Luke 21:20

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 21:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand.
Luke 21:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20But when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, etc.] The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Persic versions read, “with an army”; that is, with the Roman army, as it was by the army which Titus Vespasian brought against it, and besieged it with: then know that the desolation thereof is nigh; signifying, that there would be no deliverance to be expected, as when the Assyrian army under Rabshakeh appeared against it; but that whenever the Roman army besieged it, its destruction might be looked upon as inevitable; nor was the siege raised until it was destroyed, which was about four years after.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“by armies--encamped armies, that is, besieged: "the abomination of desolation" (meaning the Roman ensigns, as the symbols of an idolatrous, pagan, unclean power) "spoken of by Daniel the prophet" (Dan 9:27) "standing where it ought not" (Mar 13:14). "Whoso readeth [that prophecy] let him understand" (Mat 24:15). Then . . . flee, &c.--EUSEBIUS says the Christians fled to Pella, at the north extremity of Perea, being "prophetically directed"; perhaps by some prophetic intimation still more explicit than this, which still would be their chart.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The account of the destruction of Jerusalem contained in this chapter has been fully considered in the notes at Matthew 24:0. All that will be necessary here will be an explanation of a few words that did not occur in that chapter. Luke 21:9 Commotions - Insurrections. Subjects rising against their rulers. Luke 21:11 Fearful sights - See Matthew 24:7. Luke 21:12, Luke 21:13 Synagogues, and into prisons - See the notes at Mark 13:9-10. Luke 21:14 Settle it, therefore, in your hearts - Fix it firmly in your minds - so firmly as to become a settled principle - that you are always to depend on God for aid in all your trials. See Mark 13:11. Luke 21:15 A mouth - Eloquence, ability to speak as the…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:20-24 Jesus was describing the siege and destruction of Jerusalem that would take place in AD 70.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Luk 21:7, Luk 19:43; Dan 9:27; Mat 24:15; Mar 13:14 Luke 21:21”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification