Luke 21:22
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 21:22
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Chapter Context
Luke 21 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of covenant, truth, judgment. 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 provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. 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 21:22
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Analysis
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Jesus identifies Jerusalem's destruction as hēmerai ekdikēseōs (ἡμέραι ἐκδικήσεως, "days of vengeance")—divine retribution, not random tragedy. The noun ekdikēsis (ἐκδίκησις) means judicial punishment, God's righteous judgment executed against covenant-breaking Israel. This isn't vindictive cruelty but holy justice—God keeping His covenant warnings.
The purpose clause tou plēsthēnai panta ta gegrammena (τοῦ πλησθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα, "that all things written may be fulfilled") indicates that Jerusalem's fall fulfills Old Testament prophecies. "All things which are written" encompasses Deuteronomy's covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:49-68—siege, starvation, cannibalism, dispersion), Daniel's prophecy of the city and sanctuary's destruction (Daniel 9:26), and Jeremiah's warnings of Jerusalem's desolation (Jeremiah 7:34). The perfect passive participle gegrammena (γεγραμμένα, "having been written") emphasizes Scripture's enduring authority—what God wrote centuries earlier must be fulfilled.
This statement places AD 70 within redemptive history's framework—not accident but divine appointment. Jerusalem rejected her Messiah; this generation bears the accumulated guilt of all who persecuted God's prophets (Luke 11:50-51). The city that killed prophets and stoned messengers (Luke 13:34) now faces covenant judgment. Yet even this judgment serves redemptive purposes—clearing the way for the new covenant age and demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word.
Historical Context
The term "days of vengeance" alludes to passages like Deuteronomy 32:35 ("To me belongeth vengeance") and Jeremiah 5:29 ("Shall I not visit for these things?"). Jerusalem's AD 70 destruction fulfilled specific Old Testament judgments: Moses warned that covenant-breaking would bring siege, starvation, and cannibalism (Deuteronomy 28:52-57)—exactly what Josephus describes happening in AD 70. Daniel prophesied that "the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary" (Daniel 9:26)—fulfilled by Roman legions. Jesus Himself wept over Jerusalem, declaring "your house is left unto you desolate" (Luke 13:35). This generation rejected God's final messenger (Messiah), filling up the measure of their fathers' sins (Matthew 23:31-36).
Reflection
- How does understanding Jerusalem's destruction as covenant judgment rather than random tragedy affect your view of God's justice and faithfulness?
- What does the meticulous fulfillment of 'all things written' demonstrate about Scripture's reliability and God's sovereign control of history?
- How should the sobering reality of divine vengeance against covenant-breaking inform Christian faithfulness and reverence for God?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Isaiah 34:8, 61:2, 63:4, Jeremiah 51:6, Hosea 9:7, Matthew 1:22