Chapter 21 of Luke parallels the mini-apocalypse in Mark 13. Whereas Mark warns his hearers against joining in the revolt and against putting their hope in the earthly Jerusalem, Luke is writing at a time when the city had already collapsed to Rome. Still, the Lord will continue to instruct his people with words out of his own mouth. When they put their trust in those words and follow his commandments with patient endurance, it will be the Lord himself who speaks when they give their martyria. Just as Ezekiel delivered God’s word to the exiles in Babylon away from Jerusalem and its temple, Jesus, as Son of Man and thus teacher, will bring the redemption of those who patiently await his coming. In Luke, the place from which Jesus ascends is depicted as the Mount of Olives; as in the prophet Zechariah, this is also the place from whence the Lord will come when he returns as judge. This movement in the Gospel of Luke is neither geographical nor mystical, but Scriptural.

Join me in a discussion of Luke 21:13-19.

Notes:
μαρτύριον - testimony, witness
σοφίαν - wisdom 
ὑπομονῇ - patience, patient endurance 
Psalm 78:1-2; 121:1
Mark 13:5-7
Luke 8:15; 9:23; 21:25-28

“Sing A New Song Unto Me” composed and performed by Raphael Shaheen.
Photo by Brett Jordan.