Luke 21 21

Luke 21:21 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.

Luke 21:21 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.

Luke 21:21 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.

Luke 21:21 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,

Luke 21:21 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.

Luke 21 verses

Luke 21 21 Meaning

Luke 21:21 provides a direct and urgent instruction from Jesus to His disciples concerning the signs that precede and accompany the imminent destruction of Jerusalem. It commands those in the region of Judea, particularly within or near the city of Jerusalem, to flee to safety in the mountains, while those in the rural areas are warned against entering the doomed city. This counsel emphasizes the necessity of swift escape and avoidance of Jerusalem when its destruction is at hand, stressing practical action and discernment during a period of intense tribulation.

Luke 21 21 Context

Luke 21:21 is a crucial part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivered on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem shortly before His crucifixion (Lk 21:5-36). The disciples had admired the Temple, prompting Jesus to prophesy its complete destruction (Lk 21:5-6). This led them to ask about the timing of these events and the signs preceding them (Lk 21:7). Jesus' discourse, while having elements that apply to the ultimate return of Christ and the end of the age, primarily focuses on the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, which occurred in 70 AD under the Roman General Titus.

Specifically, verse 21 immediately follows Jesus' prophecy in verse 20: "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand." This defines the precise "when" for the command to flee. The instructions are therefore practical, given to those who would witness the Roman siege. Historically, Christians in Judea heeded this warning, fleeing Jerusalem before its destruction, most notably to Pella in Decapolis. The context highlights Jesus' prophetic foreknowledge and His compassionate warning to His followers, contrasting with common Jewish beliefs that Jerusalem was impregnable due to God's presence in the Temple, which proved to be a misplaced trust in physical structures rather than spiritual discernment.

Luke 21 21 Word analysis

• Then (Greek: Tote - τότε): A temporal adverb meaning "at that time" or "in that case." It connects this specific instruction directly to the preceding sign mentioned in Luke 21:20—the encircling of Jerusalem by armies. This "then" marks the critical moment for action, not before and not too late.
• let those who are in Judea (Greek: hoi en tē Ioudaia - οἱ ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ): Refers to believers residing in the entire geographical region of Judea, not just within the city limits of Jerusalem. It broadens the scope of the warning to include all who are close enough to be impacted by the impending catastrophe in Jerusalem.
• flee (Greek: pheugete - φεύγετε): An urgent, strong imperative verb meaning "to flee," "to run away," "to escape." It denotes immediate and decisive action, leaving everything behind. It implies danger, requiring swift self-preservation. This is not a casual departure but a panicked, life-saving flight.
• to the mountains (Greek: eis ta orē - εἰς τὰ ὄρη): Mountains in the ancient world, especially in Palestine, commonly served as places of refuge, wilderness, and safety from advancing armies or settled populations. This instruction points to a literal escape route, to remote, inaccessible areas where people could hide or wait out the siege.
• and let those who are in the midst of her (Greek: kai hoi en mesō autēs - καὶ οἱ ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς): "Her" refers specifically to Jerusalem, the main city under siege. This phrase designates those inside the city walls. This distinguishes them from those generally in Judea.
• depart (Greek: ekchōreitōsan - ἐκχωρείτωσαν): An imperative verb meaning "to go out," "to leave," "to withdraw from." While also a command to exit, it carries a slightly less frantic tone than pheugete ("flee"), suggesting a departure from within the city before the gates are fully shut or conditions become impossible, though still requiring haste. It denotes withdrawing from the enclosed space.
• and let not those who are in the country (Greek: kai hoi en tais chōrais - καὶ οἱ ἐν ταῖς χώραις): This refers to people living in the villages, farmlands, or rural areas surrounding Jerusalem, but not directly within the city. This category captures the population in the wider Judean countryside.
• enter her (Greek: eiserchesathōsan eis autēn - εἰσερχέσθωσαν εἰς αὐτήν): An imperative, forbidding entry into Jerusalem. This is a critical counter-intuitive instruction. Typically, during a siege, people would flock to the fortified city for perceived safety. Jesus commands the opposite—to avoid the city, as it would become a death trap. This foresight highlights the unique, severe nature of Jerusalem's impending judgment.
• "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.": This entire passage provides a comprehensive survival strategy. It delineates three distinct groups and their corresponding actions, covering the geographical scope of the threatened area (Judea generally, Jerusalem specifically, and the surrounding rural areas). It underlines the universal necessity for quick, decisive disengagement from Jerusalem as the ultimate judgment begins. The warnings apply equally to those within, those near, and those considering entry, making it clear that Jerusalem, typically a place of refuge, would become a place of ruin.

Luke 21 21 Bonus section

• The Specificity of Prophecy: Unlike some broader prophecies that speak of general calamities, this instruction in Luke 21:21 is remarkably precise regarding timing ("when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies") and action ("flee to the mountains"). This precision provided concrete actionable intelligence to believers, allowing them to escape one of the most brutal sieges in history.
• Historical Fulfillment: Historical records, particularly by Eusebius and Josephus, confirm that believers did indeed flee Jerusalem before its final destruction in 70 AD. Tradition states that many Jewish Christians relocated to Pella, a city across the Jordan River in the region of Decapolis, thereby escaping the devastating famine, disease, and Roman wrath that engulfed Jerusalem.
• Beyond Physical Escape: While the primary application of Luke 21:21 was literal and practical for 70 AD, its principle also resonates through time. It teaches spiritual discernment: recognizing "signs" (whether in our lives or in broader contexts) that signal imminent spiritual danger or judgment, and taking decisive, immediate action to separate from that which is condemned. It's a call to not be naive, to recognize judgment, and to seek God-ordained refuge.
• Contrast to Popular Belief: The common Jewish belief at the time was that Jerusalem and the Temple were inviolable due to God's covenant with Israel. Jesus' command to abandon the city directly countered this entrenched theology of invincibility, demonstrating that God's judgment would fall even upon His holy city if its people rejected His Messiah. It was a call to prioritize allegiance to Christ and His word over nationalistic sentiment or false security.

Luke 21 21 Commentary

Luke 21:21 is a clear, urgent, and highly practical instruction given by Jesus as part of His prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. It emphasizes discerning the "signs of the times" and acting swiftly in response to divine judgment. The instruction to "flee to the mountains" for those in Judea, to "depart" for those inside Jerusalem, and for those in the country not to "enter" Jerusalem, highlights the critical necessity of physically separating oneself from the condemned city. This was a literal command to preserve life and a test of faith in Jesus' prophetic word. Christians of that era who heeded this warning survived the horrific siege, while many who trusted in the city's perceived invincibility perished. It serves as a profound example of God's grace in providing warning and the importance of obedience to His instructions, even when they seem counterintuitive or require great sacrifice. Practically, it underscores that God’s people are sometimes called to remove themselves from imminent danger, demonstrating trust in divine provision and guidance.