Luke 21:9-28

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Luke 21:9 tn Social and political chaos also precedes the end. This term refers to revolutions (L&N 39.34).
2. Luke 21:9 tn This is not the usual term for fear, but refers to a deep sense of terror and emotional distress (Luke 24:37; BDAG 895 s.v. πτοέω).
3. Luke 21:9 sn The end will not come at once. This remark about timing not only indicates that there will be events before the end, but that some time will also pass before it comes.
4. Luke 21:10 tn For the translation “rise up in arms” see L&N 55.2.
5. Luke 21:11 sn See Isa 5:13-14; 13:6-16; Hag 2:6-7; Zech 14:4.
6. Luke 21:11 tn This term, φόβητρον (phobētron), occurs only here in the NT. It could refer to an object, event, or condition that causes fear, but in the context it is linked with great signs from heaven, so the translation “sights” was preferred.
7. Luke 21:11 sn See Jer 4:13-22; 14:12; 21:6-7.
8. Luke 21:12 sn But before all this. Another note of timing is present, this one especially important in understanding the sequence in the discourse. Before the things noted in vv. 8-11 are the events of vv. 12-19.
9. Luke 21:12 tn Grk “will lay their hands on you.”
10. Luke 21:12 sn Some of the persecution is of Jewish origin (the synagogues). Some fulfillment of this can be seen in Acts. See the note on synagogues in 4:15.
11. Luke 21:12 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
12. Luke 21:13 tn Grk “This will turn out to you for [a] testimony.”
13. Luke 21:14 tn Grk “determine in your hearts.”
14. Luke 21:14 tn This term could refer to rehearsing a speech or a dance. On its syntax, see BDF §392.2.
15. Luke 21:15 tn Grk “a mouth.” It is a metonymy and refers to the reply the Lord will give to them.
16. Luke 21:15 tn Grk “and wisdom.”
17. Luke 21:16 sn To confess Christ might well mean rejection by one’s own family, even by parents.
18. Luke 21:16 tn Grk “and brothers and relatives,” but καί (kai) has not been translated twice here since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
19. Luke 21:17 sn See Luke 6:22, 27; 1 Cor 1:25-31.
20. Luke 21:18 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
21. Luke 21:18 sn Given v. 16, the expression not a hair of your head will perish must be taken figuratively and refer to living ultimately in the presence of God.
22. Luke 21:19 sn By your endurance is a call to remain faithful, because trusting in Jesus is the means to life.
23. Luke 21:19 tc Some significant Greek witnesses plus the majority of mss (א D L W Ψ ƒ¹ M) read the aorist imperative κτήσασθε (ktēsasthe) here, though some mss (A B Θ ƒ¹³ 33 lat sa) read the future indicative κτήσεσθε (ktēsesthe). A decision is difficult because the evidence is so evenly balanced, but the aorist imperative is the harder reading and better explains the rise of the other. J. A. Fitzmyer assesses the translation options this way: “In English one has to use something similar [i.e., a future indicative], even if one follows the [aorist imperative]” (Luke [AB], 2:1341); in the same vein, although this translation follows the aorist imperative, because of English requirements it has been translated as though it were a future indicative.
24. Luke 21:19 tn Grk “your souls,” but ψυχή (psuchē) is frequently used of one’s physical life. In light of v. 16 that does not seem to be the case here. The entire phrase could be taken as an idiom meaning “you will save yourselves” (L&N 21.20), or (as in v. 18) this could refer to living ultimately in the presence of God.
25. Luke 21:20 sn See Luke 19:41-44. This passage refers to the events associated with the fall of Jerusalem, when the city is surrounded by armies.
26. Luke 21:20 tn Grk “her,” referring to the city of Jerusalem (the name “Jerusalem” in Greek is a feminine noun).
27. Luke 21:20 sn The phrase its desolation is a reference to the fall of the city, which is the only antecedent present in Luke’s account. The parallels to this in Matt 24:15 and Mark 13:14 refer to the temple’s desolation, though Matthew’s allusion is clearer. They focus on the parallel events of the end, not on the short term realization in a.d. 70. The entire passage has a prophetic “two events in one” typology, where the near term destruction (a.d. 70) is like the end. So the evangelists could choose to focus on the near time realization (Luke) or on its long term fulfillment, which mirrors it (Matthew, Mark).
28. Luke 21:21 sn Fleeing to the mountains is a key OT image: Gen 19:17; Judg 6:2; Isa 15:5; Jer 16:16; Zech 14:5.
29. Luke 21:21 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
30. Luke 21:21 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
31. Luke 21:22 tn Or “of punishment.” This is a time of judgment.
32. Luke 21:22 tn The passive construction with the infinitive πλησθῆναι (plēsthēnai) has been translated as an active construction for simplicity, in keeping with contemporary English style.
33. Luke 21:23 sn Great distress means that this is a period of great judgment.
34. Luke 21:24 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
35. Luke 21:24 tn Grk “by the mouth of the sword” (an idiom for the edge of a sword).
36. Luke 21:24 sn Here is the predicted judgment against the nation until the time of Gentile rule has passed: Its people will be led away as captives.
37. Luke 21:24 tn Grk “And Jerusalem.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
38. Luke 21:24 sn Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled implies a time when Israel again has a central role in God’s plan.
39. Luke 21:25 sn Signs in the sun and moon and stars are cosmic signs that turn our attention to the end and the Son of Man’s return for the righteous. OT imagery is present: See Isa 13:9-10; 24:18-20; 34:4; Ezek 32:7-8; Joel 2:1, 30-31; 3:15.
40. Luke 21:25 tn Grk “distress of nations.”
41. Luke 21:25 tn Or “in consternation” (L&N 32.9).
42. Luke 21:26 tn According to L&N 23.184 this could be mainly a psychological experience rather than actual loss of consciousness. It could also refer to complete discouragement because of fear, leading people to give up hope (L&N 25.293).
43. Luke 21:26 sn An allusion to Isa 34:4. The heavens were seen as the abode of heavenly forces, so their shaking indicates distress in the spiritual realm. Although some take the powers as a reference to bodies in the heavens (like stars and planets, “the heavenly bodies,” NIV) this is not as likely.
44. Luke 21:27 tn Grk “And then” (καὶ τότε, kai tote). Here καί has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
45. Luke 21:27 sn An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full judging authority.
46. Luke 21:28 sn These things are all the events of vv. 8-27. Disciples represent the righteous here. The events surrounding the fall of the nation are a down payment on a fuller judgment to come on all humanity. The presence of one guarantees the other.
47. Luke 21:28 sn With Jesus’ return comes the manifestation of judgment and final salvation (redemption).