Luke 21:10-11
Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about large-scale wars; the phrase "nation against nation" and "kingdom against kingdom" can also describe internal strife within a single nation or even smaller factions fighting each other. It speaks to a breakdown of order on multiple levels, not just between countries.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' awestruck comments about the temple's magnificence by predicting its utter destruction. As they press him for signs of the end times and his coming, Jesus shifts the conversation to a series of escalating crises that will precede the final judgment. This verse is part of that prophetic unfolding, describing widespread conflict and upheaval as initial signs.
Jesus' words paint a picture of global unrest. But is it just about military battles?
When Jesus speaks of 'nation against nation' and 'kingdom against kingdom,' he's not just describing typical warfare. This phrase points to a deeper, more pervasive level of conflict and societal breakdown.
More Than Armies
This isn't just about countries declaring war on each other. It signifies a breakdown in order, internal strife within nations, and widespread chaos.
The Beginning of Sorrows
As other parts of this prophecy (like Matthew 24:8) explain, these events are the "beginning of sorrows" – the early signs of a much larger upheaval, like the painful contractions before childbirth. This indicates a pattern of escalating distress, not just isolated incidents.
Jesus links earthly chaos to broader signs. What does this tell us about God's involvement?
Jesus' prophecy in Luke 21 extends beyond political and military upheaval to include natural disasters and celestial disturbances.
Earthquakes and Signs
The prophecy mentions "earthquakes in various places" and "frightful appearances and great signs from heaven." This connects worldly conflict with a shaking of the very foundations of creation.
Divine Purpose
These aren't random occurrences. The ancient commentators understood these as signs of divine judgment – God using the natural and political order to bring about His purposes and warn humanity. They signify a world out of joint, responding to a rejection of God's order.
Understand the original words
ethnos · Greek Noun
A people group, ethnicity, or Gentile culture. Throughout history, the conflict between nations is a hallmark of the fallen state of the world, often serving as a precursor to God's final judgment.
basileia · Greek Noun
A sovereign state or dominion. It is used in Scripture to contrast the kingdoms of this world with the Kingdom of God, which is eternal and unchanging.
seismos · Greek Noun
The shaking of the earth, often used in biblical literature to signify God’s presence, judgment, or the upheaval of the created order during the end times.
limos · Greek Noun
Extreme scarcity of food, often cited in Scripture as a manifestation of judgment or divine displeasure, and a recurring feature in prophecies regarding the end of the age.
Jesus' words about nations and kingdoms rising against each other directly foreshadowed the intense, violent period of Roman occupation and the subsequent Jewish revolts, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem.
c. 4 BC
Herod the Great's Death
The death of Herod the Great, a powerful Idumean ruler installed by Rome, led to significant political instability and internal conflict within Judea. His kingdom was divided among his sons.
AD 6
Formation of Roman Province of Judea
Following a revolt against Herod Archelaus, Judea was directly incorporated into the Roman Empire as a province, leading to direct Roman governance and increased taxation, a source of much unrest.
AD 44-48
Reign of Herod Agrippa I
The brief rule of Herod Agrippa I reunited much of his grandfather's territory, but his death led to further administrative reshuffling and a return to direct Roman procuratorial rule.
AD 66— this verse
Outbreak of the First Jewish-Roman War
A major revolt against Roman rule erupted in Judea, fueled by religious, political, and economic grievances. This period saw widespread conflict and devastation across the region.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' teaching in Luke, describing the same signs of the end times, including the rise of nations against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms.
Mark 13:8Mark's account also includes this prophecy, adding the phrase 'all these are the beginning of sorrows,' which underscores the escalating nature of these conflicts as precursors to greater events.
2 Chronicles 15:6This Old Testament passage describes a similar period of widespread conflict and unrest, showing that the 'nation against nation' theme is a recurring pattern of divine judgment and warning throughout Scripture.
Jeremiah 4:19-22Jeremiah laments over the devastation caused by invading armies, using vivid imagery of internal strife and widespread war that echoes Jesus' prophecy in Luke and highlights the deep sorrow these conflicts bring.
pooleLuke 21:10: "Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:"
See Poole on "Luke 21:9"
bengelLuke 21:10: "Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:"
Luke 21:10 . Τότε ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς , then said He to them ) It is indicated by the introduction of this formula, that a short pause intervened before He spake. So in Luke 21:29 .
This verse isn't just about large-scale wars; the phrase "nation against nation" and "kingdom against kingdom" can also describe internal strife within a single nation or even smaller factions fighting each other. It speaks to a breakdown of order on multiple levels, not just between countries.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' awestruck comments about the temple's magnificence by predicting its utter destruction. As they press him for signs of the end times and his coming, Jesus shifts the conversation to a series of escalating crises that will precede the final judgment. This verse is part of that prophetic unfolding, describing widespread conflict and upheaval as initial signs.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' awestruck comments about the temple's magnificence by predicting its utter destruction. As they press him for signs of the end times and his coming, Jesus shifts the conversation to a series of escalating crises that will precede the final judgment. This verse is part of that prophetic unfolding, describing widespread conflict and upheaval as initial signs.
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loimos · Greek Noun
Widespread, deadly diseases or plagues; in prophetic contexts, these are frequently associated with divine judgment and the signs preceding the return of Christ.
phobētron · Greek Noun
A state of intense fear or dread; in the apocalyptic context, these refer to manifestations that cause terror among the nations.
sēmeion · Greek Noun
Miraculous or extraordinary events intended to point beyond themselves, often serving as authenticating proofs of God's authority or warnings of impending judgment.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Roman army, under Titus, besieged and ultimately destroyed Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple. This event marked a catastrophic turning point for the Jewish people.
"Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." — This verse isn't just about large-scale wars; the phrase "nation against nation" and "kingdom against kingdom" can also describe internal strife within a single nation or even smaller factions fighti…
