A City "Trodden Down": Luke 21:20-24

By:
Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 4min
Luke 21:20‑24  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
The Lord Jesus came to give joy to Jerusalem and that land, but the leaders refused Him, and kept on in sins: they rebelled still more against the Roman ruler over them till the army came and surrounded the city, just as Jesus said would happen (see also Luke 19:43-4443For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. (Luke 19:43‑44)).
No more is told in the Bible of that time, but world history describes it as most dreadful. The walls and towers were strong and the men fought hard, but the soldiers kept all help and food from being taken in and many died from want of food, and the men became too weak to resist. When the soldiers got inside the city, they killed ever so many; the rest they took away captives, as Jesus said. Only those who had believed the warning and fled before, escaped.
This happened in the year 70 A. D., which was about 37 years after Jesus told the disciples about it. After that the Jewish people have lived in all parts of the world, not having a country of their own and often badly treated. They wished for Jerusalem and that land, which belonged to their race so many hundreds of years, and which God said should be theirs if they would obey His words.
Jerusalem Trodden Down
Jerusalem was rebuilt by the Romans but for years no Jewish persons were allowed to come there. Later other nations ruled it; they also were against the Jews. Then for several hundred years the Arabian people ruled, and were not friendly to Jews, although they were permitted to live there and have their businesses, homes, and schools. To this day the Jews have no temple.
So that city has been oppressed or kept down ever since that army came to it, just as Jesus said: “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:2424And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:24)).
Since early times all people not of Israel were called Gentiles, and have been the great powers to rule. Israel had power in the time of King Solomon and the nations near paid him tribute. The people, who returned to Jerusalem and the land of Israel after their captivity, paid tribute to other nations. They have since been called Jews. Since then all the nations to rule in the world have been Gentiles.
The Gospel to Jews and Gentiles
In all the years since Jesus was refused, crucified, and returned to heaven, God has sent the word for all to believe in Him, whether Jews or Gentiles. He has said that there is no difference between them; “Both Jew and Gentiles, that they all are under sin ... .All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:9, 239What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; (Romans 3:9)
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)).
“Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks [Gentiles] repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:2121Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)).
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)).
Further Meditation
1. When was the temple destroyed?
2. The Gentiles won’t rule the world forever. What will bring an end to their reign? Who will reign in place of them?
3. If you are getting started in your study of prophecy and would like an excellent overview of the subject you would no doubt benefit from Outline of Prophetic Events by B. Anstey.