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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 21:20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/21-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/42_Luk_21_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 21:20 - The Destruction of Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/21-19.htm" title="Luke 21:19">◄</a> Luke 21:20 <a href="/luke/21-21.htm" title="Luke 21:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/luke/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/luke/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And when you see Jerusalem being encircled by encampments, then know that her desolation has drawn near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her complete destruction is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation has come near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation has come near. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When you see Jerusalem surrounded by soldiers, you will know that it will soon be destroyed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"When you see armies camped around Jerusalem, realize that the time is near for it to be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that it will soon be destroyed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then understand that its devastation is approaching. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that its desolation is nigh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"But when you see Jerusalem with armies encamping round her on every side, then be certain that her overthrow is close at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And when you may see Jerusalem surrounded by encampments, then know that her desolation has come near;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And when you see Jerusalem being encircled by encampments, then know that her desolation has drawn near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And when ye may see Jerusalem surrounded by encampments, then know that come nigh did her desolation;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And when ye see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its devastation has drawn near.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed about with an army; then know that the desolation thereof is at hand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then, when you will have seen Jerusalem encircled by an army, know then that its desolation has drawn near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by an army, then know that its destruction is at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/21.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But whenever you will see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, know then that its destruction has come near to it.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/21.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But when you shall see Jerusalem besieged by armies, then know that its desolation is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/21.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And when you may see Jerusalem shut up by the armies, then know that her desolation is nigh.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/21.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But when ye see Jerusalem, encircled with armies, then know that the desolation of it approaches.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/21.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Now when you shall see Jerusalem invested by an army, then be assured that the desolation of it is nigh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"But when you see Jerusalem with armies encamping round her on every side, then be certain that her overthrow is close at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/21.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>"But when ye see Jerusalem encompassed by armies, then know that her desolation has drawn near.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/21.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And when ye shall see Jerusalem surrounded with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh: then let them <Fr><i>that are</i><FR> in Judea flee to the mountains,<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/21-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=8329" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/21.htm">The Destruction of Jerusalem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19</span>By your patient endurance you will gain your souls. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3752.htm" title="3752: Hotan (Conj) -- When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.">when</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: idēte (V-ASA-2P) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">you see</a> <a href="/greek/2419.htm" title="2419: Ierousalēm (N-AFS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine.">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/greek/2944.htm" title="2944: kykloumenēn (V-PPM/P-AFS) -- To encircle, besiege, surround. From the same as kukloi; to encircle, i.e. Surround.">surrounded</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">by</a> <a href="/greek/4760.htm" title="4760: stratopedōn (N-GNP) -- An encamped army. From the base of stratia and the same as pedinos; a camping-ground, i.e. a body of troops.">armies,</a> <a href="/greek/5119.htm" title="5119: tote (Adv) -- Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that."></a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: gnōte (V-AMA-2P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">you will know</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēs (PPro-GF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">her</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2050.htm" title="2050: erēmōsis (N-NFS) -- A desolation, devastation. From eremoo; despoliation.">desolation</a> <a href="/greek/1448.htm" title="1448: ēngiken (V-RIA-3S) -- Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.">is near.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">21</span>Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-15.htm">Matthew 24:15-16</a></span><br />So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-14.htm">Mark 13:14</a></span><br />So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-26.htm">Daniel 9:26-27</a></span><br />Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. / And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/11-31.htm">Daniel 11:31</a></span><br />His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/12-11.htm">Daniel 12:11</a></span><br />And from the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation set up, there will be 1,290 days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/14-2.htm">Zechariah 14:2</a></span><br />For I will gather all the nations for battle against Jerusalem, and the city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women ravished. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/11-2.htm">Revelation 11:2</a></span><br />But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-16.htm">Revelation 17:16</a></span><br />And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-6.htm">Jeremiah 6:6</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/21-4.htm">Jeremiah 21:4-10</a></span><br />this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will turn against you the weapons of war in your hands, with which you are fighting the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the wall, and I will assemble their forces in the center of this city. / And I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, with anger, fury, and great wrath. / I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1-3</a></span><br />“Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem. / Then lay siege against it: Construct a siege wall, build a ramp to it, set up camps against it, and place battering rams around it on all sides. / Then take an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between yourself and the city. Turn your face toward it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/5-1.htm">Ezekiel 5:1-2</a></span><br />“As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword, use it as a barber’s razor, and shave your head and beard. Then take a set of scales and divide the hair. / When the days of the siege have ended, you are to burn up a third of the hair inside the city; you are also to take a third and slash it with the sword all around the city; and you are to scatter a third to the wind. For I will unleash a sword behind them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-2.htm">Ezekiel 7:2-12</a></span><br />“O son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says to the land of Israel: ‘The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land. / The end is now upon you, and I will unleash My anger against you. I will judge you according to your ways and repay you for all your abominations. / I will not look on you with pity, nor will I spare you, but I will punish you for your ways and for the abominations among you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-3.htm">Isaiah 29:3</a></span><br />I will camp in a circle around you; I will besiege you with towers and set up siege works against you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-18.htm">Isaiah 63:18</a></span><br />For a short while Your people possessed Your holy place, but our enemies have trampled Your sanctuary.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is near.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/21-7.htm">Luke 21:7</a></b></br> And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign <i>will there be</i> when these things shall come to pass?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/19-43.htm">Luke 19:43</a></b></br> For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/9-27.htm">Daniel 9:27</a></b></br> And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make <i>it</i> desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/22-7.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/luke/21-8.htm">Close</a> <a href="/jonah/2-5.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/luke/11-17.htm">Desolation</a> <a href="/luke/21-18.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/luke/21-8.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/psalms/53-5.htm">Encamping</a> <a href="/ezekiel/25-4.htm">Encampments</a> <a href="/jonah/2-5.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/luke/21-8.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-5.htm">Overthrow</a> <a href="/luke/19-44.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/luke/19-43.htm">Round</a> <a href="/luke/19-43.htm">Side</a> <a href="/jonah/2-5.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/luke/19-33.htm">Thereof</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/9-29.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Close</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-2.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/exodus/23-29.htm">Desolation</a> <a href="/john/2-19.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/john/2-9.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/exodus/14-9.htm">Encamping</a> <a href="/genesis/25-16.htm">Encampments</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-30.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/luke/21-30.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/luke/21-24.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/luke/21-28.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/acts/5-39.htm">Overthrow</a> <a href="/luke/21-31.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/luke/22-55.htm">Round</a> <a href="/luke/23-33.htm">Side</a> <a href="/john/5-2.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/luke/22-16.htm">Thereof</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/21-1.htm">Jesus commends the poor widow.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/21-5.htm">He foretells the destruction of the temple, and of the city Jerusalem;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/21-25.htm">the signs also which shall be before the last day.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/21-34.htm">He exhorts them to be watchful.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies</b><br>This phrase refers to a specific prophetic event concerning the city of Jerusalem. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Roman armies, led by General Titus, besieged Jerusalem. The city was surrounded as part of the Roman campaign to quell the Jewish rebellion. This event is a pivotal moment in Jewish history, marking the destruction of the Second Temple. Theologically, this serves as a warning to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and a sign for believers to recognize the impending judgment. The surrounding of Jerusalem by armies is also a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as those found in <a href="/daniel/9-26.htm">Daniel 9:26-27</a>, which speak of destruction coming upon the city.<p><b>you will know that her desolation is near</b><br>The term "desolation" indicates a state of utter destruction and abandonment. In the context of Jerusalem, it refers to the complete devastation that would occur as a result of the Roman siege. This desolation was not only physical but also spiritual, as the Temple, the center of Jewish worship, was destroyed. The phrase echoes the warnings given by Jesus earlier in the Gospels, where He speaks of the coming judgment upon Jerusalem due to its rejection of Him as the Messiah (<a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-44</a>). The desolation is also reminiscent of the "abomination of desolation" mentioned in <a href="/daniel/11-31.htm">Daniel 11:31 and 12</a>:11, which is a type of ultimate desecration. This serves as a typological foreshadowing of future events in eschatological teachings, where similar patterns of judgment and redemption are expected.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this prophecy, providing a warning to His disciples about future events concerning Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The central city in this prophecy, significant in Jewish history and the site of the Temple.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/armies.htm">Armies</a></b><br>Refers to the military forces that would surround Jerusalem, historically fulfilled by the Roman legions.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/desolation.htm">Desolation</a></b><br>The state of devastation or destruction that would come upon Jerusalem, indicating a significant and tragic event.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>The immediate audience of Jesus' prophecy, representing all believers who are to heed His warnings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/prophetic_fulfillment.htm">Prophetic Fulfillment</a></b><br>Recognize the historical fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy in A.D. 70 when the Romans besieged and destroyed Jerusalem. This serves as a testament to the accuracy and reliability of biblical prophecy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_vigilance.htm">Spiritual Vigilance</a></b><br>Just as the disciples were warned to be observant of the signs, Christians today are called to be spiritually vigilant and discerning of the times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Understand that even in times of desolation and judgment, God's sovereign plan is at work. Believers can trust in His ultimate purpose and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The desolation of Jerusalem serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. It is a call for personal and communal repentance and a return to faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_restoration.htm">Hope in Restoration</a></b><br>While the prophecy speaks of destruction, it also points to the hope of restoration and redemption through Christ, encouraging believers to look forward to the ultimate restoration of all things.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_luke_21_20-24_written_post-event.htm">In Luke 21:20–24, was Jesus prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem before it happened, or was this written after the fact? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_were_the_roman-jewish_wars_about.htm">What were the Roman-Jewish Wars about?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_partial_preterism.htm">What defines Partial Preterism in eschatology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_mark_13_30_with_time_passed.htm">In Mark 13:30, Jesus says “this generation shall not pass” before these events happen; how do we reconcile this statement with the centuries that have passed? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20-24) <span class= "bld">When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies.</span>--See Notes on <a href="/context/matthew/23-15.htm" title="Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.">Matthew 23:15-21</a>; <a href="/context/mark/13-14.htm" title="But when you shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that reads understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:">Mark 13:14-19</a>. This is St. Luke's equivalent, possibly chosen as more intelligible for his Gentile readers, for "the abomination of desolation," which we find in St. Matthew and St. Mark. As far as it goes, it favours the view that he and others saw the "abomination" in the presence of the invading armies. On the other hand, it is possible, accepting, as we must accept, the thought of a substituted phrase, that we have one which, while it gives a partial explanation, fails to exhaust the meaning of the darker and more mysterious phrase. The occurrence of the word "desolation" in the latter clause of the verse, obviously favours the hypothesis now suggested.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 20-24.</span> - <span class="accented">The</span> <span class="accented">true</span> signs <span class="accented">which his people are to be on the watch for.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh</span>. This is to be the sign that the end has come for temple, city, and people. Wars and rumors of wars, physical portents, famine and pestilence succeeding each other with a terrible persistence, all these will, in the forthcoming years, terrify and perplex men's minds, presages of something which seems impending. But his people are to bear in mind that these were not the immediate signs of the awful ruin he was foretelling. But when the holy city was invested, when hostile armies were encamped about her - then this would surely come to pass, and some of these very bystanders would behold it - then, and not till then, let his people take alarm. Let them at once and at all cost flee from temple and city, for there would be no deliverance, God had left his house, given up the chosen people. "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles" (ver. 24). It is probable that these solemn words of the Master, becoming, as they did, at a comparatively early date, the property of the Church, saved the Christian congregations in Palestine from the fate which overtook the Jewish nation in the last great war. Clearly warned by Jesus that the gathering of the Roman armies in the neighborhood of Jerusalem was the unmistakable sign of the end of the Jewish polity, the Christian congregations fled to Pella beyond Jordan. The Jews never ceased to the last trusting that deliverance from on high would be vouchsafed to the holy city and temple. The Christians were warned by the words of the Founder of their faith - words spoken nigh forty years before the siege - that the time of mercy was hopelessly past. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/21-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when</span><br /><span class="grk">Ὅταν</span> <span class="translit">(Hotan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3752.htm">Strong's 3752: </a> </span><span class="str2">When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you see</span><br /><span class="grk">ἴδητε</span> <span class="translit">(idēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jerusalem</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰερουσαλήμ</span> <span class="translit">(Ierousalēm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2419.htm">Strong's 2419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">surrounded</span><br /><span class="grk">κυκλουμένην</span> <span class="translit">(kykloumenēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2944.htm">Strong's 2944: </a> </span><span class="str2">To encircle, besiege, surround. From the same as kukloi; to encircle, i.e. Surround.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑπὸ</span> <span class="translit">(hypo)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">armies,</span><br /><span class="grk">στρατοπέδων</span> <span class="translit">(stratopedōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4760.htm">Strong's 4760: </a> </span><span class="str2">An encamped army. From the base of stratia and the same as pedinos; a camping-ground, i.e. a body of troops.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will know</span><br /><span class="grk">γνῶτε</span> <span class="translit">(gnōte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῆς</span> <span class="translit">(autēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">desolation</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐρήμωσις</span> <span class="translit">(erēmōsis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2050.htm">Strong's 2050: </a> </span><span class="str2">A desolation, devastation. From eremoo; despoliation.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is near.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἤγγικεν</span> <span class="translit">(ēngiken)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1448.htm">Strong's 1448: </a> </span><span class="str2">Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/21-20.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 21:20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/21-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 21:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 21:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/21-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 21:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 21:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>