King James Version

What Does Luke 21:24 Mean?

Luke 21:24 in the King James Version says “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be tro...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 21:24 · KJV

Context

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.

25

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Read Luke 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Jesus prophesies three specific judgments. First, pesountai stomati machairēs (πεσοῦνται στόματι μαχαίρης, "they shall fall by mouth of sword")—massive casualties from military violence. Josephus records over one million Jews killed during the siege. Second, aichmalōtisthēsontai eis ta ethnē panta (αἰχμαλωτισθήσονται εἰς τὰ ἔθνη πάντα, "they shall be led captive into all the nations")—not merely local deportation but worldwide dispersion. Rome enslaved survivors and scattered them across the empire.

Third, Ierousalēm estai patoumenē hypo ethnōn (Ἰερουσαλὴμ ἔσται πατουμένη ὑπὸ ἐθνῶν, "Jerusalem shall be trampled by Gentiles")—extended Gentile domination. The present passive participle patoumenē (πατουμένη, "being trampled") suggests ongoing subjugation. This began with Rome and continued through Byzantine, Arab, Crusader, Mamluk, Ottoman, and British rule—Jerusalem under Gentile control for 1,878 years (AD 70 to 1948, and partially until 1967).

The time limit achri plērōthōsin kairoi ethnōn (ἄχρι πληρωθῶσιν καιροὶ ἐθνῶν, "until times of Gentiles be fulfilled") indicates a divinely appointed period. Paul references this in Romans 11:25—"blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." The Gentile age has a terminus; God's plan for Israel isn't finished.

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Historical & Cultural Context

History meticulously fulfilled Jesus' threefold prophecy. Josephus records that 1.1 million Jews died in the siege and 97,000 were enslaved and dispersed throughout the Roman Empire. Jerusalem fell to Rome (AD 70), then changed hands repeatedly: Byzantine Christians controlled it (AD 324-638), Arab Muslims conquered it (638-1099), Crusaders briefly held it (1099-1187), then Mamluks and Ottoman Turks ruled for centuries (1517-1917). British Mandate followed (1917-1948). Jerusalem remained under Gentile control until Israel's 1948 independence, and the Old City wasn't in Jewish hands until the 1967 Six-Day War—a 1,897-year fulfillment of being "trodden down of the Gentiles." Reformed interpreters debate whether 1948/1967 marks the end of 'times of the Gentiles' or if this awaits Christ's return.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the precise historical fulfillment of Jesus' three predictions (sword, captivity, Gentile trampling) demonstrate about His prophetic authority?
  2. How does the concept of 'times of the Gentiles' inform understanding of God's sovereign control over history and His faithfulness to Israel?
  3. What is the relationship between Israel's restoration and the church's mission to the Gentiles in God's redemptive plan?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
καὶ1 of 20

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πεσοῦνται2 of 20

“they shall fall”

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

στόματι3 of 20

“by the edge”

G4750

the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e

μαχαίρας4 of 20

“of the sword”

G3162

a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment

καὶ5 of 20

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αἰχμαλωτισθήσονται6 of 20

“shall be led away captive”

G163

to make captive

εἰς7 of 20

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

πάντα8 of 20

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰ9 of 20
G3588

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

ἐθνῶν10 of 20

“nations”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

καὶ11 of 20

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰερουσαλὴμ12 of 20

“Jerusalem”

G2419

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

ἔσται13 of 20

“shall be”

G2071

will be

πατουμένη14 of 20

“trodden down”

G3961

to trample (literally or figuratively)

ὑπὸ15 of 20

“of”

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 (

ἐθνῶν16 of 20

“nations”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

ἄχρι17 of 20

“until”

G891

(of time) until or (of place) up to

πληρωθῶσιν18 of 20

“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

καιροὶ19 of 20

“the times”

G2540

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

ἐθνῶν20 of 20

“nations”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

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 21:24 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 21:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 11:25Revelation 11:2Isaiah 63:18Daniel 12:7Daniel 9:27Isaiah 5:5

Places in This Verse

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

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