Luke 21

Luke 21:1

Treasury. See on Mr 12:41.

Rich. Standing last and emphatically in the sentence, “Saw them that were casting, etc. - rich men.” Not the rich only were casting in. Compare Mr 12:41.

Luke 21:2

Poor. See on Matthew 5:3.

Mites. See on Mr 12:42.

Luke 21:3

This poor widow. See on Mr 12:43.

Luke 21:4

Offerings of God. The best texts omit of God. Rev., more simply, unto the gifts.

Penury [υστερηματος] . Lit., lack. Rev., neatly, of her want.

5 - 19. Compare Matthew 24:1 - 14; Mr 13:1 - 13.

Luke 21:5

Stones. See on Mr 13:1.

Offerings [αναθημασιν] . Only here in New Testament. From ajnatiqhmi, to set up. Hence of something set up in the temple as a votive offering. Such were the golden vines presented by Herod the Great, with bunches of grapes as large as a man, and mounted above the entrance to the holy place. The magnificent porch of the temple was adorned with many such dedicated gifts, such as a golden wreath which Sosius offered after he had taken Jerusalem in conjunction with Herod; and rich flagons which Augustus and his wife had given to the sanctuary.

Gifts were bestowed by princes friendly to Israel, both on the temple and on provincial synagogues. The word ajnaqema, (Galatians 1:8, Rev.), is the same word, something devoted, and so devoted to evil and accursed. Luke uses the classical form. The other is the common or Hellenistic form. The two forms develop gradually a divergence in meaning; the one signifying devoted in a good, the other in a bad sense. The same process may be observed in other languages.

Thus knave, lad, becomes a rascal villian, a farmer, becomes a scoundrel : cunning, skilful, becomes crafty.

Luke 21:6

Behold [θεωρειτε] . See on ch. Luke 10:18.

Thrown down. See on Mr 13:2.

Luke 21:8

Deceived. Rev., rightly, led astray. See on Matthew 24:4.

In my name. See on Matthew 18:5.

Luke 21:9

Commotions [ακαταστασιας] . From aj, not, and kaqisthmi, to establish. Hence disestablishments; unsettlements. Rev., tumults.

Be not terrified [μηπτοηθητε] . Only here and ch. 24 37.

By and by [ευθεως] . Better as Rev. immediately.

Luke 21:11

Earthquakes. See on Matthew 13:8.

Famines and pestilences [λιμοικαιλοιμοι] . Some texts reverse the order of the words. A paronomasia or combination of like - sounding words : limoi, loimoi. Especially common in Paul ’s epistles.

Fearful sights [φοβητρα] . Only here in New Testament, and rare in classical Greek. In Septuagint, Isaiah 19:17. Not confined to sights, but fearful things. Rev., better, terrors. Used in medical language by Hippocrates, of fearful objects imagined by the sick.

Luke 21:13

It shall turn [αποβησεται] . Lit., turn out; issue.

Luke 21:14

To answer. See on answer, 1 Peter 3:15.

Luke 21:19

Possess ye [κτησεσθε] . Wrong. See on ch. Luke 18:12. Rev. rightly, ye shall win.

20 - 36. Compare Matthew 24:15 - 42. Mr 13:14 - 37.

Luke 21:22

Vengeance [εκδικησεως] . Of rendering full justice, or satisfaction. See on avenge, ch. 18 3.

Luke 21:23

Distress [αναγκη] . Originally constraint, necessity; thence force or violence, and in the classical poets, distress, anguish.

Luke 21:24

Edge [στοματι] . Lit., the mouth. So Wyc. Either in the sense of the foremost part, or picturing the sword as a devouring monster. In Hebrews 11:33, 34, the word is used in both senses : “the mouths of lions;” " the edge of the sword. "

Led away captive. See on captives, ch. 4 18.

Trodden down. Denoting the oppression and contempt which shall follow conquest.

Luke 21:25

Signs [σημεια] . See on Matthew 24:24.

Distress [συνοχη] . Only here and 2 Corinthians 2:4. Kindred with sunecomenh, taken (ch. 4 38), on which see note. The original idea of the word is being held in a tight grasp.

With perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring. The A. V. follows the reading hjcoushv, the participle, roaring. The proper reading is hjcouv, the noun, the roaring. Render perplexity for the roaring of the sea, etc. ‘Hcw, roaring, is properly a returned sound, an echo. Generally a ringing sound, as of the blows on an anvil.

Waves [σαλου] . Only here in New Testament. The radical notion of the word is unsteady motion, especially the rolling swell of the sea. Rev., better, billows.

Luke 21:26

Failing [αποψυχοντων] . Only here in New Testament. The word originally means to leave off breathing; to swoon. Thus Homer, when Laertes recognizes Ulysses :

“He threw Round his dear son his arms. The hardy chief, Ulysses, drew him fainting [αποψυχοντα] to his heart.” Odyssey, 24, 346.

So also Sophocles, of Hector dragged behind Achilles’ chariot :

" He breathed out his life [απεψυξενβιον] .

Ajax, 1031.

Matthew alone uses the simple verb, yucw, to breathe, or blow. See on wax cold, Matthew 24:12. Luke uses four compounds of this simple verb, all of which are peculiar to him. Compare cool, ch. 16 24; refreshing, Acts 3:19; gave up the ghost, Acts 5:5, 10.

Expectation [προσδοκιας] . Only here and Acts 12:11.

The world. See on ch. Luke 2:1.

Shall be shaken [σαλευθησονται] . Compare Matthew 11:7; Luke 6:38; Acts 4:31; Hebrews 12:26, 27. The root of the verb is the same as that of billows, ver 25.

Luke 21:28

Look up. See on ch. Luke 13:11. Graphic, as implying being previously bowed down with sorrow.

Redemption [απολυτρωσις] . See on lettest depart, ch. 2 29.

Luke 21:29

Parable. See on Matthew 24:32.

Luke 21:30

Ye see [βλεποντες] . Lit., “looking, ye know,” etc. Implying careful observation, with a view to determine the progress of the season.

Know [γινωσκετε] . Perceive would be better.

Luke 21:31

Come to pass [γινομενα] . The present participle. Rev., more correctly, “coming to pass :” in process of fulfilment. Compare Mr 13:29.

Luke 21:34

Overcharged (barhqwsin). Weighed down. Compare ch. 9 32; 2 Corinthians 5:4.

Surfeiting [κραιπαλη] . Only here in New Testament. Derivation uncertain : akin to the Latin crapula, intoxication. Trench finds an equivalent in fulsomeness, in its original sense of fulness. In the medical writings it is used of drunken nausea or headache.

Drunkenness [μεθη] . Compare are well drunk, John 2:10. This and kindred words in the New Testament always refer to intoxication, or that which intoxicates. See note on John 2:10.

Cares [μεριμναις] . See on Matthew 6:25.

Of this life [βιωτικαις] . The rendering is too general; though it might be difficult to give a better. Biov, life, means life considered either as to its duration (1 Peter 4:3); the means of support (Mr 12:44; Luke 8:43; Luke 21:4; 1 John 3:17); or the manner of leading it (1 Timothy 2:2). The meaning here is pertaining to the support or luxury of life; and so in the only other passages where it occurs, 1 Corinthians 6:3, 4. The parallel is Matthew 6:31. Wyc., business of this life.

Suddenly [αιφνιδιος] . Only here and 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

Luke 21:35

As a snare. Join with the previous sentence : “come suddenly as a snare.” Compare entangle, Matthew 22:15.

Luke 21:36

Watch. See on Mr 13:33.

Luke 21:37

Abode [ηυλιζετο] . Only here and Matthew 21:17.

Luke 21:38

Came early in the morning [ωρθριζεν] . Only here in New Testament. ===Luk22

CHAPTER XXII

1 - 6. Compare Matthew 26:17 - 19. Mr 14:12 - 16.