Luke 21:20

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

19 In your patience ye shall possess your souls.

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

21 Then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains, and let those who are in the midst of it depart out, and let not those that are in the country enter thereinto.

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