God’s Word Translation
Luke 21:20
20“When you see armies camped around Jerusalem, realize that the time is near for it to be destroyed.
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 on your head will be lost. 19By your endurance you will save your life. “When you see armies camped around Jerusalem, realize that the time is near for it to be destroyed. 21Then those of you in Judea should flee to the mountains. Those of you in Jerusalem should leave it. Those of you in the fields shouldn’t go back into them. 22This will be a time of vengeance. Everything that is written about it will come true.
Read all of Luke 21Luke 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 21:7The disciples asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? What will be the sign when all this will occur?”
- Luke 19:43The time will come when enemy armies will build a wall to surround you and close you in on every side.
- Daniel 9:27He will confirm his promise with many for one set of seven time periods. In the middle of the seven time periods, he will stop the sacrifices and food offerings. This will happen along with disgusting things that cause destruction until ⌞those time periods⌟ come to an end. It has been determined that this will happen to those who destroy ⌞the city⌟.”
- Matthew 24:15“The prophet Daniel said that the disgusting thing that will cause destruction will stand in the holy place. When you see this (let the reader take note),
- Mark 13:14“When you see the disgusting thing that will cause destruction standing where it should not (let the reader take note), those of you in Judea should 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
In the dictionaries
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
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