Luke 21:20

Luke 21:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
• New International Version (NIV)“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

Context of Luke 21:20

18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls. “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her complete destruction is near. 21At that time, those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside the city (Jerusalem) must get out, and those who are [out] in the country must not enter the city; 22for these are days of vengeance [of rendering full justice or satisfaction], so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.

Luke 21:20 word by word

Ὅταν δὲ ἴδητε κυκλουμένην ὑπὸ στρατοπέδων Ἰερουσαλήμ, τότε γνῶτε ὅτι ἤγγικεν ἡ ἐρήμωσις αὐτῆς.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andδέde · thenG1161
• whenὅτανhotan · when(-ever)G3752
• ye shall seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• JerusalemἹερουσαλήμHierousalēm · JerusalemG2419
• compassedκυκλόωkukloō · to surroundG2944
• withὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
• armiesστρατόπεδονstratopedon · army campG4760
• thenτότεtote · thenG5119
• knowγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• the desolationἐρήμωσιςerēmōsis · devastationG2050
• thereofαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• is nighἐγγίζωeggizō · to come nearG1448

Cross-references for Luke 21:20

• Luke 21:7They asked Him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to happen?”
• Luke 19:43For a time [of siege] is coming when your enemies will put up a barricade [with pointed stakes] against you, and surround you [with armies] and hem you in on every side,
• Daniel 9:27And he will enter into a binding and irrevocable covenant with the many for one week (seven years), but in the middle of the week he will stop the sacrifice and grain offering [for the remaining three and one-half years]; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until the complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who causes the horror.”
• Matthew 24:15“So when you see the abomination of desolation [the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place (let the reader understand),
• Mark 13:14“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing [in the temple sanctuary] where it ought not to be (let the reader understand) then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.

Commentaries on Luke 21:20

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7-36Verses 7-36 The account of the destruction of Jerusalem contained in this chapter has been fully considered in the notes at Luke 21:9 Commotions - Insurrections. Subjects rising against their rulers. Luke 21:11 Fearful sights - See Matthew 24:7. Luke 21:12, Luke 21:13 Synagogues, and into prisons - See the notes at Mark 13:9-10. Luke 21:14 Settle it, therefore, in your hearts - Fix it firmly in your minds - so firmly as to become a settled principle…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-28Verses 5-28 With much curiosity those about Christ ask as to the time when the great desolation should be. He answers with clearness and fulness, as far as was necessary to teach them their duty; for all knowledge is desirable as far as it is in order to practice. Though spiritual judgements are the most common in gospel times, yet God makes use of temporal judgments also. Christ tells them what hard things they should suffer for his name's sake, and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-24Jesus was describing the siege and destruction of Jerusalem that would take place in AD 70.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-2120-21. by armies--encamped armies, that is, besieged: "the abomination of desolation" (meaning the Roman ensigns, as the symbols of an idolatrous, pagan, unclean power) "spoken of by Daniel the prophet" (Da 9:27) "standing where it ought not" (Mr 13:14). "Whoso readeth [that prophecy] let him understand" (Mt 24:15). Then ... flee, &c.--Eusebius says the Christians fled to Pella, at the north extremity of Perea, being "prophetically directed"; perhaps by…Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 21:20

• Israel, Prophecies Concerning
• Jerusalem
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• War
• Watchfulness

In the dictionaries

• Jerusalem
• Abundance
• Commotion
• Desolation, Abomination of
• Distress
• Gainsay
• Gospels
• Lift
• Look
• Mouth

Commentaries on Luke 21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings