Luke 21:20

Listen to Luke 21:20

The Destruction of Jerusalem

20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. 1

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.

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Luke 21:20 In-Context

18 Yet not even a hair of your head will perish.
19 By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.
20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.
22 For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.

Cross References 1

  • 1. (Matthew 24:15–25; Mark 13:14–23)
The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially placed into the public domain