Luke 21 20

Luke 21:20 kjv

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Luke 21:20 nkjv

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

Luke 21:20 niv

"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.

Luke 21:20 esv

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.

Luke 21:20 nlt

"And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived.

Luke 21 verses

Luke 21 20 Meaning

Luke 21:20 conveys a specific and identifiable sign given by Jesus to His followers, indicating the precise moment when the destructive judgment upon Jerusalem and its Temple would be imminent. This sign—Jerusalem being surrounded by armies—was to serve as an unequivocal warning for believers to immediately flee the city to avoid its catastrophic desolation. It distinguishes a specific historical event of judgment from broader signs of the end times, emphasizing the accuracy of Jesus' prophecy and the urgency of a discerning response.

Luke 21 20 Context

Luke chapter 21 is part of Jesus' "Olivet Discourse," delivered shortly before His crucifixion, where He answers the disciples' questions about the end of the age and the destruction of the Temple (Luke 21:7). The chapter begins with Jesus' prediction of the Temple's complete demolition (Luke 21:5-6). He then describes broader "birth pains" (Luke 21:8-19) such as false messiahs, wars, natural disasters, and the persecution of believers, which would precede the ultimate cosmic end-time events. However, Luke 21:20 presents a critical turning point and a distinct, precise, and observable sign specific to the imminent destruction of Jerusalem itself, an event separate from the return of the Son of Man in power and glory. This historical context directly refers to the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in A.D. 70.

Luke 21 20 Word analysis

• But (Δέ / de): This conjunction introduces a new and crucial piece of information, serving as a transition from general prophecies to a specific, identifiable sign. It signals a shift in focus to a direct indicator.

• when you see (ὅταν ἴδητε / hotan idēte): The Greek hotan idēte implies an immediate and clear visual observation. Hotan (whenever/when) with idēte (you see/perceive, from horaō) places emphasis on a distinct, verifiable event that the disciples living at that time would witness. This is not a hidden or obscure sign but an undeniable occurrence.

• Jerusalem (Ἱερουσαλὴμ / Hierousalēm): Refers to the physical, historical, and spiritual capital of the Jewish people. The focus on Jerusalem signifies its unique status and the profound impact its judgment would have. The prophecy directly targets the city central to Israel's covenant with God.

• surrounded (κυκλουμένην / kykloumenēn): This is the present passive participle of kykloō, meaning "to encircle, encompass, besiege." The passive voice indicates an action done to Jerusalem by an external force. The present tense participle denotes an ongoing process – a military siege in action, forming a visible blockade.

• by armies (ὑπὸ στρατευμάτων / hypo strateumatōn): Hypo (by) denotes the agent, and strateumatōn (genitive plural of strateuma, "army" or "troops") explicitly names the instruments of encirclement: organized military forces. This specification clarifies that the threat is not internal strife but external, overwhelming military might, historically pointing to the Roman legions.

• then know (τότε γνῶτε / tote gnōte): Tote (then/at that time) signals the immediate consequence of observing the sign. Gnōte (know, understand, perceive, from ginōskō) is an urgent imperative, demanding prompt comprehension and recognition. This "knowing" implies an informed awareness leading to immediate action, not just intellectual understanding.

• that its desolation (ὅτι ἐγγὺς ἡ ἐρήμωσις αὐτῆς / hoti engys hē erēmōsis autēs):

  • hoti (that) introduces the object of their knowledge.
  • hē erēmōsis (the desolation): This Greek term directly refers to "ruin," "devastation," "making desolate," often with a strong connotation of divine judgment. Unlike Matthew's and Mark's more enigmatic "abomination of desolation," Luke provides a plainer term directly applicable to the destruction of the city.
  • autēs (its): Clearly refers back to Jerusalem.

• is at hand (ἐγγύς ἐστιν / engys estin): Engys (near, at hand, imminent) combined with estin (is) stresses the absolute immediacy and certainty of the event once the sign is observed. The repetition of "at hand" emphasizes the extreme urgency, signaling no time for delay.

• Word Group Analysis:

  • "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies": This phrase functions as a crystal-clear, verifiable signal. It specifies the "what" and the "how"—Jerusalem, encircled by hostile forces. This makes the prophecy distinct and actionable for believers, allowing them to visibly recognize the onset of the predicted calamity.
  • "then know that its desolation is at hand": This forms the decisive consequence. Upon recognizing the clear sign, disciples were to immediately understand that the city's destruction was not a distant threat but an imminent reality. The emphasis on "know" and "at hand" underscores the critical need for quick, informed response rather than hesitation or disbelief.

Luke 21 20 Bonus section

• Historical Validation: The detailed historical accounts of Flavius Josephus, particularly in "The Jewish War," extensively describe the Roman legions besieging Jerusalem in A.D. 70, led by General (later Emperor) Titus. This historical record serves as powerful external corroboration of Jesus' exact prophecy in Luke 21:20. Josephus even notes a period when the Roman forces briefly withdrew (under Cestius Gallus in A.D. 66), providing a window of opportunity for early Christians to escape before the final, unyielding siege by Titus.
• Practicality for the Disciples: This verse and the immediate follow-up instructions (Luke 21:21-24) provided the first-century disciples with an observable trigger for self-preservation. Unlike the broader, more metaphorical signs of the cosmic end-times, the "surrounding by armies" was a direct, localized event calling for specific, rapid action (flight). This highlights God's gracious provision of warning for His faithful ones to escape impending judgment.
• Distinction from Cosmic Eschatology: Jesus intentionally distinguishes the fall of Jerusalem (Luke 21:20-24), a historical event, from the broader, universal signs preceding His Second Coming (Luke 21:25-27). This helps in understanding that not all biblical prophecies concerning the end are simultaneous or referring to the very end of time. Luke 21:20-24 serves as a unique "mini-prophecy" with a clear historical fulfillment that also serves as a pattern of divine judgment and the need for preparedness.

Luke 21 20 Commentary

Luke 21:20 provides Jesus' remarkably precise prophetic warning regarding the literal destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. While the parallel accounts in Matthew and Mark refer to the "abomination of desolation," Luke's phrasing—"when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies"—offers a concrete, undeniable military event as the pivotal sign. This clarity was vital, particularly for early Gentile Christians, who might not have understood the specific Jewish eschatological context of "abomination." The surrounding by armies signified an active siege, meaning God's judgment, foretold due to Jerusalem's rejection of Jesus and the persistent unfaithfulness of its people, was directly "at hand." This was not an apocalyptic symbol but a literal and practical instruction for immediate physical escape. Christians who heeded this divine intelligence fled to Pella, across the Jordan, before the final, devastating Roman siege, thereby sparing their lives and confirming the veracity and practical application of Jesus' prophetic words.