Luke 21 22

Luke 21:22 kjv

For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Luke 21:22 nkjv

For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Luke 21:22 niv

For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.

Luke 21:22 esv

for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.

Luke 21:22 nlt

For those will be days of God's vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.

Luke 21 verses

Luke 21 22 Meaning

Luke 21:22 declares that the catastrophic events, particularly the impending destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, are divinely orchestrated "days of vengeance." This period of intense judgment serves as the fulfillment of prophecies and declarations written in the Holy Scriptures concerning the consequences of a people's rejection of God's ways and His appointed Messiah. It underscores God's justice, His faithfulness to His word, and His sovereign control over human history.

Luke 21 22 Context

Luke 21:22 is a pivotal statement within Jesus' Olivet Discourse, a significant prophetic discourse concerning the end times. Preceding this verse, Jesus explicitly foretells the utter destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (Lk 21:5-6) and gives signs for recognizing the city's impending downfall, specifically its encirclement by armies (Lk 21:20-21). He then instructs his disciples on how to react by fleeing Jerusalem. Verse 22 serves as the theological explanation for these catastrophic events, identifying them not merely as tragic accidents but as "days of vengeance" executed by God. Historically, these prophecies were primarily fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies under Titus in AD 70, a calamitous event that marked the end of the Jewish nation-state for nearly two millennia and confirmed the cessation of the old covenant temple sacrifices. This verse frames that historical judgment as divinely willed and scripturally foretold.

Luke 21 22 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A causal conjunction. It explains the reason for the distress and judgment described immediately before it, connecting the chaos of the times to God's intended purpose.
• these (αὗται, hautai): Feminine plural demonstrative pronoun, referring directly to "days" and by extension, the preceding signs and the events of destruction foretold, particularly the desolation of Jerusalem.
• are (εἰσίν, eisin): Simple verb of being, stating the reality of these specific days.
• the days (ἡμέραι, hēmerai): Plural, indicating a distinct period of time rather than a single moment. In biblical prophecy, "day" or "days" can denote a significant epoch of divine activity, often of judgment or visitation (e.g., "Day of the Lord").
• of vengeance (ἐκδικήσεως, ekdikēseōs): From ekdikēsis, meaning retribution, vindication, or just punishment. This is divine, righteous vengeance, not human vindictiveness. It refers to God's justice being poured out against sin, particularly against Israel's rejection of their Messiah and consistent rebellion, demonstrating His rightful indignation and vindication of His holiness.
• that (ἵνα, hina): A purpose conjunction. It introduces the explicit aim or goal behind these "days of vengeance."
• all things (πάντα, panta): Comprehensive and absolute. It indicates that nothing foreseen or promised in scripture regarding judgment will be left unfulfilled; every detail aligns with God's plan.
• which are written (γεγραμμένα, gegrammena): Perfect passive participle of graphō ("to write"). Signifies something that stands permanently written. It refers to the Holy Scriptures, particularly Old Testament prophecies concerning divine judgment on unrepentant nations, on Israel for its apostasy, and prophecies concerning the coming of Messiah and its consequences.
• may be fulfilled (πληρωθῶσιν, plērōthōsin): Aorist passive subjunctive of plēroō ("to fill," "to fulfill," "to complete," "to bring to full measure"). This highlights the ultimate divine intention: the culmination and precise completion of what God had pre-ordained and announced through His prophets in the Bible. It speaks of the precise execution of God's revealed will.

Words-group analysis:

• For these are the days of vengeance: This phrase presents the theological rationale for the suffering to come. It underscores that the suffering is not random but a targeted act of divine judgment. This specific judgment relates to Jerusalem's failure to recognize its time of visitation (Lk 19:41-44) and its ultimate rejection of Christ.
• that all things which are written may be fulfilled: This is a purpose clause emphasizing God's sovereign control over history and His unwavering faithfulness to His written Word. The divine judgment serves as a demonstration of the absolute truth and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. It reassures that God's plan, however terrible in its execution, is proceeding precisely as He intended. This connection highlights the interconnectedness of God's revealed will (Scripture) and His actions in history.

Luke 21 22 Bonus section

The "days of vengeance" mentioned here are directly tied to the unfulfilled portion of the prophecy Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61:1-2 in Luke 4:18-19. When Jesus read in Nazareth, he stopped short of reading "and the day of vengeance of our God." This demonstrated that His first coming was primarily to inaugurate "the acceptable year of the Lord" (a time of grace and salvation). However, Luke 21:22 signifies the arrival of that previously deferred "day of vengeance," which would come upon Jerusalem due to its persistent rejection of Him and the continued shedding of righteous blood (Matt 23:34-36). This highlights God's patience followed by inevitable, righteous judgment. The destruction of Jerusalem represented the judicial breaking of the old covenant relationship in its earthly, national manifestation, clearing the way for the full display of the new covenant through the Church to all nations.

Luke 21 22 Commentary

Luke 21:22 distills the core theological meaning of the impending destruction of Jerusalem as predicted by Jesus. It reveals that the calamitous events—the besieging armies, the flight from the city, and the widespread suffering—are not simply historical misfortunes but are, profoundly, "the days of vengeance." This term signifies God's righteous judgment against Jerusalem for its unrepentant sin and its ultimate rejection of the Messiah. It is not an arbitrary act but a measured and just response from a holy God, specifically aimed at a covenant people who had consistently hardened their hearts against Him and persecuted His prophets and now His Son.

Furthermore, the verse emphasizes that these events serve a crucial purpose: "that all things which are written may be fulfilled." This refers directly to the extensive prophecies found in the Old Testament concerning God's judgment upon His own people when they turn away, and indeed, predictions of Jerusalem's desolation. For instance, Deuteronomy 32, Isaiah 34, Jeremiah 46, and Daniel 9 all contain echoes of divine retribution. This fulfillment is not just about isolated predictions but about the broader sweep of God's covenant dealings, where disobedience incurs a specified curse. This validates the trustworthiness of Scripture, showing that God's Word is always accomplished.

For believers, this verse offers profound theological implications. It assures that God is actively involved in human history, orchestrating events to align with His revealed will. Even in devastating judgment, His character as a just and sovereign God is revealed. It also provides a severe warning against spiritual blindness and rejecting God's ultimate salvation. While rooted in a specific historical event (AD 70), the principle extends to the certainty of future eschatological judgments and the ultimate triumph of God's righteous rule, which will also fulfill "all things written."