; yet brought thither from another country.

And gifts — Which persons delivered from imminent dangers had in accomplishment of their vows hung on the walls and pillars. The marble of the temple was so white that it appeared like a mountain of snow at a distance. And the gilding of many parts made it especially when the sun shone a most splendid and beautiful spectacle. Matthew 24:1; Mark 13:1.

Verse 8

[8] And he said Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name saying I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

I am the Christ; and the time is near — When I will deliver you from all your enemies. They are the words of the seducers.

Verse 9

[9] But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Commotions — Intestine broils; civil wars.

Verse 11

[11] And great earthquakes shall be in divers places and famines and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Fearful sights and signs from heaven — Of which Josephus gives a circumstantial account.

Verse 12

[12] But before all these they shall lay their hands on you and persecute you delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Mark 13:9.

Verse 13

[13] And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

It shall turn to you for a testimony — Of your having delivered your own souls and of their being without excuse.

Verse 16

[16] And ye shall be betrayed both by parents and brethren and kinsfolks and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

Matthew 10:21.

Verse 17

[17] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13.

Verse 18

[18] But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

Not a hair of your head — A proverbial expression shall perish - Without the special providence of God. And then not before the time nor without A full reward.

Verse 19

[19] In your patience possess ye your souls.

In your patience possess ye your souls — Be calm and serene masters of yourselves and superior to all irrational and disquieting passions. By keeping the government of your spirits you will both avoid much misery and guard the better against all dangers.

Verse 21

[21] Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

Let them that are in the midst of it — Where Jerusalem stands (that is they that are in Jerusalem) depart out of it before their retreat is cut off by the uniting of the forces near the city and let not them that are in the adjacent countries by any means enter into it.

Verse 22

[22] For these be the days of vengeance that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

And things which are written — Particularly in Daniel.

Verse 24

[24] And they shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

They shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captive — Eleven hundred thousand perished in the siege of Jerusalem and above ninety thousand were sold for slaves. So terribly was this prophecy fulfilled! And Jerusalem shall be trodden by the Gentiles - That is inhabited. So it was indeed. The land was sold and no Jew suffered even to come within sight of Jerusalem. The very foundations of the city were ploughed up and a heathen temple built where the temple of God had stood.

The times of the Gentiles — That is the times limited for their treading the city; which shall terminate in the full conversion of the Gentiles.

Verse 25

[25] And there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

And there shall be — Before the great day which was typified by the destruction of Jerusalem: signs - Different from those mentioned Luke 21:11 etc. Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24.

Verse 28

[28] And when these things begin to come to pass then look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Now when these things — Mentioned Luke 21:8 10 etc. begin to come to pass look up with firm faith and lift up your heads with joy: for your redemption out of many troubles draweth nigh by God's destroying your implacable enemies.

Verse 29

[29] And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree and all the trees;

Behold the fig tree and all the trees — Christ spake this in the spring just before the passover; when all the trees were budding on the mount of Olives where they then were.

Verse 30

[30] When they now shoot forth ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

Ye know of yourselves — Though none teach you.

Verse 31

[31] So likewise ye when ye see these things come to pass know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

The kingdom of God is nigh — The destruction of the Jewish city temple and religion to make way for the advancement of my kingdom.

Verse 32

[32] Verily I say unto you This generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled.

Till all things be effected — All that has been spoken of the destruction of Jerusalem to which the question Luke 21:7 relates: and which is treated of from Luke 21:8-24.

Verse 34

[34] And take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares.

Take heed lest at any time your hearts be overloaded with gluttony and drunkenness — And was there need to warn the apostles themselves against such sins as these? Then surely there is reason to warn even strong Christians against the very grossest sins. Neither are we wise if we think ourselves out of the reach of any sin: and so that day - Of judgment or of death come upon you even you that are not of this world-Unawares. Matthew 24:42; Mark 13:33; Luke 12:35.

Verse 35

[35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

That sit — Careless and at ease.

Verse 36

[36] Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man.

Watch ye therefore — This is the general conclusion of all that precedes.

That ye may be counted worthy — This word sometimes signifies an honour conferred on a person as when the apostles are said to be counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ Acts 5:41. Sometimes meet or becoming: as when John the Baptist exhorts to bring fruits worthy of repentance Luke 3:8. And so to be counted worthy to escape is to have the honour of it and to be fitted or prepared for it.

To stand — With joy and triumph: not to fall before him as his enemies.

Verse 37

[37] And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

Now by day — In the day time he was teaching in the temple - This shows how our Lord employed his time after coming to Jerusalem: but it is not said he was this day in the temple and next morning the people came. It does not therefore by any means imply that he came any more after this into the temple.

Verse 38

[38] And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple for to hear him.

And all the people came early in the morning to hear him — How much happier were his disciples in these early lectures than the slumbers of the morning could have made them on their beds! Let us not scruple to deny ourselves the indulgence of unnecessary sleep that we may morning after morning place ourselves at his feet receiving the instructions of his word and seeking those of his Spirit.

── John ‘WesleyExplanatory Notes on Luke

 

Chapter 21. Foretell the End of the Age

Watch Always
Pray Always

I. Gifts of the Poor Widow

  1. Out of Abundance
  2. Out of Poverty
  3. Put in All Her Livelihood

II. Prediction about the Temple

  1. The Temple thrown Down
  2. Jerusalem Surrounded
  3. Redemption Draws Near

III. Wait for the Return of Christ

  1. See and Know
  2. Passive Aspects
  3. Active Aspects
── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament