Luke 21:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."

NIV: "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."

NASB: As for these things which you are observing, the days will come when there will not be left one stone upon another, which will not be torn down.'

CSB: "These things that you see—the days will come when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down."

NLT: The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!'

KJV: As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

NKJV: “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

The Mount of Olives is east of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:3). From that height, well above the temple Mount, Jesus' disciples can look down over the porticoes and the temple. They are awed by the majesty of the place where they get to worship God (Luke 21:5). However, Jesus warns that this majesty will not last. Less than forty years later, the Romans will besiege Jerusalem, storm the temple Mount, and set the temple ablaze. The heat will be intense. The gold from the ceremonial implements, the plating on the furnishings, and the coins in the treasury will melt, seeping into the seams of the stones. The soldiers will tear the stones apart so they can scrape the gold away.

Having prophesied the events of AD 70, Jesus goes on to lay out long-term hardships which the world will soon find normal: false messiahs, wars, and natural disasters (Luke 21:8–11). Before that, the disciples will be arrested, persecuted, imprisoned, and betrayed by those they are closest to. But they will also experience the intense equipping of the Holy Spirit and share the gospel with kings and governors (Luke 21:12–17).

Jesus' description of the fall of Jerusalem is relatively sedate. It's the city of David and the temple of God, but material things can be rebuilt. He mourns more for the people of Jerusalem who reject Him. When He anticipated His arrival in Jerusalem, He said:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'" (Luke 13:34–35)

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 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.