Luke 13:35

KJV

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold {G2400}, your {G5216} house {G3624} is left {G863} unto you {G5213} desolate {G2048}: and {G1161} verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213},{G3754} Ye shall {G1492} not {G3364} see {G1492} me {G3165}, until {G2193}{G302} the time come {G2240} when {G3753} ye shall say {G2036}, Blessed {G2127} is he that cometh {G2064} in {G1722} the name {G3686} of the Lord {G2962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Look! God is abandoning your house to you! I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai!’”

Berean Standard Bible

Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

American Standard Version

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 13:35 concludes Jesus' profound lament over Jerusalem, serving as a solemn prophetic declaration of the impending desolation of the city and the Jewish nation due to their rejection of Him as the Messiah. It simultaneously offers a glimpse of future hope, foretelling a time when Israel will genuinely recognize and welcome Him with the messianic acclamation, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic conclusion of Jesus' poignant lament over Jerusalem, a passage also paralleled in [Matthew 23:37-39](/matthew/23-37-39 "Matthew 23:37-39 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem"). Immediately preceding this lament, Jesus has been teaching about the urgency of repentance, the narrow gate to salvation ([Luke 13:24](/luke/13-24 "Luke 13:24 - Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate")), and the judgment that awaits those who fail to recognize God's appointed time of visitation. His lament underscores the deep sorrow He feels for the city's spiritual blindness and its impending doom, framing His final departure from Jerusalem before His passion with a powerful, sorrowful prophecy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' words are deeply rooted in the historical and cultural realities of first-century Judaism. Jerusalem was the spiritual and political heart of the Jewish nation, housing the revered Temple, the center of their worship and identity. The phrase "your house" would immediately evoke images of the Temple and, by extension, the entire nation of Israel. The Jewish people were under Roman occupation, yet they held fervent messianic expectations for a political deliverer. Jesus, however, presented a spiritual kingdom, which many, particularly the religious leaders, failed to grasp or accept. The prophecy of desolation would tragically be fulfilled in 70 AD with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, a cataclysmic event that fundamentally reshaped Jewish history.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 13:35 contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences of Rejection**, demonstrating that God's patience has limits and that rejecting His Son leads to severe repercussions. It also underscores **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as Jesus' words accurately foretold future events. Furthermore, the verse introduces the theme of **Future Hope and Restoration**, particularly for Israel, suggesting that despite immediate judgment, there will be a future time of national repentance and recognition of the Messiah, echoing the hope found in passages like [Romans 11:25-27](/romans/11-25-27 "Romans 11:25-27 - The Restoration of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **desolate (Greek, _érēmos'_):** This term (G2048) conveys a strong sense of being abandoned, deserted, or laid waste. While it can describe a physical wilderness, here it signifies not only the impending physical destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple but also a spiritual emptiness and the withdrawal of God's protective presence and blessing due to Israel's unbelief and rejection of their Messiah.
* **see (Greek, _eídō'_):** The verb (G1492) means "to see" literally or figuratively, and by implication, "to know" or "perceive." In this context, "Ye shall not see me" implies a cessation of Jesus' physical presence among them and a spiritual blindness that prevents them from recognizing Him as the Messiah, until a future, transformative moment of national recognition.
* **cometh (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This primary verb (G2064) means "to come or go" in a variety of applications. In the phrase "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord," it refers to the Messiah, the one who comes with divine authority and commission. It points to both Jesus' first coming, when He was rejected, and His future return, when He will be welcomed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate:"** This opening clause is a stark prophetic declaration. "Behold" (G2400, _idoú'_) calls for immediate attention to the gravity of the statement. "Your house" (G3624, _oîkos'_) primarily refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the spiritual heart of Israel, but also extends to the city itself and, by extension, the nation. "Is left unto you desolate" (G863, _aphíēmi'_ and G2048, _érēmos'_) signifies a divine abandonment and the impending ruin of Jerusalem, which would culminate in the Temple's destruction in 70 AD. It implies a withdrawal of God's favor and protection due to the nation's rejection of His Son.
* **"and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me,"** This segment emphasizes the certainty of Jesus' departure and the spiritual separation that would ensue. "Verily" (G281, _amḗn'_) underscores the truth and solemnity of Jesus' words. "Ye shall not see me" (G1492, _eídō'_ and G3364, _ou mḗ'_ for a strong negative) indicates that Jesus' physical presence would be removed from them, and more profoundly, they would remain spiritually blind to His identity as Messiah. This period of spiritual blindness and physical absence would persist.
* **"until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord."** This final clause introduces a future hope and a condition for Jesus' return. "Until [the time] come" (G2193, _héōs'_ and G2240, _hḗkō'_) points to a specific, divinely appointed future moment. The phrase "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" (G2127, _eulogéō'_ and G2064, _érchomai'_ and G3686, _ónoma'_ and G2962, _kýrios'_) is a direct quotation from [Psalm 118:26](/psalm/118-26 "Psalm 118:26 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"), a messianic psalm. While this was shouted by the crowds during Jesus' Triumphal Entry, here it signifies a future, genuine, and national acknowledgment of Him as the Messiah, indicating that His return is contingent upon Israel's collective repentance and welcome.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 13:35 is rich with literary devices that amplify its profound message. The most prominent is **Prophecy**, as Jesus foretells the future desolation of Jerusalem and the Temple, which was tragically fulfilled in 70 AD. This prophetic declaration is delivered with a tone of **Lament**, reflecting Jesus' deep sorrow and compassion for the city He loves, despite its impending judgment. The phrase "your house" functions as **Symbolism**, representing not just the physical Temple but also the entire nation of Israel and its spiritual identity. The verse also employs **Allusion**, directly quoting [Psalm 118:26](/psalm/118-26 "Psalm 118:26 - A Messianic Psalm"), a key messianic passage that highlights the paradox of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone, and foreshadows a future time of acceptance. The strong double negative "Ye shall not see me" (οὐ μὴ ἴδητέ με) is a form of **Emphatic Negation**, underscoring the absolute certainty of His absence until the specified condition is met.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 13:35 encapsulates profound theological truths regarding God's justice, His covenant relationship with Israel, and the ultimate triumph of His redemptive plan. It reveals that rejection of God's appointed messenger leads to severe consequences, yet it simultaneously holds open the door for future repentance and restoration. The "desolation" signifies a period of divine discipline and the temporary withdrawal of God's manifest presence from a people who refused to recognize their "time of visitation" ([Luke 19:44](/luke/19-44 "Luke 19:44 - The Time of Visitation")). However, the conditional "until" clause points to God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises, indicating that Israel's rejection is not final but will one day give way to a national spiritual awakening and recognition of their Messiah.

* [Psalm 118:26](/psalm/118-26 "Psalm 118:26 - The Blessed One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord")
* [Matthew 23:37-39](/matthew/23-37-39 "Matthew 23:37-39 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem and Its Future Hope")
* [Romans 11:25-27](/romans/11-25-27 "Romans 11:25-27 - The Mystery of Israel's Partial Hardening and Future Salvation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 13:35 serves as a potent reminder of the critical importance of recognizing and responding to God's presence and truth in our lives. Just as Jerusalem faced desolation for failing to welcome its Messiah, individuals and communities today risk spiritual barrenness and separation from God if they refuse to embrace the truth of Christ. This verse calls us to cultivate spiritual discernment, to actively seek and understand God's will, and to humbly submit to His authority. It challenges any complacency or stubbornness that might prevent us from receiving the Lord. Furthermore, the future hope embedded in the verse encourages believers to live with anticipation for Christ's return, knowing that He will ultimately be universally acknowledged. This anticipation should fuel our mission to share the gospel, preparing others to welcome Him when He comes again. We are called to be vigilant, to heed spiritual warnings, and to live in a posture of readiness and obedience, ensuring that our "house" is not found desolate, but rather filled with the presence and praise of the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be prone to spiritual complacency or a failure to recognize God's "visitation" in our lives?**
* **What does "desolation" mean in a personal or spiritual sense, and how can I guard against it?**
* **How does the future hope expressed in this verse impact my daily living and my anticipation of Christ's return?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure I am truly prepared to say, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord," both now and in the future?**

### FAQ
**What does "your house is left unto you desolate" specifically refer to?**

Answer: The phrase "your house" primarily refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which was the spiritual and national center for the Jewish people. By extension, it also encompasses the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel as a whole. The declaration that it is "left unto you desolate" is a prophetic judgment signifying God's withdrawal of His protective presence and blessing due to Israel's rejection of Jesus as their Messiah. This prophecy was tragically fulfilled in 70 AD when the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, leaving it in ruins. It speaks to both physical destruction and a profound spiritual abandonment.

**When will the Jewish people say, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord," as Jesus predicted?**

Answer: Jesus' prediction points to a future, genuine, and national acknowledgment of Him as the Messiah by the Jewish people. While crowds shouted this phrase during His Triumphal Entry ([Luke 19:38](/luke/19-38 "Luke 19:38 - The Triumphal Entry")), Jesus implies a deeper, collective spiritual recognition that has not yet occurred on a national scale. Many biblical scholars believe this will happen during the end times, particularly at His Second Coming, when Israel will look upon Him whom they have pierced and mourn for Him ([Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - Looking on Him Whom They Pierced")). This future repentance and recognition will usher in a period of restoration for Israel, as described in passages like [Romans 11:26](/romans/11-26 "Romans 11:26 - All Israel Will Be Saved").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 13:35 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus as the rejected Messiah who will ultimately be received. Jesus, the Son of God, came to His own, yet His own did not receive Him ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). His lament over Jerusalem encapsulates the heart of God, grieving over humanity's persistent rebellion and spiritual blindness. The declaration of "desolation" foreshadows the consequences of rejecting the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). However, the conditional "until" clause points to the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive plan through Christ. It anticipates the day when Israel, and indeed all nations, will recognize Jesus as their true King and Messiah, echoing the universal acclamation of His Lordship as every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). Thus, this verse beautifully bridges Jesus' first coming as the suffering servant ([Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")) with His glorious second coming as the conquering King ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")), when He will finally be welcomed with the very blessing that was once denied Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 118:26

Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

Mark 11:9

And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

Mark 11:10

Blessed [be] the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

Matthew 21:9

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

John 14:19

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

John 14:23

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 12:13

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed [is] the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.