Luke 21:21-24

21:21 Then those who are in Judea must flee ¹  to the mountains. Those ²  who are inside the city must depart. Those ³  who are out in the country must not enter it, 21:22 because these are days of vengeance, ⁴  to fulfill ⁵  all that is written. 21:23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! For there will be great distress ⁶  on the earth and wrath against this people. 21:24 They ⁷  will fall by the edge ⁸  of the sword and be led away as captives ⁹  among all nations. Jerusalem ¹⁰  will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. ¹¹ 

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¹ sn Fleeing to the mountains is a key OT image: Gen 19:17; Judg 6:2; Isa 15:5; Jer 16:16; Zech 14:5.

² tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

³ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

⁴ tn Or “of punishment.” This is a time of judgment.

⁵ tn The passive construction with the infinitive πλησθῆναι (plhsqhnai) has been translated as an active construction for simplicity, in keeping with contemporary English style.

⁶ sn Great distress means that this is a period of great judgment.

⁷ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

⁸ tn Grk “by the mouth of the sword” (an idiom for the edge of a sword).

⁹ sn Here is the predicted judgment against the nation until the time of Gentile rule has passed: Its people will be led away as captives.

¹⁰ tn Grk “And Jerusalem.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

¹¹ sn Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled implies a time when Israel again has a central role in God’s plan.