Luke 21:20

20 "When you see soldiers camped all around Jerusalem, then you'll know that she is about to be devastated.

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 Even so, every detail of your body and soul - even the hairs of your head! - is in my care; nothing of you will be lost.
19 Staying with it - that's what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry; you'll be saved.
20 "When you see soldiers camped all around Jerusalem, then you'll know that she is about to be devastated.
21 If you're living in Judea at the time, run for the hills. If you're in the city, get out quickly. If you're out in the fields, don't go home to get your coat.
22 This is Vengeance Day - everything written about it will come to a head.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.