Luke 21:35 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

NIV: For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.

NASB: for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth.

CSB: like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth.

NLT: like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.

KJV: For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

NKJV: For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Jesus is talking to Peter, James, John, and Andrew (Mark 13:3) about how His followers should act considering that we cannot know when He will return (Mark 13:32; Acts 1:6–7). Jesus has already described the events that will herald the event:

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken." (Luke 21:25–26)

Jesus has said that people who live in those days will be able to tell when the day is coming near (Luke 21:29–31). A common reading of the books of Daniel and Revelation reveals Jesus will come at the end of a seven-year tribulation which begins when the Antichrist makes a peace treaty between Israel and their enemies (Daniel 9:24–27). Ideally, it should be simple to tell the time.

However, under that interpretation, the tribulation will occur after the "rapture of the church." This sudden disappearance of millions—or billions—of people will have a catastrophic effect on many nations as well as worldwide communications. Access to Bibles may be limited, especially in areas where the Antichrist has more direct control. Someone who has a Bible may come to Christ but not know when the Antichrist made the treaty. Someone living in "Babylon" may not have any accurate information about end-times events.

Further, the entire world will suffer under the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments described in Revelation.

Jesus tells His followers to fix their eyes on Jesus' return, not the "cares of this life." Those who, for a while, have the money and power to avoid suffering (Revelation 18:16–19), need to reject wild parties that distract them from coming judgment (Luke 21:34). They need to "stay awake at all times, praying that [they] may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).

Luke 21:34–36 records Jesus telling His followers how to live as they await His second coming. They must be alert to what is going on around them: to how God and the enemy are working in the world. They must remain sober minded so that when they meet Him, whether at His return or their death, they will be found faithful. Matthew and Mark use parables to give this message while Luke uses more direct language.

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.