Luke 21:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.

NIV: But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.

NASB: But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors on account of My name.

CSB: But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.

NLT: But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.

KJV: But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

NKJV: But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.

Prior to this passage, the disciples were probably feeling incredibly good about themselves. They witnessed as Jesus proved He had the authority of the Messiah, and the religious leaders were unqualified (Luke 20). They followed Jesus to the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem and above the temple Mount. As they looked at the temple, they took pride in the beauty of the buildings where they can worship God (Luke 21:5).

Jesus had to tell them that their joy will be short-lived. A time will soon come when the temple will be destroyed so thoroughly not one stone will be stacked on another (Luke 21:6). History confirms that this happened: when the Romans sacked Jerusalem in AD 70.

The warning about the disciples' persecution echoes the one about the temple. For the moment, the disciples are popular and the temple is beautiful. Soon, the Jewish religious leaders Jesus debated will arrest, beat, and kill the disciples. Shortly after, the Roman army will burn the temple.

The two ideas are closely related: the Holy Spirit will leave the temple and enter the disciples (Acts 2:1–4). When the temple is destroyed, God-worship as given in the Mosaic law becomes impossible, because there is no altar. When the disciples are arrested and beaten (Acts 4:1–22; 5:17–42; 7:54–60; 8:1–3; 12:1–4), however, the Holy Spirit will take over. He will empower the disciples to preach in His name before kings and governors (Acts 13:4–12; 24:1–21; 25:13—26:29). And even if their families orchestrate their deaths, God will secure their eternal lives (Luke 21:13–19).

Being brought before the synagogues is more serious than it appears. Jewish evangelists typically start teaching about Jesus in the synagogue because the Jews there have the context of the Old Testament prophecies about their Messiah. That's what Stephen did; he was killed for it (Acts 6:8–15; 7:54–60). Jewish Christians didn't suddenly become Gentiles; they still followed the Mosaic law. To be kicked out of the synagogue in Gentile territory means to have no access to their home culture or the food they need to stay clean. The context of the book of Galatians is that Jewish Christians told Gentile Christians they had to become circumcised to be saved. They knew it wasn't true, but they couldn't associate with unclean Gentiles and still attend the synagogue. Getting them circumcised was the only way they could live in both worlds.

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.