Tyndale Open Study NotesLuke 21

Jesus set the sacrificial offering of the poor widow in contrast to the greed and hypocrisy of the rich people, including the teachers of religious law (20:45–47).

The Greek term for treasury likely refers to boxes with trumpet-shaped openings for collecting offerings.

two small copper coins: These coins (Greek lepta) were worth about 1/64 of a denarius. A denarius was the wage a laborer would receive for one day of work.

The size of the gift matters less than the attitude of the person who gives it.

When Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, his disciples asked when it would happen and what signs would accompany it (21:6,7). Jesus responded by describing the events surrounding the destruction of the temple and the return of the Son of Man (21:8–36). This sermon is known as the Olivet Discourse because the Mount of Olives was where Jesus taught (see Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3).

• adorned with beautiful stones: Herod the Great rebuilt and restored the temple in Jerusalem, producing one of the great structures of the ancient world. According to the historian Josephus, the massive white stones reflected the sun with such brilliance that from a distance the temple looked like snow-covered mountains (War 5.5.6).

• The memorial decorations were probably funded by offerings given by worshipers to fulfill vows.

not one stone will be left on another: See study note on 19:43–44.

Jesus spoke about events that many people misunderstand as signs of the end of the age. These events include false messiahs (people who claim to be God’s chosen one), wars, earthquakes, famines (times when there is not enough food), and severe persecution (violent suffering because of faith).

However, Jesus made it clear that these events do not mean the end will happen right away. The end will not come immediately after these things.

claiming, ‘I am He,’: See study note on Mark 13:5–6.

• Destructive events like these are often associated with:

  • the judgment of God (1 Samuel 14:15; Psalm 18:7–8; Isaiah 2:19, 21; 5:25; 13:13; 24:18; 29:5–6; Jeremiah 14:12; 21:6–7; Ezekiel 14:21; Amos 1:1) and

  • the end of the age (Isaiah 24:18; 29:5–6; Ezekiel 38:19; Joel 2:10; Haggai 2:6, 21; Zechariah 14:4; compare Revelation 6:12; 8:5; 11:13, 19; 16:18).

• great signs from heaven: See study note on 21:25.

they will seize you and persecute you: Jesus described the persecution his followers would experience (see also Matthew 10:17–22; Mark 13:9). Jewish writings from the time of Jesus also described a period of great hardship before God's final salvation would arrive.

deliver you to the synagogues: Jesus and his early followers were Jewish. The first conflicts were with Jews who did not accept Jesus as the Christ. The followers of Jesus were sometimes tried in the synagogues before a Jewish court (compare 2 Corinthians 11:24).

I will give you speech and wisdom: God often assured his prophets that he would give them the words to say (Exodus 4:12, 15; Deuteronomy 18:18; Isaiah 50:4; 51:16; Jeremiah 1:9). The disciples of Jesus were to prepare themselves to speak clearly as witnesses (see Colossians 4:5–6; 2 Timothy 2:21; 1 Peter 3:15). They knew that the Holy Spirit would help them respond as powerfully as Jesus had done (Luke 20:20–44).

Families in Jewish and Gentile communities have often been divided as some members follow Jesus and some reject him.

not even a hair of your head will perish: This expression means complete protection (1 Samuel 14:45; 2 Samuel 14:11; 1 Kings 1:52; Daniel 3:27). Here, it refers to the disciples' souls, because some would be killed because of their faith (Luke 21:16).

Jesus was describing the siege and destruction of Jerusalem that would take place in AD 70.

those in the city get out: Because of this prophecy, Christians in Judea fled to the town of Pella in Decapolis before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Eusebius, Church History 3.5).

these are the days of vengeance: The destruction of Jerusalem was part of God’s judgment for Israel’s rejection of the Messiah.

until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled: Daniel predicted that a series of Gentile empires (kingdoms ruled by non-Jews) would come before God’s kingdom (Daniel 2:44; 7:27).

The prophets predicted that signs in the sky would come before God's judgment at the end of time (Isaiah 13:9–10; 34:4; Jeremiah 4:23, 28; Ezekiel 32:7–8; Joel 2:10, 30–31; compare Revelation 6:13–14; 8:10; 9:1; 12:1, 3; 15:1).

All these things refer to the events described in 21:25–30.

this generation will not pass away: This saying is difficult to understand. Jesus seems to have predicted that he would come again before the first generation of his disciples died out. There are three main interpretations:

1. the reference is to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 when Jesus "came" in judgment against Israel;

2. this generation refers to a future generation alive when these signs start to happen;

3. the term generation could mean “people,” referring to the Jewish people, who will not disappear before Christ returns.

Heaven and earth will pass away: See study note on 16:17.

The main theme of this teaching is, “Watch out!” Believers must always stay alert and be ready for Christ’s return.

to stand before: This means to "pass the test" and stand approved before Jesus Christ at his second coming.