Luke 21

1-4. See notes on Mark xii. 41-44.

5-36. This section closely resembles Mark’s account of our Lord’s prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives: see notes on Matt. xxiv. 1; Mark xiii. 1.

5 gifts. The “gifts,” or votive offerings in the Temple, were very numerous and valuable: see Joseph. Wars. v. 5, § 4; Ant. xv. 11, § 3.

7. And they asked Him, etc. This was after leaving the Temple: see Matt. xxiv. 3.

8. The time draweth near (is at hand). These are the words of the impostors, who imitate our Lord’s own preaching (Mark i. 15).

9 is not by and by. “Is not immediately.”

12-19. See notes on Matt. x. 17-22.

13 for a testimony. This public persecution “will turn out an opportunity for you to bear witness” (Moffatt). See note on Matt. x. 18, and cp. Phil. i. 19.

18 not a hair of your head. If you patiently trust and obey me, you shall obtain both present deliverance and eternal salvation (ver. 19).

19 possess ye your souls. Though the reading “ye shall win your lives” is accepted by R.V., there is a good deal to be said for the reading of the A.V. The MSS. are not decisive.

21 in the midst of it. That is, of Jerusalem. The “countries” are rather “country places.”

22 the days of vengeance. Cp. Isa. xxxiv. 1-8; lxiii. 1, 4, and notes.

24 into all nations. Formerly the Jews had been led captive into Chaldæa; now they were to be dispersed through the whole world. For many ages the Holy City, with apostate Israel, has been trodden down by Romans, Persians, Saracens, superstitious Christian nations, and Turks.

the times of the Gentiles. Ancient Israel has had its time (xix. 42) of merciful probation; the

Gentiles are to have theirs. As the former ends in a day of combined vengeance and redemption, so with the latter.

26 for looking after those things. Better, as R.V., “for expectation of the things,” etc.

28 your redemption. This verse is peculiar to Luke. The reference seems primarily to be to the deliverance of the Christians from persecution and peril, by the punishment of their unbelieving countrymen.

The outstanding lessons of this passage (7-28) are well summed up by J. M. E. Ross, whose three volumes on St. Luke in the Devotional Commentary are full of devout teaching and practical help. 1. Our Lord is sure that whatever opposes His kingdom is doomed (verse 6). 2. Our Lord is sure that, whatever comes, the patient, trustful soul can afford to be an optimist (esp. verse 18). 3. Our Lord is sure that, whatever happens in the welter of circumstances, personality is the thing that matters (verse 19).

29 and all the trees. A graphic touch, peculiar to Luke, and appropriate to the spring-time in which the trees were in their early foliage.

34-36. This practical exhortation is peculiar to Luke.

35 as a snare. Unexpected.

36 always. Lit., “at every season”: so R.V.

worthy . . . to stand. To stand in judgement, uncondemned.

37 abode in the mount. According to Mark xi. 11, He spent these nights at Bethany, which was on the western slope of the Mount of Olives.

some ancient authorities, and doubted by some modern editors, have preponderating evidence in their support.