Luke 21:28

21:28 But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 22:49

22:49 When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we use our swords?”

Luke 23:31

23:31 For if such things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”


sn These things are all the events of vv. 8-27. Disciples represent the righteous here. The events surrounding the fall of the nation are a down payment on a fuller judgment to come on all humanity. The presence of one guarantees the other.

sn With Jesus’ return comes the manifestation of judgment and final salvation (redemption).

tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

tn The direct question using “if” in Greek is not unusual (BDF §440.3).

snShould we use our swords?” The disciples’ effort to defend Jesus recalls Luke 22:35-38. One individual did not wait for the answer.

tn Grk “if they do such things.” The plural subject here is indefinite, so the active voice has been translated as a passive (see ExSyn 402).

sn The figure of the green wood and the dry has been variously understood. Most likely the picture compares the judgment on Jesus as the green (living) wood to the worse judgment that will surely come for the dry (dead) wood of the nation.