Luke 21:20

20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh .

Luke 21:20 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 21:20

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies
The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Persic versions read, "with an army"; that is, with the Roman army, as it was by the army which Titus Vespasian brought against it, and besieged it with:

then know that the desolation thereof is nigh;
signifying, that there would be no deliverance to be expected, as when the Assyrian army under Rabshakeh appeared against it; but that whenever the Roman army besieged it, its destruction might be looked upon as inevitable; nor was the siege raised until it was destroyed, which was about four years after.

Luke 21:20 In-Context

18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish .
19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh .
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 .
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled .
The King James Version is in the public domain.