New King James Version
Luke 21:20
20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
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 Living Translation (NLT)“And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived.
Context of Luke 21:20
18But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19By your patience possess your souls. “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21Then 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. 22For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
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 21:7So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
- Luke 19:43For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,
- Daniel 9:27Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”
- Matthew 24:15“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),
- Mark 13:14“So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries