Luke 21:24

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

And {G2532} they shall fall {G4098} by the edge {G4750} of the sword {G3162}, and {G2532} shall be led away captive {G163} into {G1519} all {G3956} nations {G1484}: and {G2532} Jerusalem {G2419} shall be {G2071} trodden down {G3961} of {G5259} the Gentiles {G1484}, until {G891} the times {G2540} of the Gentiles {G1484} be fulfilled {G4137}.

Some will fall by the edge of the sword, others will be carried into all the countries of the Goyim, and Yerushalayim will be trampled down by the Goyim until the age of the Goyim has run its course.

They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Luke 21:24 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' Olivet Discourse, a prophetic teaching delivered on the Mount of Olives concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of the end times. This verse specifically details the immediate consequences for the Jewish people and the long-term status of Jerusalem following its desolation.

Context

This verse follows Jesus' powerful prophecy about the destruction of the Temple (see Luke 21:6) and the subsequent distress upon the earth. The disciples had asked about the signs of His coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). Jesus' response in Luke 21 blends prophecies that found a partial fulfillment in the Roman-Jewish War of 66-73 AD, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, with prophecies that point to His second coming and the ultimate end of the age. Verse 24 primarily addresses the former, laying the groundwork for understanding the broader prophetic timeline.

Key Themes

  • Judgment and Dispersion: "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations." This part of the prophecy clearly foretold the immense loss of life and the widespread dispersion of the Jewish people after the siege of Jerusalem. Historical accounts confirm the brutal reality of this event, with countless Jews perishing and hundreds of thousands being taken as slaves across the Roman Empire.
  • The Desolation of Jerusalem: "and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles." The phrase "trodden down" (Greek: patoumenē) signifies subjugation, desecration, and control by foreign powers. After 70 AD, Jerusalem remained under Gentile dominion, experiencing successive periods of occupation by various empires, including Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Crusader, Ottoman, and British rule. This status highlights a period where Jerusalem's spiritual and political significance for Israel was largely suppressed under non-Jewish authority.
  • The "Times of the Gentiles": "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." This is a crucial prophetic phrase. It refers to a distinct period during which Gentile nations would dominate Jerusalem and exercise worldwide supremacy, particularly over the nation of Israel. This era began with the Babylonian exile (though Luke 21:24 focuses on the Roman destruction) and continues until a future point marked by the return of Christ and the re-establishment of Israel's full sovereignty and spiritual prominence. The fulfillment of these "times" signifies a major turning point in God's prophetic calendar, often associated with the culmination of end-time events and the ultimate restoration of Israel, as hinted at by Paul in Romans 11:25-26.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "trodden down" is patoumenē (πατουμένη), which carries the strong connotation of being trampled underfoot, oppressed, or subjected to scorn. It vividly portrays the humiliation and lack of self-rule that Jerusalem would endure. The word "fulfilled" (Greek: plērōthōsin - πληρωθῶσιν) indicates a definite completion or conclusion, implying that the "times of the Gentiles" are a divinely appointed period with a predetermined end, not an eternal state.

Practical Application and Reflection

Luke 21:24 serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign control over history and prophecy. It demonstrates Jesus' divine foresight and the certainty of His words. For believers today, this verse encourages a watchful attitude, recognizing that we are living within the "times of the Gentiles." It prompts us to consider God's ongoing plan for Israel and the world, understanding that history is moving towards a climax—the return of Christ. The eventual "fulfillment" of these times points to a future hope where God's kingdom will be fully established and Jerusalem will no longer be under Gentile dominion, but will instead be a center of God's global reign (see Zechariah 14:9). This prophecy calls us to be ready and alert, just as Jesus urges in Luke 21:36.

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.

  • Romans 11:25

    For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

  • Revelation 11:2

    But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.

  • Isaiah 63:18

    The people of thy holiness have possessed [it] but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.

  • Daniel 12:7

    And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that [it shall be] for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be finished.

  • Daniel 9:27

    And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

  • Isaiah 5:5

    And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; [and] break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:

  • Daniel 8:13

    Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain [saint] which spake, How long [shall be] the vision [concerning] the daily [sacrifice], and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
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