Luke 13:35
Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἶκος
house
G3624
οἶκος
house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
5 of 27
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
ἔρημος·
desolate
G2048
ἔρημος·
desolate
Strong's:
G2048
Word #:
7 of 27
lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)
ἀμὴν
verily
G281
ἀμὴν
verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
8 of 27
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
G3754
οὐ
G3756
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
14 of 27
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἴδητέ
Ye shall
G1492
ἴδητέ
Ye shall
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
16 of 27
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ἕως
until
G2193
ἕως
until
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
17 of 27
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
ἥξῃ,
the time come
G2240
ἥξῃ,
the time come
Strong's:
G2240
Word #:
19 of 27
to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)
Εὐλογημένος
Blessed
G2127
Εὐλογημένος
Blessed
Strong's:
G2127
Word #:
22 of 27
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρχόμενος
is he that cometh
G2064
ἐρχόμενος
is he that cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
24 of 27
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Psalms 118:26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.Matthew 21:9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.John 12:13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.Zechariah 12:10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Historical Context
Within one generation of Jesus' prophecy, the temple was destroyed (AD 70), never rebuilt. The phrase 'Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord' quotes Psalm 118:26, which crowds had shouted during Jesus' triumphal entry (Luke 19:38). Their rejection turned blessing to judgment, but Jesus promises future restoration when Israel will genuinely acknowledge Him as Messiah. This fits the prophetic pattern of judgment followed by restoration (Deuteronomy 30:1-6, Hosea 5:15-6:3).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the shift from calling the temple God's house to your house mark the tragic consequence of rejecting Christ?
- What does the promise of future recognition teach about God's faithfulness to His covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus declares: 'Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord' (ἰδοὺ ἀφίεται ὑμῖν ὁ οἶκος ὑμῶν ἔρημος· λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐ μή με ἴδητε ἕως ἥξει ὅτε εἴπητε, Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου). 'Your house' (ὁ οἶκος ὑμῶν) likely refers to the temple, once called 'my Father's house' (John 2:16) but now abandoned by God. The passive 'aphietai' (ἀφίεται, is left) indicates divine judgment—God withdraws His presence. The future clause anticipates Israel's recognition of Messiah at His second coming (Romans 11:25-26, Zechariah 12:10).