Chapter 21

1 Christ commendeth the poor widow. 5 He foretelleth the destruction of the temple, and of the city Jerusalem: 25 the signs also which shall be before the last day. 34 He exhorteth them to be watchful.

1. He looked up. [The Widow’s Mites, Luke 21:1–4=Mark 12:41–44. Major comment: Mark.]

5. Some spake of the temple. [Signs of Christ’s Return, Luke 21:5–38=Matt. 24:1–51=Mark 13:1–37. Major comment: Matthew.]

Gifts. Probably “gifts” made to beautify the Temple, such as the golden vine of Herod at its entrance (Josephus Antiquities xv. 11. 3 cf. DA 575).

7. Shall come to pass. Literally, “are about to become [happen].”

9. By and by. Gr. eutheoµs, “immediately,” or “at once.” The English expression “by and by” formerly had this meaning, but today has precisely the opposite meaning (see on ch. 17:7). Thus Jesus actually said, “the end is not at once.”

12. Before all these. Luke here includes (vs. 12–16) a portion of the Olivet discourse not given by Matthew, probably because the latter had already reported practically the same line of thought, almost in the same words, from an earlier discourse. For comment on vs. 12–16 see on Matt. 10:17–21.

13. It shall turn to you. See on Mark 13:9.

14. Meditate. Gr. promeletaoµ, “to practice beforehand.” This probably refers to the going over of a speech beforehand in order that upon delivery the speaker might be more familiar with it. In making their defense before “kings and rulers” the disciples were not to have set speeches they could deliver by rote. For the reason back of Christ’s admonition see on Matt. 10:19, 20.

18. Not an hair. This promise is not a universal guarantee of immunity from martyrdom, for Jesus had just said that some would be put to death (see v. 16). Perhaps it means here that rulers who hale Christians into court will have no power over them except when God shall permit (see John 19:11; Acts 5:35–38). Or, Christ’s words may be intended to refer to the ultimate result rather than to the immediate prospects of this world, and mean that the rulers of earth can have no power whatever over one’s eternal welfare (see John 10:28, 29; see on Matt. 10:28, 30).

19. In your patience. Compare Matt. 24:13; Mark 13:13. The RSV reads, “By your endurance you will gain your lives,” a thought similar to that of Matt. 24:13.

20. Compassed with armies. That is, encircled by the Roman legions. For comment see on Matt. 24:2, 15–20.

Desolation thereof. The destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70 meant “the end” of the Jewish nation as such (see on Matt. 24:14, 15).

21. Countries. That is, the country in contrast with the city. “Them which are in the midst of it [Jerusalem; see v. 20]” are city residents, and “them that are in the countries,” residents of the rural districts, living in the smaller towns and villages.

22. Days of vengeance. See on Matt. 23:35, 36.

Which are written. Evidently a reference to the curses for disobedience (see Deut. 27:11–26; 28:15–68).

23. Wrath upon this people. That is, upon the Jews. See on Matt. 23:35; cf. Jer. 5:29. For a full discussion of God’s plan for Israel, and of their failure and rejection as a nation, see Vol. IV, pp. 26-30.

24. Edge of the sword. Literally, “mouth of the sword.” Obviously this refers to the bloody climax of the siege of Jerusalem in the year a.d. 70 (see pp. 70-77; see on Matt. 24:2, 15–20).

Led away captive. As Moses had predicted, if Israel would “not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book” (Deut. 28:58, 63–68). This warning had already been fulfilled previously, in the Babylonian captivity (Jer. 16:13; 40:1, 2; 52:12–16, 28–31; Dan. 1:1–3; 9:11–14; etc.). In connection with Gabriel’s explanation to Daniel concerning the eventual restoration from Babylonian captivity (see on Dan. 9:24, 25), there was also coupled a warning that repetition of the mistakes that occasioned the Babylonian captivity would result in a second destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (see on Dan. 9:26, 27). It was to this second destruction and the scattering of the Jews that Christ here refers (see on Matt. 24:15–20; cf. Luke 21:20). This situation was not to be remedied “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” For further comment see Vol. IV, pp. 30-36.

Trodden down. The semblance of autonomy the Jews enjoyed under Roman jurisdiction prior to a.d. 70 was never restored, and ever since that fateful year Jerusalem has remained largely, if not entirely, under Gentile control. As a result of the revolt under Bar Cocheba, crushed in a.d. 135, all Jews were forbidden to enter the city on pain of death. Never since that time has Jerusalem been a truly Jewish city. The Temple was never rebuilt after a.d. 70. Among others, Romans, Saracens, Norsemen, Turks, Crusaders, and Arabs have controlled the city and the former Temple area. Though recently the new State of Israel has secured control of a portion of the city, Old Jerusalem is still not a Jewish city, and the former Temple area remains in non-Jewish hands. See pp. 78, 79.

Times of the Gentiles. The time allotted the Jewish nation would soon end, and they would be God’s chosen people no more. Upon their rejection as a nation the gospel was to go to all nations (see Acts 1:8; 13:46; 18:6; 28:25–28; Rom. 1:16). For a further discussion of the role of the Jews as God’s chosen people, of their apostasy, and of the Gentiles replacing the Jews, see Vol. IV, pp. 26-36.

25. Signs. See on Matt. 24:29.

With perplexity. The Greek implies that the “perplexity” is due to “the sea and the waves roaring.” The last part of v. 25 reads literally, “and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity [at] the roaring of the sea and the waves.”

The sea. Christ here associates manifestations of the destructive forces of nature with signs in the heavens immediately preceding His return to earth in power and glory.

26. Men’s hearts …. Literally, “men expiring from fear,” or “men fainting from fear.” The latter part of the verse gives as the climactic reason for men’s hearts failing them for fear, the shaking of “the powers of heaven.” The scene here depicted takes place under the seventh plague (EW 41; GC 636). Upon this scene “the wicked look with terror and amazement” (GC 636), calling for the mountains and the rocks to fall upon them (Rev. 6:14–17).

29. All the trees. Luke informs readers unfamiliar with the fig tree that the truth thus illustrated applies to all trees, not to the fig only.

31. The kingdom of God. That is, the kingdom of glory in contrast with the kingdom of divine grace (see on Matt. 4:17; 5:2).

34. Surfeiting. Gr. kraipaleµ, “intoxication,” or “a drunken headache,” from kras, “head,” and palloµ, “to sway,” or “to toss about.” Greek medical writers used kraipaleµ in reference to the nausea and stupor following a drunken debauch.

Cares. That is, “anxieties,” “worries.”

35. Snare. See 1 Thess. 5:4; 1 Tim. 3:7; 2 Tim. 2:26.

36. Watch. Gr. agrupneoµ, “to be sleepless,” literally, “keep awake.”

Pray always. See on ch. 18:1.

Accounted worthy to escape. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 146) for reading “prevail to escape,” or “have strength to escape.”

Stand before. See on ch. 19:24. This is the supreme goal of the Christian life.

37. In the day time. A summary statement, in retrospect, upon Jesus’ activities during the first three days of the passion week (see on Matt. 23:38).

At night. Sunday and Monday nights Jesus had returned to Bethany (see on Mark 11:11, 12, 20; see also DA 581). This night, Tuesday, Jesus and the disciples probably spent on the Mount of Olives.

38. All the people. This is probably a summary statement also, comparable with that of v. 37. Jesus did not teach in the Temple after this time.

Ellen G. White comments

3 DA 615, 616; GW 467

5–38DA 627–636

12 AA 84

14, 15 AA 97

15 2T 485

16 AA 84; DA 629; PK 588; 5T 473, 691; 9T 231

16, 17 GC 28, 54, 267; SR 331

18 DA 630, 634

19 Ev 631; 2T 320, 424

20 GC 26; 5T 451, 464

20, 21 GC 30; PP 166

20–22DA 630

25 GC 37, 304

25, 26 Ev 18; 1T 268

26 EW 41; 4T 53

28 DA 632; Ev 18; GC 308; LS 272

30, 31 GC 308

31 DA 234, 634

33–36 9T 268

34 COL 55, 319; DA 234, 636; GC 309, 626; TM 238; 1T 168, 469; 2T 283; 4T 31, 309; 5T 152, 235, 259, 280, 461; 6T 410

34, 35 CT 368

34–36CW 24; PP 166; 4T 306; 5T 100

35 FE 335; 6T 129

36 DA 234, 636; GC 309, 544; ML 17; TM 508; 5T 235