Luke 21

Chap. XXI. ver. 1. And he looked up, &c.] See notes at Mark xii. 42—44.

&c.] For further notes on this chapter, see the passages of St. Matthew referred to in the margin.

— as it were great drops of blood] Drops large and thick as drops of blood. Dr. Hammond.

Luke 21:3

3. Then entered &c.] This was two days before the passover. See John xiii. 1, 29. The supper at which this happened, John xiii. 27, was prior to the passover feast, as Judas’s consultation with the chief priests is here related to have occurred before the days of unleavened bread. Dr. Whitby.

Luke 21:4

4. — the offerings of God:] The treasure designed for the use of His temple. Dr. Whitby.

5. — and captains.] Captains of the temple; meaning probably those among the priests who had the superintendence of the guards of the temple. Bp. Pearce.

Luke 21:5

5. And as some spake &c.] Respecting what follows, see further notes at Matt. xxiv.

Luke 21:9

9. — is not by and by.] Is not immediately. Bp. Pearce. St. Matthew expresses it, “is not yet,” Matt. xxiv. 6.

Luke 21:11

11. — fearful sights and great signs] Josephus has given a very particular account of the prodigies which preceded the destruction of Jerusalem. Among other things, he speaks of a flaming sword seen over the city; also of a light which for the space of half an hour shone so bright in the night about the altar and the temple, that it seemed as if it was noonday. He adds other similar prodigies, which were so generally known, that they are related by Tacitus the Roman historian. Bp. Pearce.

Luke 21:13

13. — it shall turn to you for a testimony.] The providence of God will turn all this to your advantage and

Luke 21:15

15. — I will give you a mouth and wisdom,] I will furnish you with those answers and those means of convincing your adversaries, which they shall not be able to resist. Dr. Hammond. See note at Matt. x. 19.

16. — with desire I have desired] See the margin. This is a Hebrew phrase, signifying, I have very much desired. Bp. Pearce. The reason of His anxiety may probably have been His wish to institute the ceremony of the Lord’s supper. Grotius.

Luke 21:16

16. — I will not any more eat thereof, &c.] He says to them, This is the last that I shall ever eat with you in the present world; I Myself, who am the true Paschal Lamb, being now ready to be offered for you upon the cross: and all types and shadows shall henceforth be swallowed up in the real accomplishment of the things which were typified. Dr. S. Clarke.

Luke 21:18

18. — there shall not an hair of your head perish.] When this unbelieving city shall be destroyed, ye that are faithful and endure to the end, shall be safe, Matt. x. 22: for, if it be the good pleasure of God, He can preserve you in the most imminent danger from even the smallest hurt. Bp. Mann.

Luke 21:19

19. In your patience possess ye your souls.] Persevere with constancy, and fall not off from your profession; and this will furnish the most certain means of your escaping from the general destruction. See Matt. x. 39; Mark xiii. 13. Dr. Hammond.

Q The destruction of Jerusalem foretold. The signs of Christ’s second coming. Anno DOMINI 33.

19. — this do in remembrance of me.] This is the particular charge which our Lord gave when He was going to lay down His life for us. Men commonly observe religiously the charge of a dying friend; and unless it be very difficult and unreasonable, they pay to it implicit obedience. But this is the charge of our best friend, nay, of the greatest benefactor and friend of all mankind, when He was preparing to die in our stead, and to offer up Himself a sacrifice for us. And can we deny any thing to Him who was about to do so much for us? Can we refuse to comply with this His command, so little grievous and burdensome in itself, so infinitely beneficial to us? Had such a friend, in such circumstances, bid us do some great thing, should we not have done it? How much more when He has only said, Do this in remembrance of Me; when He has only commended to us one of the most natural and delightful actions, as a fit memorial of His wonderful love to us, and His cruel sufferings for our sakes; when He has only enjoined us, in a thankful commemoration of His goodness, to meet at His table and to remember what He hath done for us, to look upon Him whom we have pierced, and to resolve to grieve and wound Him no more? Can we, without the most horrible ingratitude, neglect this dying charge of our Sovereign and our Savour, the great friend and lover of souls? a command so reasonable, so easy, so full of blessings and benefits to the faithful observers of it. Abp. Tillotson. These words, enforcing upon us the use and necessity of frequent communion, imply something far more significant than that, by celebrating the holy sacrament, we preserve a memorial of a deceased benefactor; they imply, that we thereby continue to receive His benefactions, which are conveyed to us from time to time, as often as we “shew the Lord’s death till He come.” So true is the account given of this sacred rite in the Articles of Q 2

Christ covertly foretelleth of the traitor. S. LUKE. He checketh his disciples’ ambition, and

Luke 21:20

20. — This cup is the new testament.] This cup (meaning the wine contained in it) is the memorial of the New Testament, or covenant ratified in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of your sins, Matt. xxvi. 28. Dr. Whitby. St. Luke (as also St. Paul) reports the words of our Saviour, on giving the cup, differently from St. Matthew and St. Mark, and it is probable that He spake them both; that He first said, “This is My blood,” (Matt. xxvi. 28,) and then added, as a clearer explanation, “This cup is the New Testament in My blood.” The latter was a more familiar expression to the Jews. They knew that the blood of the lamb was sprinkled, and by their so doing, they entered into a covenant with God; in remembrance of this, they drank at the passover the cup of blessing and salvation, and rejoiced before the Lord. So that they necessarily understood our Saviour, that the cup so blessed was to be to them the assurance of a New Testament or covenant, which was to be established by the blood of Christ; in the place of which, they were to drink, according to His present institution, this cup of blessing and praise. Bp. Burnet.

Luke 21:22

22. — the Son of man goeth, &c.] See note at Matt.

kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

Luke 21:24

24. — captive into all nations:] The number of those who perished at the siege and capture of Jerusalem, by sword and famine, is stated by Josephus to have been not less than 1,100,000. The number of those that were made captive was 97,000, who were subjected to every kind of cruel treatment, being either sold, or dispersed through the provinces of the Roman empire, to be torn to pieces by wild beasts. Dr. Hammond.

— until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.] The interpretations of this text have been extremely various. “Till the Gentiles have done all which God decreed that they should do;” (Bp. Pearce) or, “till the times of the Gentiles,” that is, the times appointed for their full conversion to Christianity “be fulfilled.” Abp. Newcome.

24. And there was also a strife among them, &c.] When the twelve Apostles thus unseasonably contended for superiority on the night of the paschal supper, our Lord shewed the greatest kindness in His manner of correcting their false ideas. Having observed the difference between His kingdom and worldly ones, exaltation among His followers depending on their humility, He proposes to them His own example during His intercourse with them, turns their views to future greatness in His spiritual kingdom, and enforces His gracious words by a most eminent act of humility in washing their feet, (John xiii. 1—15;) an office of condescension which He exhorts them to imitate in their general conduct towards each other. Abp. Newcome.

— the greatest.] In Christ’s kingdom. See Matt. xx. 21.

Luke 21:25

25. — signs in the sun, — the sea and the waves roaring;] See note at Matt. xxiv. 29. These are all figurative expressions, signifying, primarily, the destruction of the Jewish state.

26. — The kings of the Gentiles &c.] See note at Matt. xx. 25, 26.

— are called benefactors.] It was the vanity of many princes in those times to affect the title of Euergetes or Benefactor. Grotius.

Luke 21:27

27. And then shall they see &c.] They shall be forced to acknowledge the power and glory of Jesus, the true Messiah, when He comes to execute vengeance on them; and this remarkable manifestation of His authority and dominion shall be an apt type and representation of His future coming to final judgment. Dr. S. Clarke.

28. — I am among you as he that serveth.] Take example, He says, from Me. Ye see how far I, who am your Lord and Master, am from assuming to Myself any worldly power or greatness, and that I even behave Myself as your inferior in the offices of condescension and service. (See John xiii. 4, and 14.) Learn ye, therefore, in imitation of Me, to assist one another, and condescend to one another with all humility, meekness, and charity. Dr. S. Clarke.

Luke 21:28

28. And when these things — come &c.] When ye see all these things, that I have foretold you, begin to come

29. Ye are they &c.] By recalling to their minds the trials they had gone through with Him, and by pointing out to them their reward, ver. 29, Jesus designs further to check their vain ambition, and their fondness for worldly advantages and honours. Dean Stanhope.

— in my temptations.] In My trials and sufferings. Bp. Mann. By the Apostles continuing with Him in His temptations are undoubtedly meant the several instances of their fidelity; their adhering steadfastly to Him, notwithstanding difficulties and discouragements; their relinquishing the world for His sake; and willingly undergoing the same painful labours, the same poverty and hard fare, the same malice and persecution, the same derision and contempt which He did. Dean Stanhope.

Luke 21:29

29. — I appoint unto you a kingdom, &c.] By this

assureth Peter his faith should not fail. CHAP. XXII. His agony and prayer in the garden.

Anno DOMINI 33. B Matt. 19. 28.

Luke 21:30

30. That ye may eat and drink] Spiritual blessings are here represented by what is generally supposed to constitute earthly happiness. Bp. Pearce.

— sit on thrones] See note at Matt. xix. 28.

Luke 21:31

31. — Satan hath desired to have you.] This relates to all the Apostles, as “you” is in the plural number. There is now, He says, immediately coming upon you, My Apostles and followers, a time of very great affliction and extreme distress; in which Satan will strongly tempt you all, on the occasion of My agony and approaching death, to forsake and deny Me. Dr. S. Clarke.

— that he may sift you as wheat:] That he may toss and shake you with temptations, as wheat is shaken in the sieve. Dr. Whitby.

Luke 21:32

32. But I have prayed &c.] But I have prayed for thee, Simon, in particular, that God would deliver thee from that great temptation into which thou especially wilt fall: and, when thou hast escaped thyself, remember and use thy utmost endeavours to comfort, encourage, and strengthen thy brethren. Dr. S. Clarke.

Luke 21:34

34, 35. And take heed to yourselves, &c.] Our Saviour here exhorts the believing Christians to use the greatest vigilance, lest they should miscarry in that dreadful season, by indulging in luxurious excesses, which might render them unmindful of it, or by too great concern for their temporal interests. He exhorts them also to add to this vigilance constant prayer to God, that they might be found worthy to escape these tremendous judgments, and might stand safely and boldly before the Son of man, when He comes to execute them on the unbelieving Jews. Hence it is to be observed, that the promise of deliverance to the Christians, at that time, was only conditional; depending on the care they took to avoid sin, and to display those Christian virtues and graces, by which they would be rendered worthy to escape the impending judgments. And from this we should draw the general inference, that there must be a concurrence of human endeavours with the Divine assistance, and providence, for our protection; and that we must never expect deliverance at the hands of God, without a due use of those means, which He has given us for the purpose of effecting it. Dr. Whitby.

Anno DOMINI 33. The Jews conspire against Christ. CHAP. XXII. The apostles sent to prepare the passover. Anno DOMINI 23. ear, 64 he is thrice denied of Peter, 63 shamefully abused, 66 and confesseth himself to be the Son of God. a Matt. 24. 2. NOW a the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

Luke 21:36

36. — he that hath no sword,] He warns them, generally, that the time of danger and distress was now approaching, and that due care must prudently be taken to provide against it. Bp. Mann.

Luke 21:37

37. — this that is written &c.] Whatever is prophe-

Luke 21:38

38. — Lord, behold, here are two swords.] The disciples, understanding their Master to mean literally that they should arm themselves for their defence, said to Him, “Here are two swords:” but Jesus, who really meant only to signify to them the greatness of their approaching distress and temptations, and to warn them against surprise, replied, “It is enough;” ye need not trouble yourselves for any more weapons of this nature for your defence. Dr. S. Clarke.

— It is enough.] This He said, as no use was to be made of them. Bp. Pearce.

Luke 21:40

40. — at the place,] The garden of Gethsemane.

Luke 21:41

41. — kneeled down,] This marked the greater earnestness: the Jews usually stood when they prayed. Grotine.

Luke 21:44

44. And being in an agony] What was it, what could it be, that lay thus heavy on the soul of the Saviour of the world? Was it the fear of death? Was it the pain, shame, and torment, felt beforehand, of His ensuing crucifixion? Such a thought were poor and base: thousands of His blessed martyrs have welcomed tortures, not less than His, with smiles and gratulations. If their weakness was thus prevalent and undaunted, how great must have been his strength! No, it was the sad weight of the sins of mankind, it was the heavy burden of His Father’s wrath for those sins, which thus pressed down His soul, and wrung from Him these bitter expressions of sorrow. If every human sin deserve eternal death, what was it for His soul, in this short time of His bitter passion, to answer those millions of eternal deaths, which all the sins of all mankind had deserved! Dr. Hales.

Our Saviour was to undergo not only the utmost load that human malice could impose, of ignominious disgrace and grievous pain, but was to feel dismal agonies

Christ is betrayed. Peter’s denial of Christ,

Anno DOMINI 33. was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Luke 21:45

45. — for sorrow.] Their great sorrow had dispirited them, and rendered them sleepy. Dr. Whitby.

Luke 21:48

48. — betrayest thou &c.] Canst thou thus basely and ungratefully betray Me with a treacherous token of peace and friendship? Dr. S. Clarke. Our Lord bestows on Judas no upbraiding appellation; but simply declares His knowledge, that this seeming token of affection was used for the purpose of marking Him out to those whom His relentless enemies sent to apprehend Him. Abp. Newcome.

Luke 21:50

50. — one of them] St. Peter. See note at Matt. xxvi. 51.

Luke 21:51

51. — Suffer ye thus far.] Jesus seems to have addressed this to the soldiers who came to apprehend Him; ‘Excuse this injury done by one of My Apostles, which I will presently repair:’ for it is related, immediately after, that He healed him. He seems to have intended to shew by this action, that He who had power thus miraculously to heal, must have been taken willingly, and not for want of power to preserve Himself. Dr. Whitby.

Luke 21:52

52. — captains of the temple.] See note at ver. 4.

Luke 21:53

53. — but this is your hour, &c.] He says this, with some allusion to the hour of the night; the season most favourable to deeds of darkness. This is the time in which it is permitted to you to exercise your malice, and execute your bloody designs against Me; and in which Satan is permitted to assail Me with the most furious temptations. Dr. Whitby.

Luke 21:55

55. — when they had kindled a fire] See the note at John xviii. 18.

Luke 21:61

61. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter.] What effect that look must have had on the heart and on the countenance of St. Peter, every one may perhaps