Luke 21:10
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 21:10
10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Chapter Context
Luke 21 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, grace, truth. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-38: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 21:10
10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Analysis
Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: Jesus specifies the conflicts mentioned previously: egerthēsetai ethnos eph' ethnos kai basileia epi basileian (ἐγερθήσεται ἔθνος ἐφ' ἔθνος καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν, 'nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom'). This Hebrew idiom (found in Isaiah 19:2) indicates widespread, international conflict—not isolated skirmishes but regional or global warfare. The phrase suggests escalation and multiplication of conflicts.
The passive voice egerthēsetai (ἐγερθήσεται, 'will be raised up') may carry theological significance: God sovereignly permits or ordains these conflicts within His providential plan. Human sin produces war, yet God incorporates even human evil into His purposes. International conflict characterizes the age between Christ's ascension and return—what Augustine called the saeculum, the 'present evil age.' Wars don't indicate God's absence but fallen humanity's rebellion and the preliminary birth pangs before the new creation emerges.
Historical Context
The phrase 'nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom' would recall prophetic warnings of judgment (Isaiah 19:2, 2 Chronicles 15:6). First-century hearers experienced this literally. The Jewish Revolt against Rome (AD 66-73) devastated Judea. Roman civil wars followed Nero's suicide (AD 68). Parthian conflicts threatened eastern borders. The Pax Romana, though relatively stable, required constant military action to maintain. Early Christians witnessed exactly what Jesus predicted—ongoing international conflicts throughout the church age, not just at the end. Church history confirms this pattern: every century has seen wars. The twentieth century witnessed two world wars and countless regional conflicts. The pattern continues, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy.
Reflection
- What does the phrase 'nation shall rise against nation' reveal about the ongoing nature of conflict in fallen human history?
- How should Christians understand war theologically—as outside God's sovereignty or somehow incorporated into His purposes?
- Why is it significant that Jesus presents international conflict as characteristic of the entire age, not just the end times?
Word Studies
- Kingdom: βασιλεία (Basileia) G932 - Kingdom, reign
Cross-References
- Resurrection: Zechariah 14:13
- Kingdom: Isaiah 19:2, Mark 13:8
- Parallel theme: Acts 11:28, Hebrews 12:27