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The Desolation of Jerusalem

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded[a] by armies, then know that its[b] desolation[c] has come near. 21 Then those who are in Judea must flee[d] to the mountains. Those[e] who are inside the city must depart. Those[f] who are out in the country must not enter it, 22 because these are days of vengeance,[g] to fulfill[h] all that is written. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! For there will be great distress[i] on the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They[j] will fall by the edge[k] of the sword and be led away as captives[l] among all nations. Jerusalem[m] will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.[n]

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Footnotes

  1. 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.
  2. Luke 21:20 tn Grk “her,” referring to the city of Jerusalem (the name “Jerusalem” in Greek is a feminine noun).
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
  5. Luke 21:21 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  6. Luke 21:21 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  7. Luke 21:22 tn Or “of punishment.” This is a time of judgment.
  8. 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.
  9. Luke 21:23 sn Great distress means that this is a period of great judgment.
  10. Luke 21:24 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  11. Luke 21:24 tn Grk “by the mouth of the sword” (an idiom for the edge of a sword).
  12. 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.
  13. Luke 21:24 tn Grk “And Jerusalem.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  14. 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.

20 “But when you see Jerusalem (A)surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. 21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of [a]the city must leave, and (B)those who are in the countryside must not enter [b]the city; 22 because these are (C)days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for (D)there will be great distress upon the [c]land and wrath against this people, 24 and they will fall by (E)the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations, and (F)Jerusalem will be (G)trampled under foot by the Gentiles until (H)the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:21 Lit her
  2. Luke 21:21 Lit her
  3. Luke 21:23 Or earth