Luke 21:5-36

Luke 21:5-36

[5] And  as some  spake  of  the temple,  how  it was adorned  with goodly  stones  and  gifts,  he said,  [6] which  ye behold,  the days  will come,  in  the which  not  be left  one stone  upon  another,  that  not  be thrown down.  [7] And  they asked  him,  saying,  Master,  but  when  and  what  sign  will there be when  shall  come to pass?  [8] And  he said,  Take heed  not  deceived:  for  many  shall come  in  name,  saying,  am  Christ; and  the time  draweth near:  go ye  not  after  them.  [9] But  when  ye shall hear  of wars  and  commotions,  not  terrified:  for  must  first  come to pass;  but  the end  is not  by and by.  [10] Then  unto them,  Nation  shall rise  against  nation,  and  kingdom  against  kingdom:  [11] And  great  earthquakes  in  divers places,  and  famines,  and  pestilences;  and  fearful sights  and  great  signs  from  heaven.  [12] But  before  they shall lay  their  hands  on  and  persecute  you, delivering  you up  to the synagogues,  and  into prisons,  before  kings  and  rulers  name's  sake.  [13] it shall turn  for  a testimony.  [14] Settle  it therefore  hearts,  not  to meditate before  what ye shall answer:  [15] For  will give  a mouth  and  wisdom,  which  adversaries  not  be able  resist.  [16] And  ye shall be betrayed  both  by  parents,  and  brethren,  and  kinsfolks,  and  friends;  and  some of  shall they cause to be put to death.  [17] And  hated  of  all  men for  name's sake.  [18] But  an hair  of  head  perish.  [19] In  patience  possess ye  souls.  [20] And  when  Jerusalem  compassed  with  armies,  then  know  that  the desolation  thereof  is nigh.  [21] Then  which are in  Judaea  flee  to  the mountains;  and  which are in  the midst  of it  depart out;  and  not  them that are in  the countries  enter  thereinto.  [22] For  these  the days  of vengeance,  that all things  which  are written  [23] woe  unto  them that are with child,  and  to them that give suck,  in  those  days!  for  great  distress  in  the land,  and  wrath  upon  people.  [24] And  they shall fall  by the edge  of the sword,  and  shall be led away captive  into  all  nations:  and  Jerusalem  trodden down  of  the Gentiles,  until  the times  of the Gentiles  be fulfilled.  [25] And  signs  in  the sun,  and  in the moon,  and  in the stars;  and  upon  the earth  distress  of nations,  with  perplexity;  the sea  and  the waves  [26] Men's  hearts failing them  for  fear,  and  for looking after  those things which are coming on  the earth:  for  the powers  of heaven  shall be shaken.  [27] And  then  the Son  of man  coming  in  a cloud  with  power  and  great  glory.  [28] And  begin  to come to pass,  then look up,  and  lift up  heads;  for  redemption  draweth nigh.  [29] And  he spake  to them  a parable;  the fig tree,  and  all  the trees;  [30] When  they now  shoot forth,  ye see  and know  of  your own selves  that  summer  now  nigh at hand.  [31] So  likewise  when  come to pass,  know ye  that  the kingdom  of God  nigh at hand.  [32] Verily  I say  This  generation  pass away,  till  all  be fulfilled.  [33] Heaven  and  earth  shall pass away:  but  words  pass away.  [34] And  take heed  to yourselves,  hearts  with  surfeiting,  and  drunkenness,  and  cares  of this life,  and  so that  day  come  upon  unawares.  [35] For  shall it come  on  all  them that dwell  on  the face  of the whole  earth.  [36] Watch ye  and pray  always,  that  to escape  all  that shall  come to pass,  and  to stand  before  the Son  of man. 

What is the context of Luke 21:5-36?

What does Luke 21:5-36 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The emphasis in Luke"s version of this important discourse concerning the future, the Olivet Discourse, is a warning and an encouragement to persevere. Jesus gave this teaching so His disciples would be ready for the coming of the kingdom (cf. Luke 21:34-36). Luke had already reported much teaching about the future ( Luke 12:35-48; Luke 17:20-37). However some lessons bore repetition, such as the place of signs in signaling the end and the importance of faithful perseverance. There is also new revelation. Particularly the relationship of the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem to Jesus" return was not clear before. Jesus now clarified that these events would not occur together, but some time would elapse between them.
"Keep in mind that this was a message given to Jews by a Jew about the future of the Jewish nation. Though there are definite applications to God"s people today, the emphasis is on Jerusalem, the Jews, and the temple. Our Lord was not discussing His coming for the church, for that can occur at any time and no signs need precede it ( 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). "For the Jews require a sign" ( 1 Corinthians 1:22); the church looks for a Saviour ( Philippians 3:20-21)." [1]