And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Jerusalem's tragic ignorance: 'And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.' Jesus prophesies total destruction: Jerusalem will be 'laid... even with the ground' (ἐδαφιοῦσίν σε, edaphiousin se, leveled). The phrase 'not leave... one stone upon another' (οὐκ ἀφήσουσιν λίθον ἐπὶ λίθον, ouk aphēsousin lithon epi lithon) indicates complete demolition. The reason: 'thou knewest not the time of thy visitation' (οὐκ ἔγνως τὸν καιρὸν τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς σου, ouk egnōs ton kairon tēs episkopēs sou). The word 'visitation' (ἐπισκοπῆς, episkopēs) means God's coming in grace. Jerusalem's tragedy wasn't lack of revelation but refusal to recognize it. God visited them in Christ, offering salvation, but they rejected Him. Judgment follows rejected grace.
Historical Context
This prophecy was fulfilled literally in AD 70. Roman legions under Titus besieged Jerusalem for months, causing mass starvation. When walls were breached, systematic destruction followed. The temple was burned, its massive stones toppled as soldiers searched for gold that had melted in the fire. Josephus records over a million Jews died. The phrase 'time of thy visitation' is haunting—God had graciously visited His people in Christ, but they killed Him instead of receiving Him. The principle applies universally: those who reject God's gracious visitation eventually face His just judgment. The day of grace doesn't last forever. Jerusalem's destruction warns all: recognize God's visitation while it's still called 'today' (Hebrews 3:7-15).
Questions for Reflection
What does 'the time of thy visitation' mean, and how did Jerusalem miss it?
How does this warning apply to individuals and societies that hear the gospel but reject it?
What are the consequences of missing God's gracious visitation in Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jerusalem's tragic ignorance: 'And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.' Jesus prophesies total destruction: Jerusalem will be 'laid... even with the ground' (ἐδαφιοῦσίν σε, edaphiousin se, leveled). The phrase 'not leave... one stone upon another' (οὐκ ἀφήσουσιν λίθον ἐπὶ λίθον, ouk aphēsousin lithon epi lithon) indicates complete demolition. The reason: 'thou knewest not the time of thy visitation' (οὐκ ἔγνως τὸν καιρὸν τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς σου, ouk egnōs ton kairon tēs episkopēs sou). The word 'visitation' (ἐπισκοπῆς, episkopēs) means God's coming in grace. Jerusalem's tragedy wasn't lack of revelation but refusal to recognize it. God visited them in Christ, offering salvation, but they rejected Him. Judgment follows rejected grace.