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).