Luke 19:44

KJV

And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} shall lay {G1474} thee {G4571} even with the ground {G1474}, and {G2532} thy {G4675} children {G5043} within {G1722} thee {G4671}; and {G2532} they shall {G863} not {G3756} leave {G863} in {G1722} thee {G4671} one stone {G3037} upon {G1909} another {G3037}; because {G473}{G3739} thou knewest {G1097} not {G3756} the time {G2540} of thy {G4675} visitation {G1984}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and dash you to the ground, you and your children within your walls, leaving not one stone standing on another — and all because you did not recognize your opportunity when God offered it!”

Berean Standard Bible

They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

American Standard Version

and shall dash thee to the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 19:44 records Jesus' poignant prophecy concerning the utter destruction of Jerusalem and its inhabitants, a devastating judgment directly attributed to the city's failure to recognize the opportune moment of God's redemptive presence in their midst. This verse, part of Jesus' lament over the city, foretells a complete desolation where not a single stone of its magnificent structures, including the Temple, would remain upon another, and its people would suffer immense loss, all because they did not discern the "time of their visitation" by the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a moment of messianic acclamation by His disciples (Luke 19:28-40). However, as Jesus approaches the city, His joy turns to profound sorrow, and He weeps over it, lamenting its impending doom (Luke 19:41-42). The prophecy in [Luke 19:43-44](/luke/19-43-44 "Luke 19:43-44 - Jesus' Prophecy of Jerusalem's Siege and Destruction") details the exact nature of the siege and destruction, serving as a stark contrast to the earlier celebratory mood and highlighting the city's spiritual blindness despite the clear signs of His messianic identity. This passage underscores the tragic irony of the people's failure to recognize their Savior, even as He presented Himself to them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Jesus' prophecy, Jerusalem was the spiritual and political heart of Judea, under Roman occupation. The Jewish people harbored strong messianic expectations, often envisioning a political deliverer who would overthrow Roman rule. The city's crown jewel was the Second Temple, a magnificent structure rebuilt by Herod the Great, central to Jewish religious life and national identity. Jesus' prophecy of its complete destruction, "not one stone upon another," would have been shocking and almost unimaginable to His hearers. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled with chilling precision in 70 AD when the Roman legions, led by General Titus, besieged Jerusalem, culminating in the destruction of the city and the Temple, effectively ending the Jewish-Roman War and marking a cataclysmic event in Jewish history.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 19:44 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. It highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating that rejection of God's gracious overtures carries severe consequences, even for His chosen people. The specific details of the destruction underscore the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, affirming Jesus' divine foresight and the certainty of God's word. Crucially, the verse emphasizes **Spiritual Blindness** and the **Missed Divine Opportunity**. Jerusalem's failure to "know the time of thy visitation" (G1097 ginṓskō, G2540 kairós, G1984 episkopḗ) reveals a profound lack of discernment regarding God's redemptive activity through Jesus Christ. This theme resonates with other passages where Jesus laments the spiritual state of His generation, such as His woes against the unrepentant cities in [Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Woes to Unrepentant Cities") or His lament over Jerusalem in [Matthew 23:37-39](/matthew/23-37-39 "Matthew 23:37-39 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lay thee even with the ground (Greek, _edaphízō'_):** This verb (G1474) means "to raze" or "to level to the ground." It conveys a sense of complete demolition and utter devastation, far beyond mere damage. It implies that the city's defenses, buildings, and very foundations would be utterly dismantled, leaving nothing standing. This word emphasizes the totality of the impending destruction, a prophecy that was literally fulfilled in 70 AD.
* **stone (Greek, _líthos'_):** The word (G3037) refers to a literal stone, but in this context, it carries immense symbolic weight. The phrase "not leave in thee one stone upon another" refers specifically to the Temple and the city's formidable walls. The Temple was the very heart of Jewish identity and worship, built with massive stones. Its complete dismantling signified the end of an era, a profound national and religious catastrophe.
* **visitation (Greek, _episkopḗ'_):** This noun (G1984) denotes an "inspection," "oversight," or "divine intervention." In this context, it refers to God's gracious and redemptive presence in the person of Jesus Christ. It was a time when God was drawing near to His people, offering salvation, healing, and the revelation of His kingdom. The tragedy of Jerusalem was their failure to recognize and respond to this unique and critical divine opportunity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee;":** This clause pronounces a comprehensive judgment not only on the physical city but also on its inhabitants. "Lay thee even with the ground" (G1474 edaphízō) speaks to the total destruction of Jerusalem's structures and defenses. The phrase "thy children within thee" highlights the horrific human cost of the siege and destruction—the loss of life, particularly innocent lives, including women and children, trapped within the city walls. It underscores the profound sorrow Jesus felt over the impending suffering of His people.
* **"and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another;":** This part of the prophecy specifies the extent of the physical desolation, particularly targeting the magnificent Temple and the city's fortifications. The phrase "not one stone upon another" (G3037 líthos) is a hyperbole that became a literal reality. Historical accounts confirm that the Romans meticulously dismantled the Temple, searching for melted gold, fulfilling Jesus' precise prediction and leaving the site utterly desolate. This detail emphasizes the completeness and irreversible nature of the judgment.
* **"because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.":** This final clause provides the profound theological reason for Jerusalem's judgment. The city's destruction was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of its spiritual blindness and rejection of God's gracious intervention. "Knewest not" (G1097 ginṓskō) implies a failure of discernment and recognition, not mere ignorance. "The time" (G2540 kairós) refers to a specific, opportune season, a divinely appointed moment. "Thy visitation" (G1984 episkopḗ) refers to God's gracious presence in Jesus, offering salvation and revealing His kingdom. Jerusalem, despite being the center of God's covenant people, failed to recognize its Messiah and the unique opportunity for redemption He presented, sealing its tragic fate.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 19:44 employs several powerful literary devices. The primary device is **Prophecy**, as Jesus foretells a future event with remarkable precision, which was literally fulfilled in 70 AD. This serves to establish His divine authority and omniscience. The phrase "not leave in thee one stone upon another" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** that, remarkably, became a literal truth, emphasizing the absolute and devastating nature of the destruction. There is also profound **Pathos** in Jesus' lament, as His tears and words convey deep sorrow and grief over the city's impending doom, despite its rejection of Him. Furthermore, the verse contains a strong element of **Irony**: Jerusalem, the city chosen by God, the place where His Temple stood, failed to recognize and receive its own Messiah, leading to its ultimate destruction. This tragic irony underscores the theme of spiritual blindness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 19:44 stands as a stark reminder of the gravity of divine judgment and the consequences of rejecting God's gracious overtures. It reveals God's patience and desire for His people to repent, yet also His unwavering justice when His "visitation" is ignored. The destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, the very symbols of God's presence among His people, signifies a profound shift in salvation history, emphasizing that God's favor is not tied to a physical location or ethnic lineage but to a responsive heart. The "time of visitation" underscores the concept of divine opportunity—a season of grace and revelation that, if neglected, can lead to severe and irreversible consequences. This passage serves as a timeless warning against spiritual apathy and the failure to discern God's active presence and call in one's life.

* [Matthew 24:2](/matthew/24-2 "Matthew 24:2 - Jesus Predicts Temple Destruction")
* [Mark 13:2](/mark/13-2 "Mark 13:2 - The Temple's Coming Desolation")
* [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - The World Did Not Receive Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 19:44 is more than a historical prophecy; it is a profound spiritual warning and a call to discerning faith for all generations. Just as Jerusalem failed to recognize "the time of its visitation" in the person of Jesus, we too can become spiritually blind to God's presence and work in our lives and in the world around us. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of constant spiritual alertness, actively seeking to understand God's Word and discern His will. Are we recognizing the "visitations" of God in our own lives—the opportunities for repentance, growth, service, or deeper relationship that He presents? The consequences for spiritual apathy or outright rejection can be severe, not necessarily in physical destruction, but in a hardening of the heart and a missed opportunity for profound spiritual blessing and transformation. This passage calls us to humility, responsiveness, and a deep commitment to knowing and following the Lord, ensuring we do not neglect the precious time of His gracious presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be failing to recognize "the time of my visitation" in my own life today?**
* **What specific areas of my life might be characterized by spiritual blindness or apathy, and how can I invite God to open my eyes?**
* **How does the historical fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen my faith in the reliability of God's Word and the certainty of His promises and warnings?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater spiritual discernment and responsiveness to God's leading?**

### FAQ
**What does "the time of thy visitation" specifically refer to in Luke 19:44?**

Answer: "The time of thy visitation" (Greek: _kairós episkopḗ_) refers to the specific, divinely appointed period when God, in His grace, drew near to His people, Israel, through the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. It was an opportune season of divine intervention, marked by Jesus' teachings, miracles, and His presentation as the Messiah. Jerusalem's failure was not merely ignorance, but a lack of recognition and acceptance of this crucial moment of God's redemptive presence among them. This concept highlights that God offers specific seasons of grace and revelation, which, if unheeded, can lead to profound consequences.

**Was the prophecy in Luke 19:44 literally fulfilled?**

Answer: Yes, the prophecy in [Luke 19:44](/luke/19-44 "Luke 19:44 - Jesus' Prophecy of Jerusalem's Destruction") was literally and dramatically fulfilled in 70 AD. During the Jewish-Roman War, the Roman army, led by General Titus, besieged Jerusalem. The city was utterly destroyed, and the Second Temple, a magnificent structure, was systematically dismantled. Historical accounts, particularly from Josephus, confirm that the Romans left "not one stone upon another" as they sought to recover melted gold from the Temple's ruins, and the city itself was razed to the ground, just as Jesus foretold. This historical event serves as powerful evidence of Jesus' divine foresight and the accuracy of biblical prophecy.

**What is the significance of "they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another"?**

Answer: The phrase "they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another" (G3037 líthos) signifies the absolute and complete destruction of Jerusalem, particularly its Temple. The Temple was the spiritual and architectural marvel of Jerusalem, built with massive stones, symbolizing God's presence and the heart of Jewish identity. Jesus' prophecy meant that this sacred and seemingly impregnable structure would be utterly demolished, leaving no trace of its former glory. Its fulfillment in 70 AD was a profound theological statement: God's presence was no longer confined to a physical temple or a specific city, but was now accessible through Christ. It underscored the end of the Old Covenant sacrificial system and the dawn of a new era in salvation history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 19:44, while a prophecy of judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not only in the historical destruction of Jerusalem but more profoundly in the broader narrative of Christ's rejection and His establishment of a new covenant. Jerusalem's failure to recognize "the time of thy visitation" (G1984 episkopḗ) epitomizes humanity's fallen condition and its inherent blindness to divine truth, a theme echoed in [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own") where "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." Jesus, the very embodiment of God's visitation, was rejected by the very people He came to save. Yet, this rejection, though tragic for Jerusalem, became the means of salvation for all who would believe. The tearing down of the physical Temple, as prophesied, foreshadowed the dismantling of the old covenant system and the establishment of Christ as the true and living Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection as the Temple")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate "visitation" of God, offering not judgment but grace, not destruction but eternal life. The warning of Luke 19:44 thus serves as a powerful reminder for all to heed the call of the Gospel, to recognize Christ as God's ultimate "visitation," and to respond in faith before the "acceptable time" ([2 Corinthians 6:2](/2_corinthians/6-2 "2 Corinthians 6:2 - The Time of Salvation")) of salvation passes.

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

Luke 21:6

[As for] these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Luke 13:34

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not!

Luke 13:35

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.

Lamentations 1:8

Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.

1 Peter 2:12

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

John 3:18

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:21

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.