Then in Matthew 24 (compare Luke 21 and Mark 13) Jesus begins to talk about events that are yet future in response to the disciples’ questions. Let me establish the context. In verse 1 Jesus leaves the temple and His disciples follow. And as they’re looking down at the temple from the Mount of Olives (verse 3), Jesus tells them “there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down”.
This prompts the disciples to then ask Him three questions. “When will this take place? What will be the sign of your coming? And what will be the sign of the end of the world?” And it’s here I must remind you of the mistake found in many translations. The word “world” in the last question is from aion, a period of time, and should be translated “age”. There is no such thing as an end to this world; it will exist throughout all eternity, as we will see in future lessons. The end of the age takes place at Jesus’ second coming to earth, as He explains later in this chapter.
So, we’ll take these three questions one at a time. The first, when are these stones going to be thrown down or in other words, when will this temple be destroyed? For some reason Matthew does not record Jesus’ answer to this question. However, Luke’s account does have the answer and it’s found in Luke 21:12-24. Before that in verses 8-11 Jesus gives 10 signs of His second coming (we’ll look at this later from the Matthew passage). But then in verse 12 we see “But before all this”. Jesus then describes events and conditions surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD.
Keep in mind; Jesus is not just describing the persecution of Jews here, but the persecution of Christians as well. “Turning you over to the synagogues and prisons” (verse 12), and “you will be hated because you bear My name” (verse 17) both tell us that. Verse21 tells us this will be a time of “vengeance” or revenge (predicted in Hosea 9:7). This is the destruction of Jerusalem. If Jerusalem would have accepted the peace and blessing offered by Jesus and recognized Him as their Messiah, this would not have happened (see Luke 19:41-44 and Matthew 23:37-39).
Let’s look at just a couple of things here. In verses 12-19 Jesus talks about this persecution of believers. This will be an opportunity to give testimony concerning Jesus (verse 13), but they’re not to think beforehand what they’re going to say (verse 14); because He will give them the words and wisdom that their adversaries will not be able to refute (verse 15) (compare Matthew 10:19-20).
He continues to explain that family and friends will betray them and some will be put to death (verse 16) and all men will hate them (verse 17). History tells us when the citizens of Jerusalem realized the Roman’s were encompassing the city and that it’s destruction was eminent; Christians were seen to be the cause of the trouble. This explains the persecution of believers. Then in the midst of these dire predictions, we find a precious promise. “But not a single hair of your head will perish. And by your patient endurance you will win the eternal life of your souls.” (Verses 18-19)
He continues to tell them when they see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, its destruction is near (verse 20). So, those in the surrounding areas (Judea) should not go into the city, but flee to the mountains to escape the trouble (verse 21); because this will be the time when the predictions concerning the destruction of Jerusalem will take place (verse 22).
This brings us to verse 23, “But woe to those who are pregnant and those who have babies still nursing.” The common practice of conquering armies was to take captives either to enslave in their country or sell to other countries. However, those deemed not fit to be force-marched to distant locales were killed. Pregnant women and women with small children to care for were usually killed immediately along with the aged and infirm.
Verse 23 continues, “For great distress shall be upon the land and retribution upon this people.” Again, history records that when the Roman army surrounded the city, eventually over 600,000 people died of famine and their bodies were thrown over the walls or out the gates until the valleys surrounding the city were filled with their remains. When the Romans finally entered the city they crucified so many Jews, the city was virtually encompassed with crosses, so many that they complained they had no room for more. Between 1,000,000 and 1,500,000 people died. And additional 100,000 were sold into slavery.
Now, in case you may have forgotten, we’re talking about the time when the temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:2 and Luke 21:6). This was Herod’s temple. It was about 2 city blocks long on each side built in a square. It was made of white marble and considered one of the wonders of ancient times. Some of the stones were 94 ft. long, 10 ft. high and 13 ft. wide. There were 162 marble columns holding up the porches that were 52 ft. high. Every single stone was removed from the temple mount and the ground was plowed under, fulfilling the prediction of Micah 3:9-12.
There is one more issue. This is the last part of Luke 21:24, “and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Gentiles have at least partially occupied Jerusalem from its destruction in 70 AD until the present time. And it will remain so, except for a brief time yet future when it will be liberated and the future Jewish temple will be built there. It will then be the true Jewish capital for a short time, until the middle of the 7-year tribulation period, when the Antichrist will break his agreement to protect Israel from its enemies and will use the temple as his capital building and initiate beast worship (all to be explained in detail in future lessons). The times of the Gentiles are fulfilled when Christ returns to earth to establish His kingdom at the end of this 7-year time of judgment and liberates Jerusalem once and for all time.