What does Luke 21:11 mean?
This continues Jesus' general overview of hardships the world should expect before His second coming. First is false messiahs, claiming to be Him. Next is rumors of war and insurrection. Then, war: "nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Luke 21:8–10). Now He prophesies natural and supernatural disasters.It's crucial to note that Jesus is indicating that such things are not automatic markers of the end of days: "Do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once" (Luke 21:9). Just as wars currently going on are not sure signs that the end times have begun, neither are earthquakes, famines, or even God's direct judgment on the earth.
False teachers have made millions of dollars by scaring people into believing otherwise. They claim that hurricanes are God's judgment, that pandemics are orchestrated by the Antichrist, that earthquakes are proof the end is near. They lie to their listeners, ignoring the fact that these things have always happened. Wealthy and stable nations are largely protected from the horrible repercussions of these events. Comfortable people tend to overreact when suddenly inconvenienced. But people suffer every day; it's important not to assume that the serenity of one culture is shared everywhere.
Jesus is replying to the disciples' question about when the temple will be destroyed (Luke 21:7), first giving a general overview of world events during the church age. Then Jesus lays out three prophecies that largely refer to Jews. The first is that His followers will be persecuted (Luke 21:12–19). Only after persecution is established will Jerusalem and the temple be destroyed (Luke 21:20–24). From that point, the "times of the Gentiles" begin (Luke 21:24). When that time is finished and the Jews are reconciled to God, Jesus will return, judge the world, and establish His kingdom (Luke 21:25–28).
Instead of "various," the King James Version uses "divers," an old spelling of "diverse."
Luke 21:7–11 continues Jesus' prophecies. First, He gives an overall snapshot about hardships the world will face during the church age. Second, He warns about the persecutions the disciples will face at the beginning of the church age (Luke 21:12–19). Third, Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem which would occur in AD 70 (Luke 21:20–24). Finally, He talks about His second coming (Luke 21:25–28). As is the custom in the Bible, prophecies about the church age—in between the fall of Jerusalem and the rapture—are vague. Matthew 24:3–8 and Mark 13:3–8 have much of the same information.
Luke 21 records the last of Jesus' teachings before the Last Supper, His arrest, and His crucifixion. Luke 21:1–4 fits well with the themes of Luke 19:28—20:47. Luke 21:5–11 describes how false messiahs, war, and natural disasters will become normal. Luke 21:12–24 prophesies challenges prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Luke 21:25–28 moves to the tribulation. Luke 21:29–36 is Jesus' instructions about the disciples' lives and ministries with respect to the delayed kingdom. Luke 21:37–38 is a note about Jesus' schedule in the days between the triumphal entry and His arrest.
