Luke 21:30
ESV
As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.
NIV
When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.
NASB
as soon as they put forth leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near.
CSB
As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near.
NLT
When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near.
KJV
When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
NKJV
When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
What does Luke 21:30 mean?
The disciples want to know when the temple will be destroyed (Luke 21:6–7). Jesus tells them it will be after they face persecution, betrayal by their families, and even death. It will happen after they speak of Him to kings and governors. They will be hated for His sake (Luke 21:12–17). These then-future events would eventually be recorded in the book of Acts. The temple will be destroyed when armies surround Jerusalem (Luke 21:20). We know now that was in AD 70 when the Romans swept across Galilee, Samaria, and Judea to definitively squash the Jews' rebellion against their occupation.Jesus doesn't limit His prophecies to the temple, however. He speaks of great wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilence, and supernatural terrors (Luke 21:10–11). Even more importantly, He predicts His return—the coming of the Son of Man—which will bring judgment upon the world and the redemption of Jesus' followers (Luke 21:25–28).
His return is more important to Jesus than the destruction of the temple; it should be more important to His Jewish disciples. The tribulation is described in greater detail in the book of Revelation. These signs will be as clear as the leaves on trees that precede summer. They are the precursor to the victory of the Jewish Messiah. Those with the discipline to keep watch and the strength to survive will "stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
We do not know when He will come to take His church (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18); the Bible is largely silent about the events during the church age. Modern "date-setters" deceive the masses by claiming Jesus will come on a particular date. Jesus specifically tells His disciples is it not our place to know (Acts 1:6–7). When the church is taken, the Antichrist comes to power, and the world endures the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments, then we can say, "The end is near."
Luke 21:29–33 is Jesus' practical application to the warnings in Luke 21:25–28. His prophecies begin when the disciples are first persecuted and continue through His second coming at the end of the tribulation (Luke 21:8–28). Now, Jesus tells them to keep watch for the signs of His return. If they are to faithfully serve Him, they need to focus on God's kingdom, not their earthly comforts or decadent and avoidant behavior. Matthew 24:32–35 and Mark 13:28–31 cover the same material, but Matthew continues in a great deal more detail in Matthew 24:36—25:46.
Luke 21 records the last of Jesus' teachings before the Last Supper, His arrest, and His crucifixion. Luke 21:1–4 fits well with the themes of Luke 19:28—20:47. Luke 21:5–11 describes how false messiahs, war, and natural disasters will become normal. Luke 21:12–24 prophesies challenges prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Luke 21:25–28 moves to the tribulation. Luke 21:29–36 is Jesus' instructions about the disciples' lives and ministries with respect to the delayed kingdom. Luke 21:37–38 is a note about Jesus' schedule in the days between the triumphal entry and His arrest.
