Luke 21:20

20 But when you see armies all round about Jerusalem, then be certain that her destruction is near.

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 not a hair of your head will come to destruction.
19 By going through all these things, you will keep your lives.
20 But when you see armies all round about Jerusalem, then be certain that her destruction is near.
21 Then let those who are in Judaea go in flight to the mountains; and those who are in the middle of the town go out; and let not those who are in the country come in.
22 For these are the days of punishment, in which all the things in the Writings will be put into effect.
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