Luke 21:20

20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.

Luke 21:20 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 21:20

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies
The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Persic versions read, "with an army"; that is, with the Roman army, as it was by the army which Titus Vespasian brought against it, and besieged it with:

then know that the desolation thereof is nigh;
signifying, that there would be no deliverance to be expected, as when the Assyrian army under Rabshakeh appeared against it; but that whenever the Roman army besieged it, its destruction might be looked upon as inevitable; nor was the siege raised until it was destroyed, which was about four years after.

Luke 21:20 In-Context

18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.
21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it;
22 for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfillment of all that is written.

Footnotes 1

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.