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

18Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your lives. “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 22because these are days of vengeance, 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

• “But whenὅτανhotan · when(-ever)G3752
• you seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• JerusalemἹερουσαλήμHierousalēm · JerusalemG2419
• surroundedκυκλόωkukloō · to surroundG2944
• by armiesστρατόπεδονstratopedon · army campG4760
• thenτότεtote · thenG5119
• recognizeγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• that her desolationἐρήμωσιςerēmōsis · devastationG2050
• is nearἐγγίζωeggizō · to come nearG1448

Cross-references for Luke 21:20

• Luke 21:7They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
• Luke 19:43For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side,
• Daniel 9:27And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”
• Matthew 24:15“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
• Mark 13:14“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not 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