Luke 21:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,

NIV: Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.

NASB: Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city;

CSB: Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those inside the city must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it,

NLT: Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city.

KJV: Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

NKJV: Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.

Jesus is describing to Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Mark 13:3) some of the horrors that Israel will face between His ascension and second coming. In this section, He gives more detail to His prophecy about the destruction of the temple (Luke 21:6) and describes how all of Jerusalem will fall. Here, He warns Jews to flee not just Jerusalem but to run to the mountains if they're in Judea; judgment is coming (Luke 21:22).

In AD 67, after years of Jewish revolt against their Roman occupiers, General Vespasian and King Agrippa II joined forces and attacked Galilee. The Jewish survivors, particularly the Zealots who led the insurrections, fled to Jerusalem where they clashed with the more moderate residents, assassinated the Roman-friendly leadership, and started a civil war that lasted until Rome destroyed the city in AD 70.

When God sent the Babylonians to take the southern kingdom of Judah into exile, He told the Jews to submit: to surrender and go peacefully (Jeremiah 38:17–18). When the Roman armies surround Jerusalem (Luke 21:20), Jesus tells the people they must flee. Run to the mountains. Get out of the city. Do not return to join the fight, and certainly do not try to enter Jerusalem for the feasts. Abandon the Promised Land.

While the Romans surround Jerusalem, the Jews fight a civil war inside the city. In Jerusalem, the people starve. If they try to flee, the Romans enslave or kill them. Galilee is already taken. Judea isn't safe. Their only chance is to climb the mountains where, maybe, the soldiers won't want to follow. But even the outpost on Masada is taken three years later.

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 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.