Luke 21

The widow's mites (vs. 1-4)--This short story is found in Mark 12:41-44. Here is what I wrote there: "It’s interesting that Jesus was sitting close to the treasury and observing how much people put in it. The rich “put in much” (v. 41). But here comes a poor widow who tossed in all she had—two mites. “Mites” were the smallest coin used by the Jews. Its current value cannot now be easily estimated, probably less than a penny. But, according to Jesus, she gave more than all the rich, “for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood" (v. 44). She gave the Lord everything she had, and then trusted Him to take care of her. Jesus definitely notices when we do that. Indeed, one could say it sums up what our total response to God should be." Luke really adds nothing to Mark's account so I have no further comments to make.

The destruction of the temple (vs. 5-7)--For most of the rest of the chapter we have Luke's version of Jesus' prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.; the last few verses speak of the Second Coming. This passage is parallel to Matthew 24 and I wrote three blog articles on that chapter, going into great detail as to the meaning and history behind God's temporal punishment of the Jews by the Roman armies. From 70 A.D. until the mid-20th century the Jewish people were scattered from Palestine, the land God gave to Abraham. And still to this day, most Jews live outside of Israel. If the reader wants a very full rendition of Jesus' teaching here, then I suggest you read my posts on Matthew 24.

But I will briefly summarize Luke's teaching here. Jesus announces, in verse 6, that the temple will be razed. In verse 7, He was asked when would this happen and what would the signs be leading up to it. Notice there is nothing asked, as recorded by Luke, about Christ's Second Coming; the query is totally about the destruction of the temple, i.e., Jerusalem. And that is the question Jesus answers for most of the chapter.

News of world calamities (vs. 8-11)--The Roman empire would be shaken by "wars and commotions" (v. 9), and earthquakes, famines, and "pestilences" (v. 11). There would also be some heavenly disturbances (v. 11), but we don't know what these were. False Christs would arise (v. 8), but Jesus warns "take heed that you be not deceived." These are events that will precede the coming desolation of Jerusalem.

Persecution of the disciples (vs. 12-19)--His apostles would suffer grievous persecution at the hands of unbelievers, from both Jews and Romans (v. 12). Some of this is recorded in the book of Acts and some in later historical accounts. Even their parents and near kin would betray them, and "they will put some of you to death" (v. 16). The Lord would be with them, however, and give them the message He wanted preached (v. 15). The "not a hair of your head shall be lost" (v. 18) probably has reference to eternal glory since He had just said some of them will be killed. Patience was necessary through all of what they would endure (v. 19).

Jerusalem surrounded (vs. 20-24)--Matthew and Mark spoke of an obscure "abomination of desolation;" Luke simply tells his Greek audience that Jerusalem would be "surrounded by armies." That would be the final signal for the disciples to flee the city (v. 21). Those would be "the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled" (v. 22). The destruction of Jerusalem was prophesied about in the Old Testament. Those who would have difficulty traveling (v. 23) might be caught in the melee. "Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (v. 24), i.e., until Rome had accomplished God's purpose in punishing the city and the Jewish people.

The coming judgment on Jerusalem (vs. 25-28)--This judgment is stated, by Christ, in figurative, even apocalyptic, language. And here I must reference the reader to my detail discussion of Matthew's account of this section. Because of length, I won't reproduce exactly what I wrote, but here is a link to that section which fully explains Jesus' meaning in these verses. It's extremely important due to the misconceptions so many have of this passage.   Here's the link:  Matthew 24:29-31

The parable of the fig tree (vs. 29-33)--Just as one see the "signs" of coming fruit on a fig tree, be assured, Jesus says, that when you (disciples) see the signs He's just mentioned, that Jerusalem's destruction is near. In verse 31, Jesus says that "know that the kingdom of God is near." The Greek word for "near" can either close in place or time; in this case, it probably means "place." The kingdom had been established with the church, thus the destruction of Jerusalem is one more evidence (as spoken of in the Old Testament) that the kingdom had come. Don't look for it in the future, Jesus says. It's with you, near to you, right now. Verse 33 closes with the emphatic statement that these things are going to happen because Jesus' words can never be voided or gainsaid.

The Second Coming (vs. 34-36)--While Matthew spends a lot of time on this subject, including all of chapter 25, Luke mentions it only briefly, simply because he doesn't record the apostles' question on the topic as Matthew did. Yet, in contrast to the destruction of Jerusalem, where the signs were specific, the "signs" preceding Christ's visible Second Coming are vague and indistinct. Actually, there are no signs. Always be ready. "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (v. 36).

Jesus continues to teach in the temple (vs. 37-38)--As long as He was alive, He continued to teach where He could be most effective. Since the temple was a gathering place of the Jews, it would be the best place in Jerusalem to spread His message.