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King James Version
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
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KJV (with Strong's)
For G3754 these G3778 be G1526 the days G2250 of vengeance G1557, that all things G3956 which G3588 are written G1125 may be fulfilled G4137.
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Complete Jewish Bible
For these are the days of vengeance, when everything that has been written in the Tanakh will come true.
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Berean Standard Bible
For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
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American Standard Version
For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
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World English Bible Messianic
For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
For these be the dayes of vengeance, to fulfill all things that are written.
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Young's Literal Translation
because these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all things that have been written.
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In the KJVVerse 25,849 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Luke 21:22 stands as a profound declaration within Jesus' Olivet Discourse, asserting that the impending catastrophic events, particularly the destruction of Jerusalem, are not random occurrences but divinely appointed "days of vengeance." This verse underscores the certainty of God's sovereign plan, revealing that these judgments serve as the precise fulfillment of ancient prophecies, bringing to completion all that has been written concerning the consequences of rebellion and the unfolding of God's redemptive-historical purposes.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is situated within Jesus' extensive prophetic discourse in Luke 21, often paralleled with Matthew 24 and Mark 13. Specifically, Luke 21:22 immediately follows Jesus' vivid warnings about the siege of Jerusalem, instructing His followers to flee when they see the city surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20-21). The verse provides the theological rationale for these dire events, explaining that the calamities are not merely political or military outcomes but are divinely ordained judgments, a period of righteous retribution that will bring to pass long-foretold prophecies. It serves as a bridge, connecting the immediate historical judgment on Jerusalem to broader themes of divine justice and prophetic fulfillment that culminate in the return of the Son of Man.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The primary historical fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy in Luke 21:22 occurred in 70 AD with the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem by forces under General Titus. This event was a cataclysmic turning point for Judaism, marking the end of the Second Temple period, the cessation of sacrificial worship, and the widespread dispersion of the Jewish people (Luke 21:24). For the original audience, the concept of "days of vengeance" would resonate with Old Testament patterns where God's covenant people faced judgment for their disobedience and rejection of His prophets. The cultural understanding of divine retribution was deeply embedded in their worldview, often linked to national calamities as consequences for covenant unfaithfulness. The destruction of Jerusalem was thus understood not merely as a military defeat but as a profound act of divine judgment, a visible manifestation of God's righteous anger against a generation that had rejected its Messiah.
  • Key Themes: Luke 21:22 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights Divine Judgment and Vengeance, portraying God as a righteous judge who will ultimately bring justice upon sin and rebellion. Unlike human revenge, God's vengeance is a holy and just response, ensuring that the scales of justice are balanced. Secondly, the verse emphasizes Prophetic Fulfillment, asserting the absolute certainty and reliability of God's Word. The phrase "that all things which are written may be fulfilled" underscores that these events are not random but are the precise unfolding of divine plans prophesied throughout the Old Testament, such as those found in Isaiah 61:2 or Daniel 9:26-27. This theme reinforces the Sovereignty of God in History, demonstrating that even amidst immense suffering and destruction, God remains in ultimate control, meticulously working out His purposes and bringing His declared will to pass.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • vengeance (Greek, ekdíkēsis', G1557): This term signifies vindication or retribution. In a divine context, it refers to God's righteous and just response to injustice, sin, or rebellion, bringing about a righteous outcome rather than personal spite or malice. It implies the execution of divine justice, not an act of emotional retaliation.
  • written (Greek, gráphō', G1125): This primary verb means "to grave" or "to write," and figuratively, "to describe." In this context, it refers to the prophetic declarations found in the Old Testament Scriptures that foretold periods of judgment and the consequences of national apostasy, particularly for Israel.
  • fulfilled (Greek, plēróō', G4137): This verb means "to make replete," "to accomplish," or "to verify (a prediction)." In the context of prophecy, it denotes the complete and precise realization of what was foretold, signifying that the events described are not merely partial or symbolic, but the full and undeniable accomplishment of God's declared word.

Verse Breakdown

  • "For these be the days of vengeance": This clause provides the theological explanation for the preceding warnings of destruction. It declares that the impending period of suffering and calamity is not accidental or merely a consequence of human conflict, but a divinely appointed time of righteous judgment. "Vengeance" here is God's just recompense for the nation's rejection of Him and His Messiah, a culmination of historical disobedience.
  • "that all things which are written may be fulfilled": This second clause clarifies the purpose and certainty of these "days of vengeance." The destruction and suffering are not arbitrary but are the precise and inevitable fulfillment of prophecies recorded in the Old Testament. This emphasizes God's faithfulness to His word and His sovereign control over history, ensuring that every divine declaration, particularly those concerning judgment and the unfolding of His plan, will come to pass exactly as foretold.

Literary Devices

Luke 21:22 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is Prophecy, as the entire verse is a direct prophetic declaration from Jesus concerning future events. This prophecy functions as a warning and an explanation for the impending destruction of Jerusalem. The phrase "days of vengeance" serves as a Metonymy, where "days" represents a period characterized by divine retribution, effectively standing for the entire era of judgment. Furthermore, the statement "that all things which are written may be fulfilled" utilizes Allusion to the vast body of Old Testament prophecies concerning judgment and the restoration of Israel. This phrase also embodies Divine Passive, implying that the fulfillment of these prophecies is not by human agency alone but is ultimately orchestrated by God Himself. The certainty implied by "may be fulfilled" underscores the Infallibility of God's word.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Luke 21:22 profoundly reveals God's character as both just and faithful to His word. The "days of vengeance" speak to God's righteous indignation against sin and rebellion, particularly against a people who had repeatedly rejected His covenant and ultimately His Son. This is not a vengeful act driven by malice, but a holy and necessary execution of justice that brings about a righteous outcome. Simultaneously, the verse underscores the absolute certainty of God's prophetic declarations. The fact that "all things which are written may be fulfilled" testifies to God's meticulous sovereignty over human history, demonstrating that His purposes, even those involving severe judgment, are meticulously brought to pass. This provides a foundational assurance that all of God's promises, whether of judgment or salvation, are utterly reliable.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Luke 21:22 serves as a powerful reminder of the solemn reality of divine judgment and the unwavering truthfulness of God's Word. For believers today, this verse should cultivate a deep reverence for God's justice, understanding that while He is merciful and patient, there are indeed times when His righteous judgment will be fully executed. The historical fulfillment of this prophecy in 70 AD stands as a tangible testament to the reliability of all of God's promises and warnings, including those concerning Christ's ultimate return and the final judgment of the world. This should inspire a profound confidence in the Scriptures, encouraging us to live lives that reflect our trust in His unfailing word and to take His warnings seriously. It calls us to spiritual preparedness, motivating us to seek repentance, live righteously, and remain watchful, recognizing that we live in a world where God's sovereign purposes are continually unfolding.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the certainty of God's prophetic fulfillment, as seen in this verse, shape my trust in His Word today?
  • In what ways does understanding God's justice, as expressed in "days of vengeance," influence my view of sin and righteousness?
  • What practical steps can I take to live in a state of watchfulness and spiritual preparedness, knowing that God's purposes will be fully accomplished?

FAQ

Was Luke 21:22 primarily fulfilled in 70 AD, or does it have a future fulfillment?

Answer: The primary and most immediate historical fulfillment of Luke 21:22 is widely understood by scholars to be the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies in 70 AD. Jesus' specific warnings about Jerusalem being surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20) and the subsequent "treading down" of the city (Luke 21:24) align precisely with these historical events. However, within the broader Olivet Discourse, these events also serve as a pattern or type for the ultimate eschatological judgment that will occur at Christ's second coming. While the immediate prophecy was fulfilled, the principles of divine judgment and prophetic certainty extend to the final consummation of all things.

What is the difference between God's "vengeance" and human revenge?

Answer: The Greek word for "vengeance" in Luke 21:22 is ekdíkēsis (G1557), which carries the connotation of vindication, retribution, or the execution of justice. Unlike human revenge, which is often driven by personal malice, spite, or a desire for retaliation, God's vengeance is rooted in His perfect righteousness and holiness. It is a just and holy response to sin, rebellion, and injustice, designed to uphold His moral order and bring about a righteous outcome. God's vengeance is always righteous, proportionate, and serves to establish justice, as seen in passages like Romans 12:19.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Luke 21:22 speaks of "days of vengeance" primarily fulfilled in the judgment upon Jerusalem, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in Jesus' dual role as both the object of rejection and the agent of divine judgment, yet also the ultimate deliverer. The "vengeance" described is a consequence of humanity's rebellion against God, culminating in the rejection of His Son. Yet, Christ's first coming was not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). He absorbed the full "vengeance" of God against sin on the cross, becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). However, His second coming will usher in the final "day of vengeance" for those who have rejected Him, when He will return "in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). Thus, the judgment on Jerusalem foreshadows the ultimate judgment of the world, from which Christ alone provides salvation, offering refuge and deliverance to all who trust in Him, thereby fulfilling the prophetic declarations of God's righteous justice and His gracious salvation.

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Commentary on Luke 21 verses 20–28

Having given them an idea of the times for about thirty-eight years next ensuing, he here comes to show them what all those things would issue in at last, namely, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the utter dispersion of the Jewish nation, which would be a little day of judgment, a type and figure of Christ's second coming, which was not so fully spoken of here as in the parallel place (Mt. 24), yet glanced at; for the destruction of Jerusalem would be as it were the destruction of the world to those whose hearts were bound up in it.

I. He tells them that they should see Jerusalem besieged, compassed with armies (Luk 21:20), the Roman armies; and, when they saw this, they might conclude that its desolation was nigh, for in this the siege would infallibly end, though it might be a long siege. Note, As in mercy, so in judgment, when God begins, he will make an end.

II. He warns them, upon this signal given, to shift for their own safety (Luk 21:21): "Then let them that are in Judea quit the country and flee to the mountains; let them that are in the midst of it" (Of Jerusalem) "depart out, before the city be closely shut up, and" (as we say now) "before the trenches be opened; and let not them that are in the countries and villages about enter into the city, thinking to be safe there. Do you abandon a city and country which you see God has abandoned and given up to ruin. Come out of her, my people."

III. He foretels the terrible havoc that should be made of the Jewish nation (Luk 21:22): Those are the days of vengeance so often spoken of by the Old Testament prophets, which would complete the ruin of that provoking people. All their predictions must now be fulfilled, and the blood of all the Old Testament martyrs must now be required. All things that are written must be fulfilled at length. After days of patience long abused, there will come days of vengeance; for reprieves are not pardons. The greatness of that destruction is set forth, 1. By the inflicting cause of it. It is wrath upon this people, the wrath of God, that will kindle this devouring consuming fire. 2. By the particular terror it would be to women with child, and poor mothers that are nurses. Woe to them, not only because they are most subject to frights, and least able to shift for their own safety, but because it will be a very great torment to them to think of having borne and nursed children for the murderers. 3. By the general confusion that should be all the nation over. There shall be great distress in the land, for men will not know what course to take, nor how to help themselves.

IV. He describes the issue of the struggles between the Jews and the Romans, and what they will come to at last; in short, 1. Multitudes of them shall fall by the edge of the sword. It is computed that in those wars of the Jews there fell by the sword above eleven hundred thousand. And the siege of Jerusalem was, in effect, a military execution. 2. The rest shall be led away captive; not into one nations, as when they were conquered by the Chaldeans, which gave them an opportunity of keeping together, but into all nations, which made it impossible for them to correspond with each other, much less to incorporate. 3. Jerusalem itself was trodden down of the Gentiles. The Romans, when they had made themselves masters of it, laid it quite waste, as a rebellious and bad city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and therefore hateful to them.

V. He describes the great frights that people should generally be in. Many frightful sights shall be in the sun, moon, and stars, prodigies in the heavens, and here in this lower world, the sea and the waves roaring, with terrible storms and tempests, such as had not been known, and above the ordinary working of natural causes. The effect of this shall be universal confusion and consternation upon the earth, distress of nations with perplexity, Luk 21:25. Dr. Hammond understands by the nations the several governments or tetrarchies of the Jewish nation, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee; these shall be brought to the last extremity. Men's hearts shall fail them for fear (Luk 21:26), apopsuchontōn anthrōpōn - men being quite exanimated, dispirited, unsouled, dying away for fear. Thus those are killed all the day long by whom Christ's apostles were so (Rom 8:36), that is, they are all the day long in fear of being killed; sinking under that which lies upon them, and yet still trembling for fear of worse, and looking after those things which are coming upon the world. When judgment begins at the house of God, it will not end there; it shall be as if all the world were falling in pieces; and where can any be secure then? The powers of heaven shall be shaken, and then the pillars of the earth cannot but tremble. Thus shall the present Jewish policy, religion, laws, and government, be all entirely dissolved by a series of unparalleled calamities, attended with the utmost confusion. So Dr. Clarke. But our Saviour makes use of these figurative expressions because at the end of time they shall be literally accomplished, when the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll, and all their powers not only shaken, but broken, and the earth and all the works that are therein shall be burnt up, Pe2 3:10, Pe2 3:12. As that day was all terror and destruction to the unbelieving Jews, so the great day will be to all unbelievers.

VI. He makes this to be a kind of appearing of the Son of man: Then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory, Luk 21:27. The destruction of Jerusalem was in a particular manner an act of Christ's judgment, the judgment committed to the Son of man; his religion could never be thoroughly established but by the destruction of the temple, and the abolishing of the Levitical priesthood and economy, after which even the converted Jews, and many of the Gentiles too, were still hankering, till they were destroyed; so that it might justly be looked upon as a coming of the Son of man, in power and great glory, yet not visibly, but in the clouds; for in executing such judgments as these clouds and darkness are round about him. Now this was, 1. An evidence of the first coming of the Messiah; so some understand it. Then the unbelieving Jews shall be confined, when it is too late, that Jesus was the Messiah; those that would not see him coming in the power of his grace to save them shall be made to see him coming in the power of his wrath to destroy them; those that would not have him to reign over them shall have him to triumph over them. 2. It was an earnest of his second coming. Then in the terrors of that day they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud, and all the terrors of the last day. They shall see a specimen of it, a faint resemblance of it. If this be so terrible, what will that be?

VII. He encourages all the faithful disciples in reference to the terrors of that day (Luk 21:28): "When these things begin to come to pass, when Jerusalem is besieged, and every thing is concurring to the destruction of the Jews, then do you look up, when others are looking down, look heavenward, in faith, hope, and prayer, and lift up your heads with cheerfulness and confidence, for your redemption draws night." 1. When Christ came to destroy the Jews, he came to redeem the Christians that were persecuted and oppressed by them; then had the churches rest. 2. When he comes to judge the world at the last day, he will redeem all that are his, from all their grievances. And the foresight of that day is as pleasant to all good Christians as it is terrible to the wicked and ungodly. Their death itself is so; when they see that day approaching, they can lift up their heads with joy, knowing that their redemption draws nigh, their removal to their Redeemer.

VIII. Here is one word of prediction that looks further than the destruction of the Jewish nation, which is not easily understood; we have it in Luk 21:24 : Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, till the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 1. Some understand it of what is past; so Dr. Hammond. The Gentiles, who have conquered Jerusalem, shall keep possession of it, and it shall be purely Gentile, till the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled, till a great part of the Gentile world shall have become Christian, and then after Jerusalem shall have been rebuilt by Adrian the emperor, with an exclusion of all the Jews from it, many of the Jews shall turn Christians, shall join with the Gentile Christians, to set up a church in Jerusalem, which shall flourish there for a long time. 2. Others understand it of what is yet to come; so Dr. Whitby. Jerusalem shall be possessed by the Gentiles, of one sort or other, for the most part, till the time come when the nations that yet remain infidels shall embrace the Christian faith, when the kingdoms of this world shall become Christ's kingdoms, and then all the Jews shall be converted. Jerusalem shall be inhabited by them, and neither they nor their city any longer trodden down by the Gentiles.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 20–28. Public domain.
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Hippolytus of RomeAD 235
Hippolytus Dogmatical and Historical Fragments
These things, then, being to come to pass, beloved, and the one week being divided into two parts, and the abomination of desolation being manifested then, and the two prophets and forerunners of the Lord having finished their course, and the whole world finally approaching the consummation, what remains but the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from heaven, for whom we have looked in hope? who shall bring the conflagration and just judgment upon all who have refused to believe on Him. For the Lord says, "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." "And there shall not a hair of your head perish." "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together." Now the fall took place in paradise; for Adam fell there. And He says again, "Then shall the Son of man send His angels, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds of heaven." And David also, in announcing prophetically the judgment and coming of the Lord, says, "His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and His circuit unto the end of the heaven: and there is no one hid from the heat thereof." By the heat he means the conflagration. And Esaias speaks thus: "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chamber, (and) shut thy door: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation of the Lord be overpast." And Paul in like manner: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth of God in unrighteousness."
Eusebius of Caesarea (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 339
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
By the desolation of Jerusalem, He means that it was never again to be set up, or its legal rites to be reestablished, so that no one should expect, after the coming siege and desolation, any restoration to take place, as there was in the time of the Persian king, Antiochus the Great, and Pompey.

Now our Lord, foreseeing that there would be a famine in the city, warned His disciples in the siege that was coming, not to betake themselves to the city as a place of refuge, and under God's protection, but rather to depart from thence, and flee to the mountains.

For so in truth it was, that when the Romans came and were taking the city, many multitudes of the Jewish people perished in the mouth of the sword; as it follows, And they shall fall by the edge of the sword. But still more were cut off by famine. And these things happened at first indeed under Titus and Vespasian, but after them in the time of Hadrian the Roman general, when the land of their birth was forbidden to the Jews. Hence it follows, And they shall be led away captive into all nations. For the Jews filled the whole land, reaching even to the ends of the earth, and when their land was inhabited by strangers, they alone could not enter it; as it follows, And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.26
Woe to those pregnant women, because they are heavy in body; they are too slow to escape danger. Woe to those for whom the yet unfelt pangs of future birth, by which every body is shaken, are the signs of future judgment, the beginnings of sorrows.
Ambrose of Milan (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 397
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
For the Jews thought that the abomination of desolation took place when the Romans, in mockery of a Jewish observance, cast a pig's head into the temple.

Now mystically, the abomination of desolation is the coming of Antichrist, for with ill-omened sacrilege he pollutes the innermost recesses of the heart, sitting as it is literally in the temple, that he may claim to himself the throne of divine power. But according to the spiritual meaning, he is well brought in, because he desires to impress firmly on the affections the footstep of his unbelief, disputing from the Scriptures that he is Christ. Then shall come desolation, for very many falling away shall depart from the true religion. Then shall be the day of the Lord, since as His first coming was to redeem sin, so also His second shall be to subdue iniquity, lest more should be carried away by the error of unbelief. There is also another Antichrist, that is, the Devil, who is trying to besiege Jerusalem, i. e. the peaceful soul, with the hosts of his law. When then the Devil is in the midst of the temple, there is the desolation of abomination. But when upon any one in trouble the spiritual presence of Christ has shone, the unjust one is cast out, and righteousness begins her reign. There is also a third Antichrist, as Arius and Sabellius and all who with evil purpose lead us astray. But these are they who are with child, to whom woe is denounced, who enlarge the size of their flesh, and the step of whose inmost soul waxes slow, as those who are worn out in virtue, pregnant with vice. But neither do those with child escape condemnation, who though firm in the resolution of good acts, have not yet yielded any fruits of the work undertaken. These are those which conceive from fear of God, but do not all bring forth. For there are some which thrust forth the word abortive before their delivery. There are others too which have Christ in the womb, but have not yet formed Him. Therefore she who brings forth righteousness, brings forth Christ. Let us also hasten to nourish our children, lest the day of judgment or death find us as it were the parents of an imperfect offspring. And this you will do if you keep all the words of righteousness in your heart, and wait not the time of old age, but in your earliest years, without corruption of your body, quickly conceive wisdom, quickly nourish it. But at the end shall all Judæa be made subject to the nations which shall believe, by the mouth of the spiritual sword, which is the two-edged word. (Rev. 1:16; 19:15.)
John Chrysostom (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 407
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(adv. oppug. mon. vit.) He next assigns the cause of what he had just now said, For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. For the miseries that took hold of them were such as, in the words of Josephus, no calamity can henceforth compare to them.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
LETTER 199
Anyone can see that he refers to that city when Christ says, "When you shall see Jerusalem surrounded by an army, then know that its desolation is near." Anyone can see that these words refer to the last coming of the Lord when he says, "When you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is near." When he says, "Alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be." This passage is phrased in this way in Matthew and Mark so that it is uncertain whether it is to be understood of the destruction of the city or of the end of the world.… Luke has so arranged it that it seems to refer to the destruction of that city.
Augustine of Hippo (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 430
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(ad Hesych. Ep. 199.) These words of our Lord, Luke has here related to show, that the abomination of desolation which was prophesied by Daniel, and of which Matthew and Mark had spoken, (Mat. 24, Mark 13.) was fulfilled at the siege of Jerusalem.

(ut sup.) And before this, Matthew and Mark said, And let him that is on the housetop not come down into his house; and Mark added, neither enter therein to take any thing out of his house; in place of which Luke subjoins, And let them which are in the midst of it depart out.

(uti sup.) But where Matthew and Mark have written, Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes, Luke adds more clearly, And let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto, for these be the days of vengeance, that all the things which are written may be fulfilled.

(ubi sup.) Then Luke follows in words similar to those of the other two; But woe to them that are with child, and them that give suck in those days; and thus has made plain what might otherwise have been doubtful, namely, that what was said of the abomination of desolation belonged not to the end of the world, but the taking of Jerusalem.
Cyril of AlexandriaAD 444
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 139
To make his prediction even clearer and to mark more plainly the time of its capture, Jesus says, “When you have seen Jerusalem surrounded with armies, then know that its destruction is near.” Afterwards, he again transfers his words from this subject to the time of the consummation. He says, “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Since creation begins to be changed and brings unendurable terrors on the inhabitants of earth, there will be a certain fearful tribulation. There will also be souls departing to death. The unendurable fear of those things that are coming will be sufficient for the destruction of many.
Gregory the Dialogist (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 604
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(Hom. 35. in Ev.) By patience then we possess our souls, because when we are said to govern ourselves, we begin to possess that very thing which we are. But for this reason, the possession of the soul is laid in the virtue of patience, because patience is the root and guardian of all virtues. Now patience is to endure calmly the evils which are inflicted by others, and also to have no feeling of indignation against him who inflicts them.
Bede (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 735
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Hitherto our Lord had been speaking of those things which were to come to pass for forty years, the end not yet coming. He now describes the very end itself of the desolation, which was accomplished by the Roman army; as it is said, And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed, &c.

(Ecc. Hist. lib. iii. c. 5.) The ecclesiastical history relates, that all the Christians who were in Judæa, when the destruction of Jerusalem was approaching, being warned of the Lord, departed from that place, and dwelt beyond the Jordan in a city called Pella, until the desolation of Judæa was ended.

But how, while the city was already compassed with an army, were they to depart out? except that the preceding word "then" is to be referred, not to the actual time of the siege, but the period just before, when first the armed soldiers began to disperse themselves through the parts of Galilee and Samaria.

And these are the days of vengeance, that is, the days exacting vengeance for our Lord's blood.

He says then, Woe to them that nurse, or give suck, as some interpret it, whose womb or arms now heavy with the burden of children, cause no slight obstacle to the speed of flight.

Which indeed the Apostle makes mention of when he says, Blindness in part is happened to Israel, and so all Israel shall be saved. (Rom. 11:25.) Which when it shall have gained the promised salvation, hopes not rashly to return to the land of its fathers.
Theophylact of Ohrid (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 1107
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
But some say that the Lord hereby signified the devouring of children, which Josephus also relates.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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