21:1 contribution box The Greek word used here, gazophylakion, may refer to a room in the temple or to a box used to collect contributions.

21:2 two small copper coins The coins described here had the least value of any currency in Jesus’ time.

21:4 all the means of subsistence The Greek phrase used here means “all the livelihood” or “all the life,” implying that her giving was so generous it could impede upon her survival. See note on Mark 12:44.

21:6 not one stone will be left This likely describes the destruction of the temple—and most of Jerusalem—by the Romans in ad 70 (compare Luke 19:41–44).

21:7 when therefore will these things happen Refers to Jesus’ comment about the destruction of the temple (v. 6).

21:8 many will come in my name Jesus might be referring to people claiming to be the Messiah or people falsely claiming to work under Jesus’ authority.

21:10 nation will rise up against nation Language reminiscent of several ot passages (e.g., 2 Chr 15:6; Isa 19:2).

21:11 great earthquakes and famines and plagues Common motifs of divine judgment (e.g., Deut 32:24; Ezek 6:11; Rev 6:12; 16:18).

Apocalyptic Literature

21:12 and will persecute you Jesus describes the suffering that His disciples will undergo. In Acts, Luke details some of this persecution (e.g., Acts 5:17–18; 7:54–8:3; 12:1–5).

21:13 a time of witness Persecution will give Jesus’ followers opportunities to proclaim the gospel.

21:15 for I will give you a mouth Earlier in Luke, this ability to testify about God’s work is attributed to the Holy Spirit (see Luke 12:12 and note). Here, Jesus says that He Himself will empower His followers to speak wisely and persuasively, showing a strong connection between Jesus and the Holy Spirit (see John 14:26 and note).

21:16 by parents and brothers and relatives Compare Luke 12:49–53.

21:18 will never perish Likely refers to eternal life in the age to come (see 20:35 and note). Verse 16 states that some of the disciples will be put to death, and church tradition holds that all but one (John) were martyred. Jesus is thus referencing the eternal fate of His followers.

21:20 when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies Jesus could be warning about the Roman attack of ad 70. He also might be referring to other tribulation prior to His second coming.

its desolation has come near Jesus could be alluding to an act that causes desolation in the ot book of Daniel, which is a reference to idolatry (see Dan 8:13 and note; Matt 24:15 and note). This may also just be another reference to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.

21:22 these are days of vengeance Jesus is likely referencing Hos 9:7, which describes Israel’s impending destruction for rejecting God and His prophet (compare Isa 63:4; Jer 5:29).

all the things that are written Refers to other oracles of destruction against Jerusalem (e.g., Jer 6:1–8; 26:1–9; Mic 3:12).

21:24 Jerusalem will be trampled down An allusion to the ancient Greek (Septuagint) translation of Zech 12:3, which describes Jerusalem as a stone trampled by the nations. This is part of Zechariah’s oracle against the city for its unfaithfulness. Compare Dan 8:13; Rev 11:2.

until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled Jesus could be referring to the end of Roman oppression or to the end of the present age, before God’s reign is experienced in fullness (see Luke 20:35 and note).

21:25 there will be signs Jesus brings together various apocalyptic motifs associated with ot portrayals of Day of Yahweh.

21:27 Son of Man arriving in a cloud The book of Daniel describes a messianic figure like a son of man receiving an everlasting kingdom (see Dan 7:13 and note). Jesus applies this tradition to Himself—the risen Messiah at His glorious return (Matt 8:20 and note).

21:28 stand up straight and raise your heads In contrast to the fearful response described in Luke 21:26, Jesus’ followers can joyfully rise to welcome their deliverer.

Parables of Jesus Table

21:31 when you see these things happening Refers to the events Jesus describes in vv. 8–28—especially the final signs before His second coming (vv. 25–28).

the kingdom of God The culmination of apocalyptic events is the arrival of the Son of Man—Jesus—in power and glory (v. 27) and the full establishment of God’s reign.

21:32 this generation See note on Mark 13:30.

21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away Compare Rev 21:1–8.

21:34 the worries of daily life Reminiscent of the seed sown among the thorns in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:14).

21:35 it will come upon all Indicates the universality of judgment.

21:36 to stand before the Son of Man Refers to being judged by Him (see Rev 20:11–15).