129. The Destruction of Jerusalem (continued)
20"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it; 22for these are days of vengeance. 24This people will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles.b 21And if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Deliverer!' or 'Look, there he is!' believe it not. 22False Messiahs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23But take heed; I have told you all things beforehand.”30“Truly I say unto you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place.”
(Lk. 21:20–22, 24; Mk. 13:21–23, 30)
b “and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles”—Jesus was crucified in April, AD 30 (time of the Passover). Less than 40 years later, in AD 66, there was a revolt of the Jews seeking to throw off the Roman yoke. The Roman army came against them and in AD 70 they broke through the walls, leveled Jerusalem, and killed many of its inhabitants. This they did in response to the revolts led by so-called “deliverers.” The Jewish historian Josephus recorded the scene: “...one would have thought that the hill itself, on which the temple stood, was seething hot...the blood was larger in quantity than the fire...the ground did nowhere appear visible, for the dead bodies that lay on it, but the soldiers went over heaps of those bodies, as they ran upon such as fled from them.” Quoted from The Genuine Works of Flavius Josephus, III, Book VI, Ch. 5, trans. by W. Whiston. (Philadelphia: Johnson & Warner, and Worcester, Mass.: Isaiah Thomas, 1809). (See also Ch. 115, fn. b and Ch. 160, fn. a.)
Lk. 21:22 vengeance. / vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. (RSV)
Lk. 21:24 This people will (Lk. 21:23) / they will (RSV) • Gentiles. / Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (RSV)
Mk. 13:21 And if / And then if (RSV) • the Deliverer!' or (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ!' or (KJV) • is!' believe it not. (KJV) / is!' do not believe it. (RSV)
Mk. 13:22 False Messiahs and (Ch. 13, fn. c) / False Christs and (RSV) (176:1/1913)
