21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem 1 surrounded 2 by armies, then know that its 3 desolation 4 has come near. 21:21 Then those who are in Judea must flee 5 to the mountains. Those 6 who are inside the city must depart. Those 7 who are out in the country must not enter it, 21:22 because these are days of vengeance, 8 to fulfill 9 all that is written.
1 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
2 sn See Luke 19:41-44. This passage refers to the events associated with the fall of Jerusalem, when the city is surrounded by armies.
3 tn Grk “her,” referring to the city of Jerusalem (the name “Jerusalem” in Greek is a feminine noun).
4 sn The phrase its desolation is a reference to the fall of the city, which is the only antecedent present in Luke’s account. The parallels to this in Matt 24:15 and Mark 13:14 refer to the temple’s desolation, though Matthew’s allusion is clearer. They focus on the parallel events of the end, not on the short term realization in
5 sn Fleeing to the mountains is a key OT image: Gen 19:17; Judg 6:2; Isa 15:5; Jer 16:16; Zech 14:5.
6 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
7 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
8 tn Or “of punishment.” This is a time of judgment.
9 tn The passive construction with the infinitive πλησθῆναι (plhsqhnai) has been translated as an active construction for simplicity, in keeping with contemporary English style.