Luke Chapter 21.

Luke Chapter 21.

The widow's offering.  21:1-4.   The boxes for donations, thirteen in number, were placed in the court of the women.    These verses should be joined to the previous chapter, for it stands in contrast to the Scribes, who made religion the means of getting rich.  The woman cast in her all, including her heart.  Bengal notes, that she had two tiny coins, one of which she might have kept.

           

The prediction of the destruction of the Temple.  21:5-6.   The theme of his preaching in the Temple, was judgment.  The Temple was an immense building.  Herod began its reconstruction about 20 BC.  It was completed in AD.64, some six years before its destruction.  So complete was its demolition that a visitor could see no reason to believe that the place had ever been inhabited.  (Josephus).    The impotence of the nation involved the utter destruction of the Holy Place.

           

Woes before the end.  21:7-19.   In the woes and warnings of this section Luke appears to place it in a setting preceding the destruction of Jerusalem.  They are, no doubt, typical of those things that shall precede the Parousia.  The disciples are warned against false Christs, such imposters will make use of scaremongery.  Persecution will be the lot of the disciples, but wisdom of speech will be given to them.  Many shall be put to death and they shall experience the world's hatred because of their association with the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  But if they remain steadfast then final victory shall be theirs.

           

The fate of Jerusalem.  21:20-24.   The doom of the city was certain, there was no use in taking refuge within her walls.  The Christian community generally escaped, because they took the warning to flee to the mountains.  Josephus says that 1,000,000 Jews perished.  But this was not the end, for Jerusalem was to be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  The Phrase "times of the Gentiles" is difficult and Plummer mentions 6 ways in which it can be understood.  It may refer to their Lording it over Israel, or the opportunities of turning to God.  In any case, the Parousia will not come at the same time as the destruction of Jerusalem.

           

The End.  21:25-28.   The "times of the Gentiles" are to be followed by universal distress.  Terror and perplexity shall come upon the Gentiles.  They have a fixed period in which they shall lord it over Jerusalem.  But the Parousia will culminate the judgment of the Gentiles.  But in the midst of chaos and terror, the disciples are to remain calm and hopeful.  They know the meaning of these disasters, for it is the old order breaking up for the new.  The Parousia will be:

 *   The culmination of troublesome times.

    Attended with power and glory.

  *   The redemption of the disciples.

           

The parable of the Fig Tree.  21:29-33.   As shooting forth of the leaves is an indication of the approach of summer, so the terrible experiences through which the disciples must pass, will be an indication that the consummated Kingdom of God, is at hand. (W.T.M).  The fig tree is one of the first to advertise the approach of summer.  Verse 32, may refer to the generation living when these signs are manifested.

           

The closing admonitions.  21:34-36.   See N.E.B.  The disciples must be vigilant, be on the alert, and continually pray.

           

The Lord's practice.  21:37-38.   These verses are really the preface to chapter 22.