Description

Luke chapter 21 unfolds with Christ's final teachings in Jerusalem, moving from a scene in the Temple to the panoramic prophecies of the Olivet Discourse concerning the Temple's imminent destruction and the signs of the end times. The text intertwines two major prophetic horizons: the near future fall of Jerusalem and the far future second coming of Christ. This provides a powerful, multilayered message of faith, vigilance, and perseverance for the audience in the first century and for believers throughout history.

Date: c 80 – 90 AD

Writer: Luke "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14)

Viewpoints

The chapter can be broken down into three main sections:

1. The widow's offering.

2. The Olivet Discourse.

3. The call to watch and be ready.

Importance

The Olivet Discourse is one of the most important prophecies in the entire Bible. It bridges the gap between the Old and New Testaments by informing believers that there were still Old Testament prophecies yet to be fulfilled before the return of Christ.