What does Luke 21:17 mean?
This continues Jesus' prophecy about what the disciples will face before the destruction of the temple. They will be arrested and taken to trial in the Sanhedrin, civil courts, and even before kings. Sometimes, their families and close friends will instigate these arrests, and even lead the effort to have them killed (Luke 21:12–16).Days before this, the disciples accompanied Jesus from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. As they went, a huge crowd laid their cloaks and palm branches on the road and shouted, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:28–38).
In the days since, Jesus has been debating religious leaders about who has more authority: Jesus or the Pharisees, Sadducees, priests, and scribes. Jesus tore down their arguments, exposed their hypocrisy, and revealed He knows the Scriptures more deeply than they ever could (Luke 20). In response, the defeated leaders withdrew and the people heard Jesus gladly (Mark 12:37).
In a few days, however, a throng will cry for Jesus' crucifixion (Luke 23:13–23). The disciples will hide in fear (John 20:19). But then, Jesus will rise to life again.
After Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit will indwell Jesus' followers, emboldening them to build the church (Acts 1—2). As they spread out to share the gospel, they will be driven out of synagogues, beaten by pagans, and crucified by the Roman government. "All" does not mean every single person; it's the same figure of speech used in modern languages. It certainly means representatives of every people group and culture, and often it will mean "most or virtually everyone in a certain group." That continues today. But Jesus has also told us how to respond to our persecutors: love them (Luke 6:27–36).
Luke 21:12–19 warns Jesus' disciples that their newfound admiration amongst the people will be short-lived. Soon, religious leaders will use the Roman government to arrest them, and their relatives will even conspire for their deaths. Still, they will have the opportunity to share the gospel and God will hold them safe, even as they die. Although Jesus is speaking to the disciples, the warning applies to the whole church age. The church's persecution is also found in Matthew 24:9–13 and Mark 13:9–13.
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.
