Lucas 21
Marvin Vincent · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 21
Vincent says: “In the Hebrew (Hab. 2:3), the subject of the sentence is the vision of the extermination of the Chaldees (Babylonians). ‘The vision—will surely come.’ As rendered in the LXX either Jehovah or Messiah must be the subject. The passage was referred to Messiah by the later Jewish theologians, and is so taken by our writer (of Hebrews).” The disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus, “Art thou He that should come or look we for another?” The expression “He that should come” is Jewish and refers to Messiah. Near (1451) (eggus) is an adverb which means near (or close) and can describe a physical position relatively close to another position (Lk 19:11) or also a temporal position of one point of time relatively close to another point of time (Mt 26:18 - referring to His Crucifixion). In context the emphasis is primarily on near in time. Joel uses eggus 3x to describe the Day of the LORD as near (Joel 1:15+, Joel 2:1+, Joel 3:14+, cp Ezek 30:3). In fact the events Jesus is describing here in Luke 21:25-38 are part of the Day of the LORD! If that "Day" was near when Joel wrote (835 BC), it is that much nearer in our day. The point is that we are to live our lives as if Jesus could return today. Our life motto should be "Perhaps Today!" Might that put a damper on those temptations to commit that sin that so easily entangles us? If we are looking for Him, we are more likely to be living for Him! See discussion of "Vertical Vision" Matthew's version uses the adjective near (eggus) with the phrase at the door which serves to doubly emphasize nearness of the Kingdom. It does not tell us how near in time. James uses the phrase to alert believers that "the Judge is standing right at the door." (James 5:9) In context the idea is that the return of Jesus is always imminent, but it does not tell us how close it is. Hiebert notes that more literally the Greek (of at the door) reads "upon the doors (plural)" where "upon" "pictures the subject so near as in fact already located on the doorstep." Related Resources Can the return of Christ truly be said to be imminent? Is Jesus coming soon? How are we to live our lives in light of Christ's return? What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming? Is it possible to know when Jesus is coming back? What is the blessed hope? Luke 21:32 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. KJV Luke 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Luke 11:50,51; Mt 16:28; 23:36; 24:34; Mark 13:30 Luke 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 21:25-38 On Guard! He’s Coming! - Steven Cole Luke 21:29-33 The Final Generation of the Future Judgment - John MacArthur Parallel passages: Matthew 24:34-note “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Mark 13:30 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Note: Most of this discussion is taken from the more in depth discussion of Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place - To which generation is Jesus referring? This is discussed in more detail below because one of the possible meanings of this generation is used by preterists to justify interpretation Mt 24:15-22 (and Mt 24:23-29) as past history! Truly (281)(amen is a transliteration of the Hebrew noun amen [= (0543) amen] and then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. Amen has been called the best-known word in human speech. Every use of "amen" or "truly" by Jesus serves to affirm what follows and by extension to cause us to pay close attention to the teaching.
Lucas 21
Vincent says is "a graphic present tense." They were continually putting (casting) coins in the jars which would produce more noise than a gentle dropping of the coins into the jars. As we have learned many of the Jews relished showing off their "religiosity." Gifts (1435)(doron) is that which is given or granted and stresses the gratuitous character of the gift. Anything given or bestowed. A gift is something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation. Something presented as an act of worship and/or devotion (Mt 2:11). Doron is used of offerings to God except in Eph 2:8 and Rev 11:10. In classical Greek doron referred to a votive (expressing a vow, wish or desire) gift or offering to a god (little g) or a gift from the gods, as well as a present given as a tribute or even as a bribe. Of the 166+ uses of doron in the non-apocryphal Septuagint, most are used in the context of an offering to God (cf Ge 4:4, Lev 1:2, 3, 10, 2:1, Nu 5:15, Dt 12:11, 1Chr 16:29, Jer 33:11, etc) Treasury (1049)(gazophulakion from gaza = treasure + phulake = a place where something is guarded) means place of deposit for the public treasure. It is translated "treasury" in all the NT uses (Mk. 12:41; Mk. 12:43; Lk. 21:1; Jn. 8:20).
Lucas 21
Vincent explains theoreo meant "more than simple seeing. The verb means looking steadfastly, as one who has an interest in the object, and with a view to search into and understand it: to look inquiringly and intently. (And even with a sense of amazement.) The present tense pictures them continually staring at the site! Days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another - Jesus begins His prophecy regarding the magnificent Temple complex. As discussed below, the days that will come predict the destruction of the Temple by the Roman General Titus in 70 AD. Jesus did not set a date but gave a definitive decree of destruction which was fulfilled perfectly. In fairness, it should be noted that some writers consider Jesus' statement a hyperbolic statement (figure of speech) because the Western Wall stones remained intact. But if one focuses on the Temple and the buildings and walls of that complex, there was not left one stone upon another. The destruction was so complete that today there is true difficulty learning the actual site of the original Temple. John
Lucas 21
Vincent adds this is a paronomasia or combination of like-sounding words. Famines (3042)(limos from leipo = to fall short, be destitute or be in need) can refer to a literal hunger or famine, and in a metaphoric sense one’s mind might be said to be “hungry, starved.” Famines will be part of the end times scenario according to Jesus (Mt 24:7-note, Mk 13:8, Lk 21:11). Famine forced Jacob to take his family to Egypt where he met his lost son Joseph (Acts 7:11, cf Ge 50:20). In Romans 8 Paul assures believers that nothing, including famine "can separate us from the love of Christ." (Ro 8:35-note). John writes about the famine in the end times stating that "Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth." (Rev 6:8-note). In the last NT use of limos, John describes the destruction of Babylon, writing "For this reason (see Rev 18:7) in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong." (Rev 18:8-note) Weber - Famine was foretold in the Pentateuch as a sign of God’s judgment for covenant disobedience (Lev. 26:18-note, Lev 20:26–27-note; Dt. 28:23–24, 38–42, 47–48, 53–57). (Holman New Testament Commentary) TERRORS AND SIGNS FROM HEAVEN And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven - (NAS Marginal note on "great signs" = "attesting miracles") Note that the parallel passages in Matthew (Mt 24:7) and Mark (Mk 13:8) do not have this phrase. Considering that the signs come from heaven, it seems that the world will have some sense that they are coming from God. Whatever these are it is clear from the use of the Greek word phobetron that the people will be horrified. Terrors (5400)(phobetron from phobeo = to terrify or frighten) means a terrible sight, a horror, something that inspires terror, a fearful event. Liddell-Scott says this word was used of a scarecrow! The only other use is in the Lxx of Isaiah 19:17 in Isaiah’s prophecy of the “terror” that Judah would become to Egypt. Vincent - Not confined to sights, but fearful things. Rev., better, terrors. Used in medical language by Hippocrates, of fearful objects imagined by the sick. Gilbrant - According to Louw and Nida, phobētron refers to the “object, event, or condition which causes fear” (Greek-English Lexicon, 1:317). In comparison, phobos is seen as a state of distress or the occasion or source of fear, and phoberos refers to something or someone who causes the fear (ibid., 1:316).. NLT paraphrases it "There will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven." Stein comments that "Reference to such signs is frequently made in eschatological/apocalyptic literature. (cf. Isa 13:9–10, 13-note; Ezek 32:5–8; Joel 2:10, 30–31-note; Amos 8:9; Rev 6:12–14) Such descriptions may be used to describe historical events in the future such as the destruction of Babylon (Isaiah), the destruction of Pharaoh’s army (Ezekiel), the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost (Joel), and the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Amos). Thus the description of “these things” given in these verses is best understood as referring to the destruction of Jerusalem (BUT SEE MACARTHUR'S COMMENTS BELOW). According to Josephus (Wars 6.5.3–4 (6.288–315), such signs occurred before Jerusalem’s destruction. (New American Commentary – Volume 24: Luke) Signs (4592)(semeion akin to semaino = to give a sign; sema = a sign) is a distinguishing mark by which something is known, an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else. John MacArthur describes the terrors and great signs from heaven - Where does all our weather come from? It comes from heaven. Has weather been a blessing? Sure. Has it been a curse? Of course it's been a curse. Heat in drought, scorching, parching the hungry and the thirsty and leaving them dead, storms that come, bring so much water that they drown whole civilizations, whole cities. Even the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius goes up into the air and deposits gas coming down out of the air and asphyxiates the whole of Pompeii. Hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, snow, flood. Revelation 6:12-note, "I looked when he broke the sixth seal and there was a great earthquake and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair (goatskin)." Black means the sun goes out. The moon becomes like blood, dark as well. In the future there will be a great earthquake and the sun will go out and the moon as well, for it’s reflected light from the sun. “The stars of the sky fell to the earth as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind and the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up. And every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They said to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us.’” As long as you're falling, fall on us “’and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb’ for the great day of the wrath has come and who is able to stand?" (Rev 6:13-17-note) The future, time of the tribulation, massive changes in the heavens above. Look at Rev 8:3-13-note, 3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. 6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them. 7 The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. 8 The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, 9 and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. 11 The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter. 12 The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.” You know what that means. All the tides are thrown off. Day and night is thrown off. All the crops are thrown off. Things can't grow. Life is total chaos. "And I looked and heard an eagle flying in mid-heaven saying with a loud voice, 'Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.’" (Rev 8:13) If it's that bad with the first four, what in the world is going to happen with the final three? (The World in Conflict and Distress) Luke 21:12 "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake KJV Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. NLT Luke 21:12 "But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. But before all these things Lk 11:49-51; Mt 10:16-25; 22:6; 23:34-36; Mt 24:9-10; Mk 13:9-13; Jn 15:20, 16:2,3; Acts 4:3-7; Acts 5:17-19,40; Acts 6:12-15; Acts 7:57-60; Acts 8:3; Acts 9:4; Acts 12:1-4; Acts 16:22-26; Acts 21:30,31; Acts 22:30; Acts 24:1-9; Acts 25:1,2,11,12,22-25; Acts 26:2-11; 1 Th 2:15,16; 1 Pe 4:12-14; Rev 2:10 for My name's sake 1 Peter 2:13 Luke 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 21:5-24 Staying Sane When the Whole World Goes Crazy - Steven Cole Luke 21:12-19 The Persecution and Endurance of Christians, Part 1 - John MacArthur Luke 21:12-19 The Persecution and Endurance of Christians, Part 2 - John MacArthur JEWISH PERSECUTION OF CHRIST FOLLOWERS But before all these things - This is not only a contrast (but), but also an expression of time! This begs the question -- before what things?These things refers to what Jesus has just warned the disciples would precede the end. In other words while in the previous section (Luke 21:6-11) Jesus referred to things that will occur in the time between His first and second comings and before the end, in this next section (Luke 21:12-19) He warned of persecution of believers that would happen before these other things. The book of Acts is filled with descriptions of the persecution of the disciples. Darrell Bock - Jesus has already noted that false claims, social upheaval, and cosmic signs do not signal the coming of the end (21:7–11). He now describes something that precedes these “non-end” events: persecution. He seems to make the point that persecution is the church’s short-term destiny. Only Luke has a temporal note, which helps to organize Jesus’ reply and clarify the relationship between events. (BECNT-Luke) Guzik emphasizes that although these things will go on until the end of this age, they also went on prior to the destruction of the Temple in 70 A D - All these things preceded the destruction of Jerusalem. Were there wars? The Romans were frequently at war with the Jews, the Samaritans, the Syrians, and others during this period. Were there earthquakes? Historians tell us of great earthquakes in the Roman Empire before Jerusalem was destroyed. Were there famines? Acts 11:28 tells of one in this period. Were there fearful sights? Pompeii blew its top just seven years before Jerusalem was destroyed. Were there signs in the heavens? Not long before Jerusalem was destroyed, a comet that looked like a sword hung over the city by night for a year. They will lay their hands on you and will persecute you - Who is they? Observe the context. This clearly refers to Jews (cf synagogues) who would persecute the Jewish disciples. Jews persecuting Jews! Did these things happen? Absolutely. The greatest example was Jewish persecution of the greatest Jew, Jesus! The book of Acts chronicles the persecution (by both Jews and later by Gentiles) of the Jewish followers of Jesus - see Acts 4:3-7; Acts 5:17-19,40; Acts 6:12-15; Acts 7:57-60; Acts 8:3; Acts 21:30,31; Acts 22:30; Acts 24:1-9; Acts 25:1,2,11,12,22-25; Acts 26:2-11 Luke recorded several events where hands were laid on the disciples (or apostles, including Paul)... Acts 4:3; And they (JEWS) laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. Acts 5:18 They (JEWS) laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king (GENTILE) laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. Acts 21:27 When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him (PAUL). Will persecute (1377)(dioko from dío = pursue, prosecute, persecute) means to follow or press hard after, literally to pursue as one does a fleeing enemy. It means to chase, harass, vex and pressure and was used for chasing down criminals. Dioko speaks of an intensity of effort leading to a pursue with earnestness and diligence in order to obtain. In the Upper Room Discourse before His Crucifixion Jesus had plainly promised "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (Jn 15:20) And beloved this "promise" still holds for all of the followers of Jesus! So do not be surprised when you are persecuted. Just make sure it is because of His Name's sake, not because of some fleshly reaction, etc. Jesus had given a similar prediction in Luke 11:49-note “For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute (dioko), Hopefully the disciples also remembered Jesus' wonderful promises in His Sermon on the Mount where He actually used the verb "persecute" (dioko) three times in three verses... Matthew 5:10 “Blessed (makarios = fully satisfied independent of the circumstances) are those who have been persecuted (dioko) for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute (dioko) you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice (present imperative) and be glad ("jump for joy" - command in present imperative), for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they (JEWS) persecuted (dioko) the prophets who were before you. Paul wrote that followers of Jesus are commanded to "Bless (present imperative - only way to habitually obey this unnatural" command is by relying on the supernatural power of the indwelling Spirit of Jesus - cf Stephen's reaction as the stones were falling on him - Acts 7:60! How could he say that? See Acts 7:55! There is NO other way!) those who persecute (dioko) you; Bless (present imperative - IN CASE YOU MISSED THE FIRST COMMAND!) and do not curse (present imperative with a negative).(Ro 12:14) Delivering you to the synagogues and prisons - NLT has a vivid paraphrase = "You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons." Mark 13:9 adds "to the courts" the word sunedrion (literally a sitting together and thus a council) was the Jewish Sanhedrin, which were local courts modeled after the one in Jerusalem.