Luke 21:19 - Printer Friendly

The disciples have learned, from Jesus, that the temple will be destroyed. The disciples ask when this will happen. In response, He gives an overview of hardships which will occur during the church age (Luke 21:8–11), then specifies three events that will particularly affect Jews. First is persecution of the disciples (Luke 21:12–19). Second is the fall of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70 (Luke 21:20–24). Last is the day of the Lord when Jesus will return and redeem the Jews (Luke 21:25–28).

Here, Jesus finishes His description of the persecution the disciples will face with some encouragement. All is not lost. They will survive. Like the previous verse, this one is confusing if read without context. It seems to say that the disciples will not die if they endure persecution. The meaning hinges on the terms "endurance" and "lives." Does endure mean not run away from persecution? Or to stay tough during persecution? Or to stay faithful to Jesus during persecution? Does "lives" mean physical lives or resurrection lives?

It obviously doesn't mean that the disciples' physical lives can be saved if they endure persecution; Jesus has just said some will be killed (Luke 21:16). So, "lives" clearly refers to eternal life. If "endurance" means that a Jesus-follower will never deny Jesus in a moment of weakness or misrepresent Him through ignorance, then Peter and Apollos wouldn't be saved (Luke 22:54–62; Acts 18:24–26).

So, what is the verse saying? Reading it within context, it's clear. It's not meant to be a theological statement about the nature of salvation or the perseverance of the saints. It's meant to be encouragement and exhortation. Persecution will come. Don't despair. Don't be afraid. Keep your focus on Jesus. Eternal life is coming.

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.

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.