Luke 21:7

And they asked him,.... That is, his disciples, when they were come to the Mount of Olives, and as he sat upon that, Mat 24:3 saying, master, but when shall these things be? when the temple shall be destroyed; and one stone shall not be left upon another; and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? which shows that this refers to the destruction of the temple, and so the signs following; See Gill on Mat 24:3.

Of what should happen between that and the destruction of Jerusalem--false Christs arising, bloody wars and persecutions of Christ's followers,

These signs of the times Christ had taught them to observe. With what clearness and fulness Christ answers their enquiries, as far as was necessary to direct them in their duty; for all knowledge is desirable as far as it is in order to practice. They must expect to hear of false Christs and false prophets appearing, and false prophecies given out (

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens

The account of the destruction of Jerusalem contained in this chapter has been fully considered in the notes at Matt. 24. All that will be necessary here will be an explanation of a few words that did not occur in that chapter. Luk 21:9 Commotions - Insurrections. Subjects rising against their rulers. Luk 21:11 Fearful sights - See Mat 24:7. Luk 21:12, Luk 21:13 Synagogues, and into prisons - See the notes at Mar 13:9-

These words were a striking prophecy. An English mind can hardly conceive how strange and startling they must have sounded to Jewish ears. They were spoken of a building which every Israelite regarded with almost idolatrous veneration. They were spoken of a building which contained the ark, the holy of holies, and the symbolic furniture formed on a pattern given by God Himself. They were spoken of a building associated with most of the principal names in Jewish history; with David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

These words were a striking prophecy. An English mind can hardly conceive how strange and startling they must have sounded to Jewish ears. They were spoken of a building which every Israelite regarded with almost idolatrous veneration. They were spoken of a building which contained the ark, the holy of holies, and the symbolic furniture formed on a pattern given by God Himself. They were spoken of a building associated with most of the principal names in Jewish history; with David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah. They were spoken of a building toward which every devout Jew turned his face in every quarter of the world, when he offered up his daily prayers. (1 Kings 8:44; Jonah 2:4; Daniel 6:10.) But they were words spoken advisedly . They were spoken in order to teach us the mighty truth — that the true glory of a place of worship does not consist in outward ornaments. "The Lord does not see as man sees." (1 Samuel 16:7.) Man looks at the outward appearance of a building. The Lord looks for spiritual worship, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the temple at Jerusalem, these things were utterly lacking — and therefore Jesus Christ could take no pleasure in it. Professing Christians will do well to remember our Lord's words in the present day. It is fit and right beyond doubt that buildings set apart for Christian worship, should be worthy of the purpose for which they are used. Whatever is done for Christ, ought to be well done. The house in which the Gospel is preached, and the Word of God read, and prayer offered up — ought to lack nothing that can make it lovely and substantial. But let it never be forgotten that the material part of a Christian Church is by far the least important part of it.