20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:20-24 KJV)
Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem
Having given them an idea of what would happen over the next thirty-eight years, he now shows them what it would all lead to: the destruction of Jerusalem and the complete scattering of the Jewish people. This would be a kind of judgment day—a type and shadow of Christ’s second coming, which is more fully described in the parallel passage (Matthew 24), but hinted at here. For those whose hopes were tied to Jerusalem, its fall would feel like the end of the world.
He tells them they would see Jerusalem surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20)—the Roman armies—and when they saw that, they could know for sure that its desolation was near. Though the siege might be long, its outcome would be certain. When God begins judgment, He will bring it to completion.
He warns them to flee for safety when this sign appears (Luke 21:21): “Then let those in Judea leave the region and escape to the mountains. Let those in the city get out before it’s completely closed in, and let not those in the surrounding areas try to enter it, thinking they’ll be safer there. Abandon a city and land that God has clearly abandoned to destruction. Come out of her, my people.”
He foretells the terrible devastation that would fall upon the Jewish nation (Luke 21:22): These are the days of vengeance long prophesied in the Old Testament, fulfilling the ruin of that rebellious people. All that was written would now be accomplished. After long-abused patience, vengeance would come, for delay is not forgiveness. The severity of that destruction is shown:
- By its cause—it is God’s wrath being poured out.
- By the special anguish it would cause pregnant women and nursing mothers, who are most vulnerable and distressed by the thought of their children suffering or being slaughtered.
- By the general panic across the land—there would be great distress, and people would be at a complete loss for what to do.
He describes what the conflict between the Jews and the Romans would result in:
- A massive number would fall by the sword. Historical records estimate that more than 1.1 million people died in those wars, and the siege of Jerusalem was essentially an execution.
- The survivors would be taken captive—not into one nation like during the Babylonian exile, but scattered into all nations, preventing any regrouping or unity.
- Jerusalem itself would be trampled by Gentiles. After the Romans captured it, they left it in ruins as a rebellious and dangerous city.