The Gospel Of Luke
Chapter 21
(V1-2) Jesus see us when we give. He notices how much we give, but is far more interested in the faith and motive and heart in giving than simply the amount.
She gave two mites, not just one. The widow might have kept one coin for herself, and no one would blame her if she did. Giving one meant giving half of all her money. Instead, she gave with staggering generosity.
NOTE – Two mites, the value of a mite can be determined like this: a denarii is one day’s wage, and equals six meahs; one meah equals two pondions; one pondion equals two issarines; one issarine equals eight mites. When you figure it all out, two mites is 1% of a denarii – 1% of a day’s wage.
(V3-4) Jesus did not say that she put in more than any one of them. He said that she put in more than all of them – all of them put together. The others gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.
Jesus’ principle here shows us that before God, the spirit of giving determines the value of the gift more than the amount. God does not need our money. God doesn’t want grudgingly given money or guilt money. God loves the cheerful giver.
(V5-6) THE TEMPLE
This temple was originally rebuilt by Ezra. It was the centre of Jewish life for almost a thousand years. The temple was so revered that it was customary to swear by the temple, and speaking against the temple could be considered blasphemy. King Herod greatly expanded it by more than doubled the temples area, increasing it to approx 36 acres. The rebuilding work started in 19 B.C., and was only completed in 63AD, taking more than eighty years to get completed and it was only finished for seven years before it was totally destroyed.
The temple wasn’t just big, it was also beautiful. The temple was covered on the outside with gold plates, that were so brilliant that when the sun shone on them, it was blinding to look at. Where there was no gold, there were blocks of marble of such a pure white that from a distance, travellers thought there was snow on the temple.
Not one stone will be left on top of another – Some 40 years after Jesus said this, there was a widespread Jewish revolution against the Romans. The rebels enjoyed many early successes but ultimately, Rome crushed the rebellion. Jerusalem was levelled, including the temple – just as Jesus said.
NOTE – It is said that at the fall of Jerusalem, the last surviving Jews of the city fled to the temple, because it was the strongest, most secure building in the city. Roman soldiers surrounded it, and one drunken soldier started a fire that soon engulfed the whole building. Ornate gold detail work in the roof melted down in the cracks between the stone walls of the temple, and to retrieve the gold, the Roman commander ordered that the temple be dismantled stone by stone. The destruction was so complete that today there is true difficulty learning exactly where the temple was.
(V7) What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?– The reply of Jesus to these questions, recorded in both Matthew 24 and here, has in mind both the coming destruction to come upon Jerusalem in the near term and the ultimate return of Jesus at the end of the age, but Luke concentrates more on the first event.
(V8-11) Many will come in my name, – From the start, Jesus warned the disciples that many would be deceived as they look for His return. And over the centuries there have been loads of End of the world predictions by false messiahs.
when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic – What Jesus said here applied both to the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the yet to be fulfilled return of Jesus at the end of the age.
In some sense, there were wars preceding the destruction of Jerusalem, because the Romans were frequently at war with the Jews, the Samaritans, the Syrians, and others during this period. In the broader Roman Empire there were notable earthquakes before Jerusalem was destroyed. There were famines, such as the one mentioned in Acts 11:28. In the Roman Empire there were terrifying things such as the destruction of Pompeii which happened only seven years before the destruction Jerusalem. There were signs from heaven, a comet that looked like a sword appeared in the sky over Jerusalem shortly before its destruction.
For these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately – Yet Jesus specifically said that none of these things are the specific signs of His immediate coming. Matthew 24:8 described these things as the first of the birth pains, and will become more frequent and more intense before the return of Jesus without any one of them being the specific sign of the end.
(V12-19)You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons – In Jesus time and after the main persecution of Christians came from other religions, but as time moves on we will get persecuted by the world as well.
This will be your opportunity to tell them about me – From the Book of Acts onwards, there have been countless times when persecution has given Christians the opportunity to preach and give testimony to those they could otherwise never reach with the message, such as kings and rulers.
I will give you the right words – Jesus personally promises us special help in such circumstances.
So don’t worry in advance about how to answer – Because of this promise we should worry about such things as He will be by our side.
You will be betrayed – Christians must expect to suffer not only from enemies outside the church, but also from traitors among so called believers same as Judas.
Everyone will hate you because you are my followers – It is strange to think that men and women would be hated for the sake of Jesus, who was and is only love and goodness. Yet of course it is true.
By standing firm, you will win your souls – The word for standing firm here is the great Greek word hupomone. It means a strong endurance, not just a passive waiting. We endure, trusting the promise of Jesus that ultimately, in the eternal picture that , not a hair of your head shall perish, as in we will not be sent to hell
(V20-24)And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies – This warning of Jesus, focused on the nearer aspects of the greater prophecy, were virtually ignored by the Jewish people in A.D. 70 when Roman armies circled Jerusalem.
Those in Judea must flee to the hills – Many Jews expected the Messiah to return in glory when Gentile armies surrounded Jerusalem. However, Christians in Jerusalem knew what Jesus had said and they obeyed Him, fleeing across the Jordan River mostly to Pella. Only a very few Christians died in the fall of Jerusalem.
Days of God’s vengeance – The Roman conquest of Jerusalem A.D. 70 was complete. History records that 1.1 million Jews were killed and another 97,000 were taken captive in one of the worst calamities ever to strike the Jewish people. Jesus had warned them to avoid it.This is why He wept over Jerusalem, because He could see the massive devastation to come upon this city He loved – and why He warned all who would listen how they could flee from the coming destruction.
NOTE – When the Romans were done with Jerusalem in A.D. 70 not a single Jew was left alive in the city. The Romans eventually renamed the city Aelia Capitolina, and for many years would not allow a Jew to even enter what was formerly known as Jerusalem, except on one day a year – on the anniversary of the destruction of the temple, when Jews were invited to come and mourn.
Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles – After the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jews predicted by Jesus in the previous verses, there would come a long period when Jerusalem would be dominated by Gentiles.
After thousands of years of exile, a Jewish state was miraculously established in Israel again in 1948. It was not until 1968 that Israel controlled Jerusalem, but still today they yield the rule and the administration of the most central piece of Jerusalem the Temple Mount to Gentile rule the Palestinian Authority. It can be argued that prophetically speaking, Jerusalem is still trampled down by the Gentiles and until that changes the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
(V25-28)Strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil – History doesn’t tell of any events like this in 70AD or shortly after. Jesus here looked to the later aspects of the ultimate fulfilment of His return and the end of the age.
The Son of Mancoming on a cloud – Again there are no historical events anything like this at 70AD or after. So Jesus has turned from describing events that have already happened from our perspective not His, to describing events that have yet to happen.
When all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near! – Jesus assured believers on the earth at that time to be ready, because the time of great tribulation they experience will not last forever, but Jesus will return in glory soon.
(V29-33) Notice the fig tree –The fig tree is just one example of a tree that buds before summer; no special reference to Israel seems to be intended as indicated by the words, or any other tree. The idea is that when a fig tree buds, there is an inevitable result – summer is near, and fruit is coming. In the same way, when these signs are seen, the coming of Jesus in glory inevitably follow.
This generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place –Jesus did not refer to His own generation and that of the disciples, but of the generation that sees those signs; they will also see the very end. This is God’s promise that He will not prolong what Jesus called the Great Tribulation forever.
Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear – No mere man could truthfully say this. Jesus claimed that His words were the very words of God .
(V34-37) Watch out! – We must be careful because there are certain things that will make one unprepared – carousing, drunkenness, and worries of this life. Each of these things can make us unprepared for the day of Jesus’ return. They make the heart dulled.
NOTE – carousing literally refers to the hangover that comes after drinking too much.
Like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. – Jesus here spoke of His coming from a different angle. As Christians we know the sighs already spoken of but too many His arrival will come as a surprise.
Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach – Luke wanted to show the public, open character of Jesus’ teaching work, even teaching at the most public place in Jerusalem. Jesus did not hide in these few days before His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion.
Each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives – Like many Galileans who came to Jerusalem for Passover, Jesus camped out on Mount of Olives at night as Jerusalem was so full.
AMEN