Read Luke 21 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
Luke 21:1-38 Chiastic Structure (and Luke 21:1-38 Expanded Chiasm pdf):
This chapter of Luke corresponds to Mat 24 and Mar 13. My comments about Matthew 24 are posted here. Matthew records three questions that the disciples ask Jesus, while Mark and Luke record two questions:
Mat 24:3 –
1) When will these things be (the throwing down of the Temple)? answered in Mat 24:15-22;
2) What will be the sign of Your coming? answered in Mat 24:23-51;
3) What will be the sign of the end of the age? answered in Mat 24:4-14.
Luk 21:7 –
1) And they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, when then will these things be (the throwing down of the Temple)?
2) And what is the sign when these things are about to happen?”
If we apply the same Teaching Tool of Common Theme to Luke that we applied to Matthew, we find:
And He said, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and ‘The time has drawn near.’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end is not immediately.” 10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And great earthquakes will be in various places, and famines and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs will be from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, being brought before kings and governors for My name’s sake. 13 It will stand as a testimony for you. 14 Settle it then in your hearts not to prepare beforehand what you will answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all those opposing you will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 And you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 And you will be hated by all because of My name. 18 But not one hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance, gain your souls. Luk 21:8-19
So Luk 21:8-19 corresponds to Mat 24:4-14, answering the question, What will be the sign of the end of the age?
Notice that in verse 12, Jesus says, “But before all these things.” All what things? The things of the end of the age. I believe vs. 12-19 describes the Great Tribulation, which the Ten Great Roman Persecutions of the Church, 64-313 ad fulfill. No other persections in history, not even the Spanish Inquisition, compared to it in devastating scope.
And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has drawn near. 21 Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those in the midst of it depart, and let not those in the countryside enter into it. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all things that have been written. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those nursing in those days! For great distress will be on the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luk 21:20-24
So Luk 21:20-24 corresponds to Mat 24:15-22, answering the question, When will these things be (the throwing down of the Temple)?
And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity, with the sea and waves roaring, 26 men fainting from fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption has drawn near.” 29 And He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout, you see and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I say to you that this generation will not pass away until all happens. 33 The heaven and the earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. 34 But watch yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with excess and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day come upon you suddenly. 35 For like a snare it will come upon all those dwelling on the face of all the earth. 36 Watch then, praying at all times, that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that are about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luk 21:25-36
So Luk 21:25-36 corresponds to Mat 24:23-51, answering the question, What will be the sign of Your coming?
I believe that, in Luk 21:7, Jesus answers the first question—concerning the throwing down of the Temple—in Luk 21:20-24, and the second question—about the signs heralding these events—in Luk 21:8-19 and 21:25-36.
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