King James Version

What Does Luke 21:22 Mean?

Luke 21:22 in the King James Version says “For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.”

Luke 21:22 · KJV

Context

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Jesus identifies Jerusalem's destruction as hēmerai ekdikēseōs (ἡμέραι ἐκδικήσεως, "days of vengeance")—divine retribution, not random tragedy. The noun ekdikēsis (ἐκδίκησις) means judicial punishment, God's righteous judgment executed against covenant-breaking Israel. This isn't vindictive cruelty but holy justice—God keeping His covenant warnings.

The purpose clause tou plēsthēnai panta ta gegrammena (τοῦ πλησθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα, "that all things written may be fulfilled") indicates that Jerusalem's fall fulfills Old Testament prophecies. "All things which are written" encompasses Deuteronomy's covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:49-68—siege, starvation, cannibalism, dispersion), Daniel's prophecy of the city and sanctuary's destruction (Daniel 9:26), and Jeremiah's warnings of Jerusalem's desolation (Jeremiah 7:34). The perfect passive participle gegrammena (γεγραμμένα, "having been written") emphasizes Scripture's enduring authority—what God wrote centuries earlier must be fulfilled.

This statement places AD 70 within redemptive history's framework—not accident but divine appointment. Jerusalem rejected her Messiah; this generation bears the accumulated guilt of all who persecuted God's prophets (Luke 11:50-51). The city that killed prophets and stoned messengers (Luke 13:34) now faces covenant judgment. Yet even this judgment serves redemptive purposes—clearing the way for the new covenant age and demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The term "days of vengeance" alludes to passages like Deuteronomy 32:35 ("To me belongeth vengeance") and Jeremiah 5:29 ("Shall I not visit for these things?"). Jerusalem's AD 70 destruction fulfilled specific Old Testament judgments: Moses warned that covenant-breaking would bring siege, starvation, and cannibalism (Deuteronomy 28:52-57)—exactly what Josephus describes happening in AD 70. Daniel prophesied that "the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary" (Daniel 9:26)—fulfilled by Roman legions. Jesus Himself wept over Jerusalem, declaring "your house is left unto you desolate" (Luke 13:35). This generation rejected God's final messenger (Messiah), filling up the measure of their fathers' sins (Matthew 23:31-36).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Jerusalem's destruction as covenant judgment rather than random tragedy affect your view of God's justice and faithfulness?
  2. What does the meticulous fulfillment of 'all things written' demonstrate about Scripture's reliability and God's sovereign control of history?
  3. How should the sobering reality of divine vengeance against covenant-breaking inform Christian faithfulness and reverence for God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 10 words
ὅτι1 of 10

“For”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἡμέραι2 of 10

“the days”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐκδικήσεως3 of 10

“of vengeance”

G1557

vindication, retribution

αὗταί4 of 10

“these”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

εἰσιν5 of 10

“be”

G1526

they are

τὰ6 of 10

“which”

G3588

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

πληρωθῆναι7 of 10

“may be fulfilled”

G4137

to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute

πάντα8 of 10

“that all things”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰ9 of 10

“which”

G3588

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

γεγραμμένα10 of 10

“are written”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

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 21:22 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 21:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 9:7Isaiah 65:12-162 Peter 2:9Isaiah 63:4Jeremiah 51:6Isaiah 34:8

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