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The Gospel of Luke Chapter 21
Commentary by Timothy H. Burdick
Let’s look at the first four verses
of Luke 21, and then, examine them more closely. Instead of
reading the entire chapter all at once, and then commenting
on it, I will comment on the specific portions that we read.
The Widow's Offering
“As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich
putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a
poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘I tell you
the truth,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than
all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of
their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had
to live on.’”
Jesus was watching the people as
they put in great sums of money while passing by the temple
treasury. They were undoubtedly doing this for show. They
wanted to make sure that everyone was watching. Think about
these people, who would have been lavishly dressed at the
time.
Then out of nowhere came a poor widow. Use your imagination
and contrast the two. The first group included the upper
crust of society, a group that wanted nothing to do with
this woman. Her clothes, in contrast to these people must
have been tattered, and I’m sure there were other signs of
poverty that she may have exhibited. Nevertheless, Jesus
used this poor widow’s sacrificial giving as a great example
for us all. He said that because she put in all that she had
to live on while her gift was small, she really gave more in
the sight of God than they all did.
This story is a measuring tool that we all can use. Do we
give until it hurts? Do we give because we love the Lord?
David said about this, in 2 Samuel 24:24, “And the king said
unto Araunah, no, but I will surely buy it from you for a
price. Nor will I offer burnt-offerings to the Lord my God
which costs me nothing. So David bought the threshing-floor
and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”
Signs of the End of the Age (Luke 21:5-6)
“Some of His disciples were remarking about how the temple
was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated
to God. But Jesus said, ‘As for what you see here, the time
will come when not one stone will be left on another; every
one of them will be thrown down.’”
First of all, notice that Jesus is talking to His disciples.
Jesus was talking to them about matters that He didn’t talk
to the crowd about in detail. Instead of thinking about what
He was telling them the disciples had their mind’s fixed on
the beauty of the temple. I think that there are some things
that we all can think about here. As his disciples today,
what is Christ trying to impress on us? Do we have our minds
on the sensational around us, or are we concentrating on
what He wants to teach us? Jesus said that the lavish stones
they were looking at would all be cast down, one on top of
another. And this is exactly what happened in 70 AD. When
Jerusalem was invaded by the Romans and destroyed.
"’Teacher,’ they asked, ‘when will these things happen? And
what will be the sign that they are about to take place?’ He
replied: ‘Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will
come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is
near.' Do not follow them.’” (Luke 21:7-8
Just like all of us, the early disciples wanted to pinpoint
a specific time when it came to this matter of Christ’s
return to the world. Jesus however, only gave these men
general clues about the Second Coming of Christ. Compare
this Verse with Matthew 24:36 - "No one knows about that day
or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but
only the Father.” I am afraid that too many times today we
have our minds fixed on trying to figure out the exact time
of His coming, instead of concentrating on how this event
affects our lifestyles right now.
Notice that in Verse 8 of Luke 21, Jesus talked about the
kind of lifestyle we should adopt and live in. Instead of
being deceived like the majority of people in this world, we
need to be watchful, He said, because there will be many who
try to imitate Him. This is a fact that history has proven
all to well. Jesus makes a point of saying that we are not
to follow such people. Let’s read 1 John 2:22, as we think
about this verse in Luke - “Who is the liar? It is the man
who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the
antichrist - he denies the Father and the Son.”
Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke, goes on in Verse 9
to say, “When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be
frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will
not come right away."
Again in the first part of verse 9, Jesus was speaking about
lifestyle. We are not to live a lifestyle of fear. Wars and
revolutions do not mean the end, but unfortunately they are
just part of life on this planet. Compare Luke 21:9 with
Matthew 24:6 - “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars,
but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must
happen, but the end is still to come.”
Now it goes on in Luke 21:10-11: ”Then he said to them,
‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and
pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great
signs from heaven.’”
Again Jesus is simply saying that all through out history,
these catastrophes will take place. But they do point to the
end of the age where it is suggested that they will increase
in frequency. Compare this with Matthew 6:34 - ”Therefore do
not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Also look
at Matthew 24:7-8 - “Nation will rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and
earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning
of birth pains.”
Jesus says in Luke 21:12-13, “But before all this, they will
lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to
synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings
and governors, and all on account of my name.”
Compare these verses with Acts 4:1-3. “The priests and the
captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to
Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They
were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching
the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the
dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was
evening, they put them in jail until the next day.”
Since the idea of being brought before important, hostile
earthly dignitaries for the name of Christ happened to the
early disciples before earthquakes; famine; and wars were
recorded, we can know that persecution is a given for the
disciple of Christ. Compare what Jesus is saying in Luke
with Mark 13:9 - "You must be on your guard. You will be
handed over to the local councils and flogged in the
synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors
and kings as witnesses to them; this will result in your
being witnesses to them.
Jesus tells us in Luke 21:14-15 that while we may have to
undergo this type of persecution, we should not worry: “Make
up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend
yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none
of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Compare what Jesus is saying here with Philippians 4:6-7.
”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.”
Notice that when we take a stand for Christ, we are his
witnesses. This is important to remember when everything
seemingly comes against us. You may not be going through
persecution on a large scale, but every time that you stand
up and are counted for His name, you are being a witness.
Compare this with Matthew 10:32-33,” Whoever acknowledges me
before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in
heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him
before My Father in heaven.”
In Verse 14 of Luke 21, we learn that we don’t need to
anxiously worry about what might happen; instead we are to
have a mindset that embodies peace. When troubles come,
Satan will do everything to distract us, which is why we
need to do some advanced planning. To see what I mean,
please look at 2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present
yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need
to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
We don’t need to be obsessed with what will happen, but we
do need to think ahead.
Notice in verse 15 of Luke 21, Jesus says that His “wisdom”
will be given to us, Please compare this thought with James
1:5 - “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who
gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will
be given to him.” In Verse 15 of Luke 21, Jesus goes on to
imply that while people may try, they will really not be
able to refute this wisdom.
Now let’s read the Verses 16-19 of Luke 21 – “You will be
betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends,
and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate
you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish.
By standing firm you will gain life.”
Jesus is telling us in verse 16, that even some of the
people that we think are the closest to us will be against
us when we take a stand for Him. Compare this verse with
Psalms 55:12-14 - “If an enemy were insulting me, I could
endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could
hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my
companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet
fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of
God.”
Luke goes on to tell us in Verse 17 about the general
attitude of unbelievers, but Verse 18 tells us about our
standing in Christ. Compare verse 18, with Luke 12:7 -
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't
be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Also look at Romans 8:17 - “if we are children, then we are
heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we
share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in
his glory.” Instead of looking at the negative when things
go wrong, think about how much God loves you. Also look at
John 14:21, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is
the one who loves Me. He who loves me will be loved by my
Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
It is hard not to be moved when everything looks bleak, but
just knowing that this life will pass, and that we will
share eternity with Christ, should fill us with anticipation
and hope.
Luke goes on in Verse 20 of Chapter 21, "When you see
Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its
desolation is near.” The Bible has what is called a “near
and far fulfillment” when it comes to prophesy. In other
words, the near fulfillment came to pass, in 70 AD, when
under Titus, the armies of the Gentile Romans besieged
Jerusalem. This culminated in the temple being destroyed. A
scene similar to this will also play out in the end times,
and that will be the “far” fulfillment.
Then Jesus goes on in Luke 21:21-26, and gives us more
detail, about the events that precede His coming.
“Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let
those in the city get out, and let those in the country not
enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in
fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it
will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing
mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath
against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be
taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be
trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles
are fulfilled. There will be signs in the sun, moon and
stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and
perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will
faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the
world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”
In these verses, Jesus is referring to what the Bible calls
the “Great Tribulation.” A time of trouble such as has never
been known by man will come upon this world and all who are
in it. Read what Jesus said about this time in Matthew 24:21
- “Then there will be great distress, unequaled from the
beginning of the world until now - and never to be equaled
again.”
Luke tells us in Verse 27 of Chapter 21, “At that time they
will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and
great glory.” At the time when everything looks the darkest,
Jesus will come. Compare this verse with Matthew 24:27 -
”For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even
in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:28 – “When these things begin to take place, stand
up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is
drawing near.” While we are not to have our minds solely
preoccupied with times and dates, we are to live in an
attitude of expectancy. Please compare this verse with
Matthew 24:42 - "Therefore keep watch, because you do not
know on what day your Lord will come.”
Luke 21:29-32 - Jesus told them this parable: "Look at the
fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can
see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so,
when you see these things happening, you know that the
kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth; this
generation will certainly not pass away until all these
things have happened.
In the Bible, the fig tree is usually a symbol of Israel. In
1948, Israel became a nation, which it had not been for
thousands of years. We can see the “leaves” beginning to
come forth and while we are not told the exact time we can
know that the season of His coming, is near. But too many
times, we are only looking at this nearness from a human
perspective. While we might be excited about Bible prophecy,
we need to maintain a balance. To achieve this look at 2
Peter 3:8 - “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:
With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand
years are like a day.” God’s timetable is much larger than
our understanding.
Then Jesus goes on, to talk about God’s Word, in Luke 21:33
– “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never
pass away.”
Have you ever really reflected on the eternal value of the
Word of God? Nations and kingdoms will pass away, but Jesus
tells us that His Word is the one constant in this life.
Compare this with, Psalm 119:11 - “I have hidden your word
in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Since His
Word, the Bible is our compass, we need to take His Word
more seriously, so that we can stay in tune with God.
Then Jesus goes on in Luke 21:34-36. "Be careful, or your
hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness
and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you
unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those
who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the
watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is
about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before
the Son of Man."
In these verses Jesus talks about the importance of what you
might call, “lifestyle,” for the third time in this Chapter.
The importance of “watching and praying” cannot be
overstated. We need to watch so that we are not weighed
down, and pray that we can not only avoid the temptations of
today, but also the calamity which is coming on the earth.
In this way, we can know that He will help us when we stand
before Him. Please look at 2 Peter 3:11-12 - “Since
everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of
people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly
lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its
coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the
heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”
Lifestyle then is so important, because we are no different
than Christ’s early disciples, and I think of what a
difficult time they had when it came to this matter of
“watching and praying” while they were in the garden of
Gethsemane. To see this, look at Mark 14:37-38 - “Then he
returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Simon,’
he said to Peter, ‘are you asleep? Could you not keep watch
for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into
temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.’”
Again I would emphasize that we are like the early disciples
who the Lord found sleeping. Many times in our Christian
lives we are spiritually asleep and therefore can miss the
best that God has for us. To remain strong, we need to
remain alert. Compare these words with, Ephesians 6:10-11 -
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put
on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand
against the devil's schemes.”
Read the final two verses in Luke
Chapter 21, for they speak about the faithfulness of the
Lord. Verses 37-38 – “Each day Jesus was teaching at the
temple, and each evening He went out to spend the night on
the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came
early in the morning to hear him at the temple.”
Although Jesus was undoubtedly
tired, and the cross loomed before Him, He remained
faithful. His faithfulness should be an example to us, every
day of our lives.
From a historical prospective these
last two verses show us that the people loved to listen to
Jesus, and because of the Passover season, these pilgrims
that wanted to hear Him, would have been from all over the
known world.
Although He started teaching early,
we can see that He gained His strength through prayer. This
also should be an example to us, teaching us about the
importance of prayer in our lives. For like Jesus, God wants
to impart strength to us as we face life’s challenges.
Please look with me, at Isaiah 40:31 - “Those who hope in
the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings
like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will
walk and not be faint.”
While the text does not say that
Jesus was in prayer directly, it tells us that He spent the
night at the mount of Olives for this reason many times in
other places. That this was a favorite place for Jesus to go
and pray can be seen by looking at Luke 22:39-40. “Jesus
went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples
followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray
that you will not fall into temptation." Temptation is still
very real, so we must stay alert.
Thank you for reading this, and join
me next time for Luke 22.
Friday Study Ministries
The First Church On The Net
www.FridayStudy.org
www.FirstChurchOnTheNet.org
"While
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
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