King James Version

What Does Luke 21:20 Mean?

Luke 21:20 in the King James Version says “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.”

Luke 21:20 · KJV

Context

18

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

19

In your patience possess ye your souls.

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.

Read Luke 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Jesus provides a specific, observable sign for Jerusalem's imminent destruction—kykloumenēn hypo stratopedōn Ierousalēm (κυκλουμένην ὑπὸ στρατοπέδων Ἰερουσαλήμ, "Jerusalem being surrounded by armies"). The present passive participle indicates the action in progress—when you see the encirclement beginning, recognize what follows. The noun stratopedōn (στρατοπέδων) refers to military encampments, the methodical Roman siege strategy.

The phrase hē erēmōsis autēs (ἡ ἐρήμωσις αὐτῆς, "the desolation of it") echoes Daniel's prophecy of the "abomination of desolation" (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11). The verb engiken (ἤγγικεν, "is near") indicates imminent fulfillment—not distant eschatology but approaching historical judgment. This warning gave Christians specific instructions: flee when armies surround the city, don't wait for the siege to tighten.

Church historian Eusebius records that Christians heeded this warning. When Roman general Cestius Gallus withdrew his siege in AD 66 (inexplicably, from military perspective), believers fled to Pella in the Transjordan. When Titus returned in AD 70, no Christians perished in Jerusalem's destruction—Jesus' warning saved His people.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy was fulfilled with stunning precision in AD 70. After the Jewish revolt began in AD 66, Rome dispatched legions under Vespasian and his son Titus. The siege of Jerusalem began in April AD 70 and lasted until September. Josephus, the Jewish historian who witnessed the siege, describes horrors that fulfilled Jesus' warnings: starvation so severe that mothers ate their children, Jewish factions fighting within the city even as Romans attacked from without, over a million Jews killed, and the temple utterly destroyed—not one stone left upon another (Luke 21:6). The 'desolation' was complete—Jerusalem burned, the temple demolished, survivors enslaved, and the Jewish state ended until 1948.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the literal fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy about Jerusalem's destruction validate His authority as a prophet and His warnings about future judgment?
  2. What does the Christians' escape from Jerusalem by heeding Jesus' warning teach about the importance of discerning prophetic signs and obeying Christ's instructions?
  3. How does Jerusalem's AD 70 destruction foreshadow the final judgment that Jesus also describes in this discourse?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
Ὅταν1 of 15

“when”

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

δὲ2 of 15

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἴδητε3 of 15

“ye shall see”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

κυκλουμένην4 of 15

“compassed”

G2944

to encircle, i.e., surround

ὑπὸ5 of 15

“with”

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

στρατοπέδων6 of 15

“armies”

G4760

a camping-ground, i.e., (by implication) a body of troops

τήν7 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰερουσαλήμ8 of 15

“Jerusalem”

G2419

hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine

τότε9 of 15

“then”

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

γνῶτε10 of 15

“know”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

ὅτι11 of 15

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἤγγικεν12 of 15

“is nigh”

G1448

to make near, i.e., (reflexively) approach

ἡ13 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐρήμωσις14 of 15

“the desolation”

G2050

despoliation

αὐτῆς15 of 15

“thereof”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 21:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 21:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 19:43Mark 13:14Daniel 9:27Luke 21:7Matthew 24:15

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Luke 21 →

Test Your Knowledge

Luke 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLuke Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Luke 21 with CommentaryAll Luke ChaptersComplete Luke QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes