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 standing firm, you will win your souls. “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. 21Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city. 22For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures 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 21:7“Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”
• Luke 19:43Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side.
• Daniel 9:27The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him.”
• Matthew 24:15“The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!)
• Mark 13:14“The day is coming when you will see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing where he should not be.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills.

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