Luke 19:44

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.

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}.

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!”

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.”

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.

Context

Luke 19:44 is part of Jesus' lament over Jerusalem, occurring immediately after His triumphal entry into the city (Luke 19:28-40). As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He weeps over it, foreseeing its tragic future. This verse specifically describes the devastating judgment that would befall the city and its inhabitants. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD when the Roman army, led by Titus, besieged and destroyed Jerusalem, including the Second Temple, leaving no stone upon another, exactly as Jesus foretold. This event brought an end to the Jewish-Roman War and marked a pivotal moment in Jewish history.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Prophetic Fulfillment: The verse stands as a powerful prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction, demonstrating Jesus' omniscience and the certainty of God's judgment on those who reject His truth. The detail "not leave in thee one stone upon another" highlights the completeness of the desolation, which was literally fulfilled.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Blindness: The core reason for Jerusalem's destruction is stated: "because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." This emphasizes the profound tragedy of failing to recognize God's redemptive presence in their midst. The city, despite being the center of God's covenant people, missed the Messiah's coming.
  • The Time of Opportunity: The phrase "time of thy visitation" speaks to a specific period when God drew near to His people, offering salvation and revealing Himself through Jesus Christ. Their failure to discern and respond to this divine opportunity led to severe consequences. This serves as a warning about the importance of spiritual discernment and responsiveness to God's overtures.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "visitation" is episkopē (ἐπισκοπή). It carries the meaning of an "inspection," "oversight," or "divine intervention." In this context, it refers to the period when God, through Jesus, visited His people, offering grace, teaching, and demonstrating His power. Jerusalem's failure was not merely ignorance, but a lack of recognition and acceptance of this divine, crucial moment.

Related Scriptures

This prophecy echoes Jesus' earlier lament over Jerusalem found in Luke 19:41-42, where He first expresses His sorrow and desire for the city to know the things that make for peace. The specific detail of the Temple's destruction is also found in other Gospels, such as Matthew 24:2 and Mark 13:2. The broader theme of the world not recognizing Christ's coming is also touched upon in John 1:11, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not."

Practical Application

Luke 19:44 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It calls believers to:

  • Exercise Spiritual Discernment: We must be diligent in understanding God's Word and recognizing His presence and work in our lives and in the world today. Are we aware of "the time of our visitation"—the opportunities God gives us to respond to Him?
  • Avoid Spiritual Apathy: The verse highlights the danger of complacency and spiritual blindness. It's crucial to actively engage with God's truth rather than passively ignore it.
  • Understand Consequences: While God is merciful, there are consequences for rejecting His grace and failing to heed His warnings. This verse reminds us that divine opportunities, if neglected, may not return in the same way.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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