Luke 21:5-8

Context

The Signs of the End of the Age

21:5 Now¹ while some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned² with beautiful stones and offerings,³ Jesus⁴ said, 21:6 “As for these things that you are gazing at, the days will come when not one stone will be left on another.⁵ All will be torn down!”⁶ 21:7 So⁷ they asked him,⁸ “Teacher, when will these things⁹ happen? And what will be the sign that¹⁰ these things are about to take place?” 21:8 He¹¹ said, “Watch out¹² that you are not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’¹³ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them!

[21:5] ¹tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[21:5] ²sn The Jerusalem temple was widely admired around the world. See Josephus, Ant. 15.11 (15.380-425); J. W. 5.5 (5.184-227) and Tacitus, History 5.8, who called it “immensely opulent.” Josephus compared it to a beautiful snowcapped mountain.

[21:5] ³tn For the translation of ἀνάθημα (anaqhma) as “offering” see L&N 53.18.

[21:5] ⁴tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[21:6] ⁵sn With the statement days will come when not one stone will be left on another Jesus predicted the total destruction of the temple, something that did occur in a.d. 70.

[21:6] ⁶tn Grk “the days will come when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down.”

[21:7] ⁹tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ comments about the temple’s future destruction.

[21:7] ¹⁰tn Grk “asked him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in English and has not been translated.

[21:7] ¹¹sn Both references to these things are plural, so more than the temple’s destruction is in view. The question may presuppose that such a catastrophe signals the end.

[21:7] ¹²tn Grk “when.”

[21:8] ¹³tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[21:8] ¹⁴tn Or “Be on guard.”

[21:8] ¹⁵tn That is, “I am the Messiah.”