Luke 21:21

Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

Then {G5119} let them {G5343} which are in {G1722} Judaea {G2449} flee {G5343} to {G1519} the mountains {G3735}; and {G2532} let them {G1633} which are in {G1722} the midst {G3319} of it {G846} depart out {G1633}; and {G2532} let {G1525} not {G3361} them that are in {G1722} the countries {G5561} enter {G1525} thereinto {G1519}{G846}.

Those in Y’hudah must escape to the hills, those inside the city must get out, and those in the country must not enter it.

Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.

Then let them that are in Judæa flee unto the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of her depart out; and let not them that are in the country enter therein.

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 21:21 (KJV)

Luke 21:21 is a crucial part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, a prophetic sermon delivered on the Mount of Olives. In this verse, Jesus issues a specific and urgent warning to His followers regarding the impending destruction of Jerusalem. It serves as a clear instruction for immediate action when certain signs appear.

Context

This verse follows Jesus' direct prophecy in Luke 21:20, where He states, "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." This specific sign—Jerusalem being surrounded by military forces—is the trigger for the instructions given in verse 21. Historians widely interpret this prophecy as referring to the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, which led to the temple's destruction and immense suffering for the Jewish people. Jesus' words provided a way of escape for those who would heed His warning.

Key Themes

  • Divine Warning and Providence: Jesus, knowing the future, provides a clear and actionable warning, demonstrating God's care for His people even in times of severe judgment.
  • Urgency and Immediate Action: The phrases "flee to the mountains," "depart out," and "let not them... enter thereinto" emphasize the critical need for swift and decisive action without delay once the signs are observed.
  • Discernment of Signs: The ability to recognize the prophetic signs given by Jesus was vital for survival. This highlights the importance of understanding and responding to God's word.
  • Separation from Impending Judgment: The command to flee is a call to separate from the place of impending judgment, illustrating a principle seen throughout biblical history.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek words used convey a strong sense of urgency and geographical specificity:

  • "Flee to the mountains" (φεύγω εἰς τὰ ὄρη - pheugo eis ta orē): Pheugo means to flee, escape, or take flight. Mountains often served as natural places of refuge and safety in ancient times. This instruction is paralleled in Matthew 24:16 and Mark 13:14.
  • "In Judaea" (ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ - en tē Ioudaia): Refers to the region of Judea, specifically surrounding Jerusalem.
  • "In the midst of it" (ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς - en mesō autēs): Points to those literally within the city of Jerusalem itself.
  • "In the countries" (ἐν ταῖς χώραις - en tais chōrais): Refers to those in the surrounding rural areas or neighboring regions, who are warned not to enter the city.

Historical Fulfillment

Historical accounts confirm that when the Roman general Cestius Gallus briefly withdrew his forces from Jerusalem in 66 AD, allowing a window of opportunity, many Christians in Jerusalem and Judea heeded Jesus' warning and fled to the city of Pella in the Decapolis, a region across the Jordan River. This timely departure saved them from the horrific siege and destruction that followed when Titus later returned in 70 AD.

Practical Application

While this prophecy had a direct historical fulfillment, its principles remain relevant:

  • Heeding God's Warnings: The verse underscores the importance of taking God's warnings seriously, whether they are about physical danger, spiritual peril, or future judgment.
  • Spiritual Discernment: Believers are called to be watchful and discerning of the times, understanding biblical prophecies and applying God's wisdom to their lives.
  • Obedience in Crisis: In moments of crisis, obedience to God's specific instructions, even if seemingly unconventional, can be the path to preservation and blessing. Just as Noah entered the ark, so too were believers to flee Jerusalem.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 6:1

    ¶ O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

  • Revelation 18:4

    And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

  • Genesis 19:17

    And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

  • Genesis 19:26

    ¶ But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

  • Numbers 16:26

    And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

  • Luke 17:31

    In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

  • Luke 17:33

    Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
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