King James Version

What Does Luke 23:30 Mean?

Luke 23:30 in the King James Version says “Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.”

Luke 23:30 · KJV

Context

28

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

29

For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

30

Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

31

For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

32

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. This verse quotes Hosea 10:8, applying its prophetic judgment to Jerusalem's coming destruction. The desperation expressed—calling for mountains to crush and hills to bury—indicates terror so extreme that instant death by earthquake seems preferable to facing inevitable calamity. The Greek arxontai legein (ἄρξονται λέγειν, "begin to say") suggests the onset of prolonged anguish, not momentary panic.

The dual address to "mountains" (tois oresin, τοῖς ὄρεσιν) and "hills" (tois bounois, τοῖς βουνοῖς) employs Hebrew poetic parallelism, intensifying the plea for annihilation. In Scripture, mountains represent strength and permanence (Psalm 125:2); calling for them to fall acknowledges that no human refuge remains. The imperative "Fall on us" (pesete eph' hēmas, πέσετε ἐφ' ἡμᾶς) and "Cover us" (kalýpsate hēmas, καλύψατε ἡμᾶς) express desperation for oblivion.

Revelation 6:16 applies this language to end-times judgment when people "said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." The connection is deliberate—Jerusalem's AD 70 judgment foreshadows final judgment when all who reject Christ will find no escape from divine wrath. Both judgments fulfill the principle: those who refuse the shelter Christ offers will desperately seek shelter elsewhere when judgment comes, but find none.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Hosea 10:8 prophesied judgment on Israel's idolatrous high places, declaring that people would call on mountains to cover them from divine wrath. Jesus applies this prophecy to Jerusalem, which like ancient Israel had rejected God's covenant. The AD 70 siege fulfilled His words literally—Josephus describes people trapped in Jerusalem crying out for death as Roman armies systematically destroyed the city.

The image would resonate with Jesus' audience familiar with earthquakes in the region. Josephus records that many Jews, cornered by Roman forces, leaped from Jerusalem's walls or into fire, choosing suicide over capture. Others hid in underground tunnels and cisterns, effectively calling for the earth to cover them. Archaeological excavations have uncovered remains of those who perished hiding underground during the siege. The historical record confirms that people indeed preferred death to facing the horrors of Jerusalem's judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the desperation for mountains to fall rather than face judgment teach about the terror of God's wrath against sin?
  2. How does this prophecy's fulfillment in AD 70 serve as a warning of the greater final judgment described in Revelation?
  3. Why do people who reject Christ's offered refuge seek futile shelter elsewhere when judgment comes, and how should this urgency shape evangelism?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
τότε1 of 13

“Then”

G5119

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

ἄρξονται2 of 13

“shall they begin”

G756

to commence (in order of time)

λέγειν3 of 13

“to say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

τοῖς4 of 13
G3588

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

ὄρεσιν5 of 13

“to the mountains”

G3735

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

Πέσετε6 of 13

“Fall”

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

ἐφ'7 of 13

“on”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ἡμᾶς·8 of 13

“us”

G2248

us

καὶ9 of 13

“and”

G2532

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

τοῖς10 of 13
G3588

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

βουνοῖς11 of 13

“to the hills”

G1015

a hillock

Καλύψατε12 of 13

“Cover”

G2572

to cover up (literally or figuratively)

ἡμᾶς·13 of 13

“us”

G2248

us

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 23:30 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 23:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 6:16Hosea 10:8Isaiah 2:19Revelation 9:6

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