Knowing The Word in Luke 21:5-9, Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

The “noble stones and offerings” are huge stones and golden adornments given by Herod the Great to adorn the temple he had reconstructed. The temple mount was impressive, being twice the size of the Acropolis in Athens. Jesus, however, indicates its total destruction, which happened in A.D. 70 by the Roman army. Those listening request a sign of when this will happen. Jesus does not give any one sign. Jesus says that the time of deliverance for the people is near, but he will give them a different deliverance than what people are expecting the Christ to give. “Wars and tumults” means troubles among the nations. Then Jesus indicates there will be an indefinite time before the end of the world as we know it.

Luke 21:5-9

5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”

Prayer:

Bring us, O Lord, at our last awaking

into the house and gate of heaven,

to enter into that gate and dwell in that house

where shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light;

no noise nor silence, but one equal music;

no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession;

no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity

in the habitations of your glory and dominion,

world without end.

John Donne, 1573-1631