SUMMARY.--The Widow's Mites.
The Question Concerning the Overthrow of the Temple.
The Woes Coming Upon the Jewish Nation Foretold.
The Signs That Shall Precede the Last Day.
1-4. Saw the rich men that were casting their gifts. For notes
on the Widow's Mites, see
Mark 12:41-44.
5-33. When shall these things be? This discourse to the
disciples on the Overthrow of the Temple, Jerusalem, the Jewish Nation
and the Second Coming of our Lord, is reported here, in
Mark, chapter 13,
and in
Matthew, chapter 24.
Matthew's account is much the fullest, where see
notes.
Not a hair of your head shall perish. You shall be in the
Father's hand, saved, even if put to death, [305]
gaining eternally by suffering.
When ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies.Matthew
says: "The abomination of desolation" instead of "Jerusalem compassed
with armies." See notes on
Matt. 24:15.
This was the warning to Christians to flee. In the first attack the
Romans, under Cestus Gallus, were beaten off and retreated. The
Christians then left the city.
And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles. It has
been ever since its destruction. It has been held by the Romans, the
Parthians, the Saracens, the Crusaders and the Turks, but never by the
Jews.
There shall be signs in the sun. See notes on
Matt. 24:27-31.
This generation shall not pass away. See notes on
Matt. 24:34, 35.
The word race instead of generation gives the meaning.
[306]
34-36. Take heed to yourselves. The words here, but not the
ideas, are peculiar to Luke. See notes on
Matt. 24:37-51.
37. Lodged in the mount . . . of Olives. At Bethany, I suppose,
on the eastern slope, until the night he was betrayed. See
Matt. 21:17.
38. All the people came. All the accounts indicate the intense
interest shown by the people in his teachings during this last week.
The Lord taught in the temple by day, but spent the nights at Bethany
or on the Mount of Olives.
