Luke 21 - Printer Friendly

Luke 21 records the last of Jesus' teachings before the Last Supper, His arrest, and His crucifixion.

Luke 21:1–4 would easily fit with the contents of chapter 20: Jesus' claims of authority among the religious leaders. The poor widow is a foil for the scribes in Luke 20:45–47. The widow gives to the temple treasury with no fanfare; the scribes dress for the attention they crave. The widow gives her last two copper coins; the scribes engage in unfair business practices and "devour widows' houses" (Luke 20:47). By condemning the scribes and praising the widow, Jesus claims authority over the religious leaders and their expectations, values, and traditions.

Luke 21:5–6 begins Jesus' prophecies about the coming days and the end times. This group of prophecies is primarily oriented toward the Jews although some events will also affect Gentiles. The disciples comment on the majesty of the temple. Jesus tells them the temple will be destroyed.

Luke 21:7–11 continues Jesus' prophecies. The disciples ask for signs of the impending destruction of the temple; Jesus responds first with a sampling of the deceit and disasters that will come upon the world during the church age.

In Luke 21:12–19, Jesus backtracks and describes what His disciples will face as they build the church.

In Luke 21:20–24, Jesus gives more details about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Matthew and Mark word this as a double prophecy which also refers to events during the tribulation. Luke is more deliberate about drawing a distinction between the two events.

Luke 21:25–28 describes Jesus' second coming at the end of the tribulation.

In Luke 21:29–33, Jesus applies the disciples' question about the signs of the fall of Jerusalem to His second coming. If they pay attention, the timing of the return of the Son of Man will be obvious.

Luke 21:34–36 explains what Jesus' followers should do in the meantime: avoid anything that impairs judgment, be prepared, and pray that God will bring deliverance from the horrors to come.

Luke 21:37–38 is an aside explaining that since the triumphal entry Jesus has slept on the Mount of Olives at night and taught at the temple during the day. This flows into Luke 22:1–6, which explains that chief priests and scribes have been trying to kill Jesus. They can't because He spends His days at the temple, teaching crowds of people, but Judas provides a solution. The rest of Luke 22 gives the account of the Last Supper and Jesus' betrayal, arrest, and trial before the Sanhedrin.

Luke 21:1–4 completes Jesus' defense of His authority after the triumphal entry (Luke 19:28—20:47). He singles out a poor widow as a counterpoint to the religious leaders He warned about earlier (Luke 20:45–47). The scribes crave attention, while the widow acts quietly. The scribes steal widows' homes, while this widow gives her last two coins for the temple treasury. With His authority sufficiently defended, Jesus goes on to warn the disciples about their coming hardships (Luke 21:5–36). The widow is also mentioned in Mark 12:41–44.

Luke 21:5–6 begins what has been labeled the "Olivet Discourse." Here, Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple. Jesus has been in Jerusalem, taking spiritual authority, teaching crowds, and flummoxing local religious leaders. The disciples see the temple as more beautiful than ever. Jesus warns them that the building's beauty is fleeting. In fact, within forty years of their talk, the Romans will have destroyed it and Jerusalem. Jesus goes on to give a general warning of the hardships His people will face before His second coming. This content is also covered in Matthew 24:1–2 and Mark 13:1–2.

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 21:12–19 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 21:20–24 answers the disciples' question regarding what signs will precede the destruction of the temple (Luke 21:6–7). Jesus reveals that all Jerusalem will be destroyed. This happened decades after Jesus' ascension, during the Roman attack in AD 70. Jesus' next prophecy skips the church age and covers His return at the end of the tribulation (Luke 21:25–28), mentioning the "times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24) but not providing specific details. Matthew 24:15–20 and Mark 13:14–18 also record Jesus' words about the destruction of Jerusalem.

Luke 21:25–28 records the last section of Jesus' prophecy about the challenges the Jews and His followers will face. After war, natural disasters, persecution, the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, and the times of the Gentiles, the Son of Man will appear and judge the world. It is at this moment that Jesus-followers can be confident that Jesus' time has come. In anticipation, Jesus admonishes His followers to stay sober and alert, to make the most of the time before He returns (Luke 21:29–36). This warning is also in Matthew 24:29–31 and Mark 13:24–27 but it originates in Daniel 7:13–14.

Luke 21:29–33 is Jesus' practical application to the warnings in Luke 21:25–28. His prophecies begin when the disciples are first persecuted and continue through His second coming at the end of the tribulation (Luke 21:8–28). Now, Jesus tells them to keep watch for the signs of His return. If they are to faithfully serve Him, they need to focus on God's kingdom, not their earthly comforts or decadent and avoidant behavior. Matthew 24:32–35 and Mark 13:28–31 cover the same material, but Matthew continues in a great deal more detail in Matthew 24:36—25:46.

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.

Luke 21 finishes the presentation of Jesus in Jerusalem as the Messiah of the Jews. This lays a foundation for the Passion Narrative: the final days before Jesus is crucified. Luke 19:28—20:47 covered most of the discussions about His authority which are completed with His words about the widow's sacrificial offering (Luke 21:1–4). The rest of the chapter records His warnings to the disciples about the violence they, the temple, Jerusalem, and the world will face between His ascension and His return. Matthew 24 and Mark 12:41—13:37 cover the same material.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.