21:10-11 Luke's interruption of Jesus' teaching suggests a break of some kind in His thought. It seems clear from what follows, in verse 11 especially, that Jesus now broadened His perspective from the wars that would precede the destruction of Jerusalem to include later wars. He was referring specifically to the wars that would precede His return to the earth. The disciples may not have understood this difference when Jesus spoke these words, but by the time Luke wrote his Gospel the difference had become clearer. Later revelation gives us much more information about the wars, earthquakes, plagues, famines, terrors, and great heavenly signs that will precede the Second Coming (Rev. 6-18). The Old Testament prophets had predicted this time of turmoil on the earth, namely the Tribulation (cf. Isa. 13:10, 13; 34:4; Jer. 30:4-7; Ezek. 14:21; 32:7-8; Dan. 9:26-27; Amos 8:9; Hag. 2:6; et al.). However, Jesus' hearers did not know when it would come.
21:12-15 Before the calamities of the Tribulation, Jesus' disciples would experience persecution from their enemies spoken of generally here as "they."Jesus proceeded to describe what His disciples could expect from the time He spoke until His return. He warned them about what to expect so they would not yield to persecution.
They would undergo examinations from hostile Jews in synagogues (cf. Matt. 10:17; Mark 13:9), and they would experience confinement in prisons. Gentiles also would arrest them and bring them before kings and governors because of their allegiance to Jesus (cf. Matt. 10:18; Mark 13:9). Nevertheless these situations would provide opportunities for witness. The disciples should not fret about their verbal defense ahead of time but should rely on Jesus' promise to provide them with the words (cf. Exod. 4:11, 15; Ezek. 29:21) and the wisdom they would need then (cf. 12:11-12; Matt. 10:19-20; Mark 13:11). This would come to them through the Holy Spirit's ministry to them (Mark 13:11). They would discover that their witness would be very powerful. We have examples of this happening in the early church (e.g., Acts 4:14; 6:10; 8:3; 12:4; 21:11; 22:4; 27:1; 28:17) and throughout church history. It will continue through the Tribulation.
21:16-17 They would also experience betrayal by close relatives and friends (cf. Mark 13:12). Some of them would die for their testimonies. Hatred would descend on many more than would die (cf. Mark 13:13).
21:18 Jesus promised that He would keep them safe. This probably means that no harm would befall them without the Father's permission (v. 16; cf. Acts 27:34).461Some interpreters believe it refers to their spiritual safety.462However physical safety seems to be in view throughout the passage.
21:19 By persevering faithfully when persecuted they would preserve their lives (Gr. ktesesthe tas psychas hymon). That is, they would not die before it was God's will for them to die (v. 18). Some interpreters believe that this verse simply restates in different terms the principle that those who endure to the end will experience salvation (Matt. 24:13; Mark 13:13).463Matthew and Mark recorded a principle for disciples living just before the Lord's return. Those who remained faithful to the end of the Tribulation would enter the kingdom without dying (Matt. 24:13; Mark 13:13). However the differences in terminology in Luke argue for a different meaning here. This verse seems to be an additional promise. It cannot mean that martyrs can earn justification by remaining faithful rather than apostatizing since justification comes by faith, not works (cf. Rom. 2:7). It may mean that perseverance will earn an eternal reward (cf. v. 36; Rev. 2:10).
