Luke 21:24
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στόματι
by the edge
G4750
στόματι
by the edge
Strong's:
G4750
Word #:
3 of 20
the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e
μαχαίρας
of the sword
G3162
μαχαίρας
of the sword
Strong's:
G3162
Word #:
4 of 20
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐθνῶν
nations
G1484
ἐθνῶν
nations
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
10 of 20
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
12 of 20
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
15 of 20
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
ἐθνῶν
nations
G1484
ἐθνῶν
nations
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
16 of 20
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
πληρωθῶσιν
be fulfilled
G4137
πληρωθῶσιν
be fulfilled
Strong's:
G4137
Word #:
18 of 20
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
Cross References
Romans 11:25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.Revelation 11:2But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.Isaiah 63:18The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.Daniel 12:7And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.Isaiah 5:5And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:Daniel 9:27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.Daniel 8:13Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?Isaiah 66:19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.Lamentations 1:15The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.
Historical Context
History meticulously fulfilled Jesus' threefold prophecy. Josephus records that 1.1 million Jews died in the siege and 97,000 were enslaved and dispersed throughout the Roman Empire. Jerusalem fell to Rome (AD 70), then changed hands repeatedly: Byzantine Christians controlled it (AD 324-638), Arab Muslims conquered it (638-1099), Crusaders briefly held it (1099-1187), then Mamluks and Ottoman Turks ruled for centuries (1517-1917). British Mandate followed (1917-1948). Jerusalem remained under Gentile control until Israel's 1948 independence, and the Old City wasn't in Jewish hands until the 1967 Six-Day War—a 1,897-year fulfillment of being "trodden down of the Gentiles." Reformed interpreters debate whether 1948/1967 marks the end of 'times of the Gentiles' or if this awaits Christ's return.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the precise historical fulfillment of Jesus' three predictions (sword, captivity, Gentile trampling) demonstrate about His prophetic authority?
- How does the concept of 'times of the Gentiles' inform understanding of God's sovereign control over history and His faithfulness to Israel?
- What is the relationship between Israel's restoration and the church's mission to the Gentiles in God's redemptive plan?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Jesus prophesies three specific judgments. First, pesountai stomati machairēs (πεσοῦνται στόματι μαχαίρης, "they shall fall by mouth of sword")—massive casualties from military violence. Josephus records over one million Jews killed during the siege. Second, aichmalōtisthēsontai eis ta ethnē panta (αἰχμαλωτισθήσονται εἰς τὰ ἔθνη πάντα, "they shall be led captive into all the nations")—not merely local deportation but worldwide dispersion. Rome enslaved survivors and scattered them across the empire.
Third, Ierousalēm estai patoumenē hypo ethnōn (Ἰερουσαλὴμ ἔσται πατουμένη ὑπὸ ἐθνῶν, "Jerusalem shall be trampled by Gentiles")—extended Gentile domination. The present passive participle patoumenē (πατουμένη, "being trampled") suggests ongoing subjugation. This began with Rome and continued through Byzantine, Arab, Crusader, Mamluk, Ottoman, and British rule—Jerusalem under Gentile control for 1,878 years (AD 70 to 1948, and partially until 1967).
The time limit achri plērōthōsin kairoi ethnōn (ἄχρι πληρωθῶσιν καιροὶ ἐθνῶν, "until times of Gentiles be fulfilled") indicates a divinely appointed period. Paul references this in Romans 11:25—"blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." The Gentile age has a terminus; God's plan for Israel isn't finished.