Jesus said, "All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
Lk 21:5-19
The announcement of the destruction of the Temple is the last discourse of Jesus in Luke. It is also the moment when Jesus prophesied about the tribulations that will herald the end of time and his return in glory. The language that Jesus uses is the apocalyptic language of the time.
In Luke Jesus speaks to the people in the Temple. He distinguishes the announcement of the end of time from the events that will precede it (the persecution of the disciples and the destruction of Jerusalem). He concludes by exhorting the people to perseverance (endurance) and vigilance.
v. 5 - While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings…
Construction of the Temple began in 19BC by Herod the Great. It was a whole new Temple at the time of Jesus. Votive offerings were either for construction or for decoration.
v. 6 - All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.
Numerous prophets of old had announced the destruction of the first Temple (Jer 7:1-15; 26:1-19) because the people had broken their covenant with Yahweh. Jesus now announces the destruction of the second Temple because the people have refused God’s invitation made through him (Mt 26:61).
v. 7 - Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
In Lk and Mk the question is about the date and the sign of the destruction of the Temple. In Mt it is not only the date and the sign of the destruction of the Temple but also of the Parousia (second coming of Jesus) and the end of time.
The response of Jesus is about the date of the Parousia and the end of time which is different from the destruction of the Temple.
v. 8 - He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them!"
The verb deceive may also be translated as “seduced” or “lead into error”. In Hebrew apocalyptic literature it refers to messianic, diabolical, political and doctrinal error.
“I am he.” The false Messiah is he who give to himself the role and authority of Jesus.
“The time has come.” For Luke the teachers of error announce the nearness of the end of time.
v. 9 - When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end."
Luke may be thinking of the military and political upheaval that accompanied the suicide of Nero in 68 when there arose four claimants to the throne.
Wars and insurrection do not mark the end of time.
v. 10 - Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”
These are signs that will mark the end. But before these signs occur persecution of the disciples will take place (v. 12).
Wars are apocalyptic themes (Is 19:2; 2 Chron 15:6).
v. 11 - There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
In 79 Vesuvius erupted, causing earthquakes.
The sky will also bring awesome terrifying sights (Lk 21:25-26).
v. 12 - "Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.”
Just as Christ had to endure suffering in order to enter into his glory so also the disciples have to pass victoriously through the test – persecution, which will lead to the final phase, the end of time.
Local synagogues had small Sanhedrins which became important after the fall of Jerusalem.
Being led before kings and governors – Acts 25:13 – 26:32.
v. 13 - It will lead to your giving testimony.
Giving testimony is the essential function of the Twelve (Lk 24:48); of Stephen (Acts 22:20); of Paul (Acts 22:15).
It consists in proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus and his Lordship. The Greek word for testimony is the origin of our word for “martyr”.
v. 19 - By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
Perseverance and endurance (Lk 8:15) refers to facing the dangers which threatens the Word of God. It frequently used by Paul (1Thess 1:3; Rom 2:7).
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