The Fig Tree - pt.2

Introduction

Review

“...the kingdom of God is near...” What does this mean?

Word Pictures in the New Testament Luke 21:30

Shoot forth (προβαλωσιν [probalōsin]). Second aorist active subjunctive of προβαλλω [proballō], common verb, but in the N. T. only here and Acts 19:33. Summer (θερος [theros]). Not harvest, but summer. Old word, but in the N. T. only here (=Mark 13:28=Matt. 24:32).

It means that the kingdom “made without hands” is fast approaching.

John the Baptist and Jesus both taught that that kingdom is present with their preaching:

Matthew 3:1–2 NASB95

1 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:17 NASB95

17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Mark 1:14–15 NASB95

14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

That preaching was during the fourth kingdom, which was prophesied of by Daniel the Prophet.

Daniel 7:15–24 NASB95

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. 16 “I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18 ‘But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.’ 19 “Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its associates. 21 “I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them 22 until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. 23 “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. 24 ‘As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings.

The fourth kingdom was the empire of Rome.

It followed the Greek empire, which followed the Medo-Persian empire, which followed the Babylonian Empire.

It is the fourth empire.

It was in the middle of that empire that Jesus was crucified.

And, this passage says, it is during this empire that Jesus will return and destroy the Antichrist.

Daniel 7:25–27 NASB95

25 ‘He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 26 ‘But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. 27 ‘Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’

The only way that that can happen is if the world returns to likeness to the behaviors of that fourth kingdom.

It will do that under the domination of the Antichrist.

And, after his time is up, he will come face to face with Jesus Christ - AT HIS SECOND COMING.

So, the nature of the world as the Lord’s return draws closer will resemble the lawless, cold, violent Rome.

Matthew 24:4–14 NASB95

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. 9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Mark 13:5–23 NASB95

5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 6 “Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. 7 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. 8 “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. 9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10 “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 “You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15 “The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; 16 and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 17 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 “But pray that it may not happen in the winter. 19 “For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20 “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 “And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; 22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 “But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.

Six facts concerning the kingdom of God:

Christians are commanded to seek it:

Matthew 6:33 NASB95

33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The it is nearly impossible for the wealthy to enter it.

Matthew 19:24 NASB95

24 “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

There are mysteries about the kingdom that only the church knows.

Mark 4:11–12 NASB95

11 And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, 12 so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven.”

A person cannot enter the kingdom unless he becomes as a child.

Mark 10:15 NASB95

15 “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

The kingdom of God is the constant theme of apostolic ministry.

Acts 28:23–24 NASB95

23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.

Jesus will one day cast Satan out of His kingdom.

Revelation 12:10 NASB95

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

Therefore, the point is that the world will increase in violence, uncertainty, and hatred.

The focal point of the world will increasingly be against Christians.

And, the response to the impending return of Jesus Christ will be for the world to set up its’ own kingdom with its’ own ruler, the Antichrist.

Daniel 11:36–39 NASB95

36 “Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. 37 “He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all. 38 “But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures. 39 “He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price.

This it will do.

But his destruction will come when the Lord returns.

Daniel 11:40–45 NASB95

40 “At the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow them and pass through. 41 “He will also enter the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall; but these will be rescued out of his hand: Edom, Moab and the foremost of the sons of Ammon. 42 “Then he will stretch out his hand against other countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape. 43 “But he will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians will follow at his heels. 44 “But rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him, and he will go forth with great wrath to destroy and annihilate many. 45 “He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

Daniel 9:26–27 NASB95

26 “Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. 27 “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

One of the remaining issues that needs to be dealt with is the nation Israel.

The destruction of the world is one thing.

But an entirely different thing is the covenant with Israel, a covenant that is irrevocable and irreplaceable.

It must be fulfilled.

Its’ stipulations will be carried out, however.

This is the point of the Lord’s teaching in this passage recorded by Luke.

What will happen with Israel?

Specifically, what will happen with the covenant stipulations of judgment that must come and have not been completed?

The Preservation - vv.32-33

v.32

Luke 21:32 NASB95

32 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.

Luke 21:32 UBS5

32 ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη ἕως ἂν πάντα γένηται.

Matthew 23:38 NASB95

38 “Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!

Crux of the matter:

“…this generation...”

The Greek New Testament, Fifth Revised Edition (with Morphology) Chapter 21

ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη

Luke

Cf. Luke 7:31; 11:29–32, 50, 51; 16:8; 17:25; Acts 2:40

Luke 7:31 NASB95

31 “To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like?

Luke 11:29–32 NASB95

29 As the crowds were increasing, He began to say, “This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks for a sign, and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. 30 “For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 “The Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation at the judgment and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 “The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

Luke 17:25 NASB95

25 “But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

“…pass away...”

Matthew 24:32–34 NASB95

32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

The word can mean: “be destroyed/destroy.”

Luke 16:17 NASB95

17 “But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.

Admittedly, this is not the most popular use of this word

There are other, more common, words that refer to something being devastated, or destroyed.

The word can also mean: “disregard/ignore/reject.”

Luke 11:42 NASB95

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

Luke 15:29 NASB95

29 “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;

The word can also mean: “to travel by/close to something/someone.”

Mark 14:35 NASB95

35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by.

Luke 18:37 NASB95

37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

A Greek-English Lexicon παρέρχομαι

παρέρχομαι (the other moods of the pers., and the impf. (παρήρχοντο is found in Alciphr.Fr.6.15), as also the fut., are borrowed from πάρειμι (εἶμι ibo), cf. ἔρχομαι): aor. παρῆλθον, inf. -ελθεῖν, more rarely -ήλῠθον Theoc.22.85 (for παρενθεῖν, v. παρέρπω II):—go by, beside, or past, pass by, of a ship, Od.16.357; ἧος μέγα κῦμα παρῆλθεν 5.429; of birds, 12.62; of persons, A.Supp.1004, etc.; [παρῆλθεν ὁ κίνδυνος] ὥσπερ νέφος passed away, D.18.188.

2. of Time, pass, Hdt.2.86; παρεληλύδει τὰ Δινούσια Aeschin.3.69; ὁ παρελθὼν χρόνος time past., E.Fr.1028 (anap.); ὁ π. ἄροτος the past season, S.Tr.69; π. ὁδοί wanderings now gone by, Id.OC1397; οἱ παρεληλυθότες πόνοι Pl.Phdr.231b, X.An.4.3.2; τῆς πρελθούσης νυκτός Pl.Prt.310a; ἐν τῷ παρελθόντι χρόνῳ in time past, of old, X.Cyr.8.8.20, etc. τὰ παρεληλυθότα past events, D.18.191; τὸ παρελθόν, opp. τὸ μέλλον, Arist.Ph.218a9; ὁ παρεληλυθώς (sc. χρόνος) Id.Po.1457a18, cf. Cat.5a8, S.E.P.3.106.

II. pass by, outstrip, esp. in speed, τινα Il.23.345; ποσὶν μή τίς με παρέλθῃ Od.8.230; π. ἐν δόλοισιν surpass in wiles, 13.291; οὔ με δόλῳ παρελεύσεαι Thgn.1285; δυνάμει E.Ba.906 (lyr.); ἀναιδειᾳ Ar.Eq.277; π. τῇ πρώτῃ στρατείᾳ to be superior, have the advantage, Aeschin.3.129; τοὺς λόγους τἄργα παρέρχεται D.10.3; τὸ ψυχρὸν τοῦτʼ ὄνομα, τὸ “ἄχρι κόρου”, παρελήλυθε has outdone that hackneyed phrase, ‘to satiety’, Id.19.187.

2. outwit, elude, ‘give the go-by to’, μὴ δὴ οὕτως .. κλέπτε νόῳ, ἐπεὶ οὐ παρελεύσεαι οὐδέ με πείσεις (unless in signf. V) Il.1.132; οὐκ ἔστι Διὸς κλέψαι νόον οὐδὲ παρελθεῖν Hes.Th.613; φυλακὰς .. ἐούσας οὐδὲν χαλεπὰς παρελθεῖν Hdt.3.72; π. τὴν πεπρωμένην τύχην E.Alc.695; τὴν ἐν τῷ ὅλῳ ψυχήν Plot.6.7.11; τὰς αἰτίας καὶ τὰς διαβολάς D.18.7.

III. pass on and come to a place, arrive at, ἐς τὰ δίκαια Hes.Op.216; εἰς τὴν δυναστείαν D.9.24; εἰς τὴν οὐσίαν Luc.Gall.12; ἐπὶ τὰ πράγματα Id.DMort.12.4; abs., X.Smp.1.7.

2. pass in, ἐς τὴν αὐλήν Hdt.3.77, 5.92.γ ́; ἔσω or εἴσω π. go into a house, etc., A.Ch.849, S.El.1337, etc.; ἔσω θυρῶνος Id.OT1241; εἴσω παρὰ τοὺς γηγενεῖς Ar.Nu.853: c. acc., π. δόμους E.Med.1137, Hipp.108; of an army, π. εἰς τὴν πόλιν βίᾳ X.An.5.5.11; π. εἴσω Πυλῶν D.18.35.

3. metaph., εἰς παροιμίαν παρῆλθε τὸ πρᾶγμα passed into a proverb, Arist.Fr.593; εἰς τὴν τραγικὴν .. ὀψὲ π. [ἡ ὑπόκριθις] Id.Rh.1403b23.

IV. pass without heeding, τεὸν βωμόν Il.8.239; disregard, slight, θεούς E.Supp.231; νόμους D.37.37; pass over, omit, οὐδὲν π. Ar.V.637, cf. Pl.Phdr.278e, etc.

2. overstep, transgress, Antipho 5.12, Lys.6.52.

V. pass unnoticed, escape the notice of (v. supr. II. 2), mostly of things, πολλά με καὶ συνιέντα π. Thgn.419; οὐδέ μʼ ὄμματος φρουρὰν παρῆλθε τόνδε μὴ λεύσσειν στόλον S.Tr.226; τουτὶ γὰρ αὖ μικροῦ παρῆλθέ μʼ εἰπεῖν D.21.110: abs., ὡς μὴ παρέλθωσʼ αἱ κόραι S.OC902.

VI. come forward to speak, ἐς τὸν δῆμον π. Th.5.45; εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν Aeschin.3.95: freq. abs., ταῦτα ἔλεγε παρελθὼν ὁ Ἀριστείδης Hdt.8.81; ὀλίγων ἕνεκα καὐτὴ παρῆλθον ῥημάτων Ar.Th.443, cf. Av.1612; παρελθὼν ἔλεξε τιάδε, π. εἶπε, Th.2.59, X.Ap.10; ὁ βουλόμενος παρελθὼν ἐλεγξάτω Lys.25.14.

VII. pf. παρελήλυθα, = πάρειμι, adsum, Th.4.86.

Therefore, given that:

-”this generation” most regularly refers to the generation present when Jesus lived.

-”pass away” most regularly refers to generally “coming along someone,” or, “ignoring” someone/something, the idea of destruction, which typically is a different word, does not have the weight of semantic use on its’ side.

-the OT/LXX synonym predominantly means something spatial

Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, Volumes I–XV 1. Occurrences, Linguistic Peculiarities, Synonyms

Various synonyms are found within the narrower and broader context of ʿbr. Parallels to ʿbr qal include gûz, “pass by” (Nu. 11:31; Ps. 90:10); ḥlp I, “continue on, pass by, go away, pass away” (Job 9:11; Cant. 2:11; Isa. 8:8; 24:5; Hab. 1:11); ʿtq, “go further, advance, age” (Job 14:18; 18:4; 21:7; Ps. 6:8[7]); klh, “be over, at an end” (Jer. 8:20); mûṯ, “die” (Job 34:20). Parallels to ʿbr hiphil include sûr hiphil, “remove” (Zec. 3:4); nāśāʾ pešaʿ, “take away iniquities” (Job 7:21). Finally, general verbs of motion frequently parallel ʿbr: → הלך hlk (e.g., Am. 6:2); → בוא bôʾ (e.g., Am. 5:5); → נגע ngʿ, “reach as far as, extend to” (Jer. 48:32; cf. 1 S.14:1).

It seems best to me to take the higher use of the word, “to pass by/neglect/avoid” and plug that in.

“This generation will no, in any way, be neglected/or pass on, until all things come to be..”

That is, the generation of Jesus Christ, the one that is most responsible for disregarding Christ and putting Him to death, will be the reason for the way the world is, as it were.

Jesus Christ will bring upon the world the covenantal judgments of Israel for their apostasy.

Consider this:

Matthew 23:34–36 NASB95

34 “Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, 35 so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 “Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

v.33

Luke 21:33 NASB95

33 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

Luke 21:33 UBS5

33 ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ παρελεύσονται, οἱ δὲ λόγοι μου οὐ μὴ παρελεύσονται.

This is the most-often quoted phrase of Jesus wherein He uses this same word-παρέρχομαι

Using the above, “Heaven and earth will pass by/go away/move from one space to another, but My word will stay right where it has always been.”

v.34

Luke 21:34 NASB95

34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;

Luke 21:34 UBS5

34 Προσέχετε δὲ ἑαυτοῖς μήποτε βαρηθῶσιν ὑμῶν αἱ καρδίαι ἐν κραιπάλῃ καὶ μέθῃ καὶ μερίμναις βιωτικαῖς καὶ ἐπιστῇ ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς αἰφνίδιος ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνη

1 Corinthians 6:3–4 NASB95

3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church?

1 Peter 2:12 NASB95

12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 4:1–7 NASB95

1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. 7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

BECAUSE THE WORLD WILL BE EXPRESSING REVELRY, PARTYING, AND MERRIMENT (LUKE 17:26-30), CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN THAT BEHAVIOR. IT WILL LEAD TO A DULLNESS OF HEART AT THE LORD’S RETURN. IT WILL ALSO CREATE AN INABILITY TO READ THE INDICATIONS OF CHRIST’S IMMINENT RETURN.

κραιπάλῃ fsdat by drunkenness, debauchery.

Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament κραιπάλη, ης, ἡ

κραιπάλη, ης, ἡ (1) as excessive wine drinking carousing, dissipation, debauchery (possibly LU 21:34); (2) as the dizziness and staggering that results from such behavior intoxication, hangover (probably LU 21:34)

Word Pictures in the New Testament Luke 21:34

With surfeiting (ἐν κρεπαλῃ [en krepalēi]). A rather late word, common in medical writers for the nausea that follows a debauch. Latin crapula, the giddiness caused by too much wine

Romans 13:13–14 NASB95

13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

μέθῃ fsdat drunkenness

μέριμνα, ης, ἡ

Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament μέριμνα, ης, ἡ

μέριμνα, ης, ἡ care, concern (2C 11:28); often in a negative sense anxiety, worry, distraction (LU 8:14)

The worries of the world “choke out” the Word of God.

Luke 8:11–15 NASB95

11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. 12 “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

The idea is to be “drunk” with worry and anxiety so that you have no room for anticipating the Lord’s coming.

βιωτικαῖς fpldat

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. βιωτικός

βιωτικός, ή, όν (since Aristot., HA 9, 17 [Lob. on Phryn. 355]; pap) pert. to daily life and living, belonging to (daily) life (so Polyb. et al.; cp. χρεῖαι β. ‘necessities of daily life’ Polyb. 4, 73, 8; Diod S 2. 29, 5; Philo Bybl. [100 A.D.]: 790 Fgm. 1, 29 Jac. [in Eus., PE 1, 9, 29]; Artem. 1, 31; Philo Alex., Mos. 2, 158) μέριμναι β. Lk 21:34; β. πράξεις Hv 1, 3, 1; β. πράγματα 3, 11, 3; m 5, 2, 2; βάσανοι β. tortures that befall one during his earthly life Hs 6, 3, 4; β. κριτήρια 1 Cor 6:4 (s. κριτήριον); cp. vs. 3 βιωτικά ordinary (everyday) matters (τά β. in a somewhat different sense Epict. 1, 26, 3; 7; Vett. Val. 286, 14; PRyl 125, 11; Philo, Omn. Prob. Liber 49; Field, Notes 171). In connection with 1 Cor 6:1–6, s. ERohde, Z. griech. Roman (Kleine Schriften II) 1901, 38f; also Philostrat., Vi. Soph. 1, 25, 3, concerning quarrels in daily life which, in contrast to grave offenses, are not to be brought to court, but settled at home.—DELG s.v. βίος. M-M.

ἐπιστῇ

Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament ἐφίστημι

ἐφίστημι 2aor. ἐπέστην; pf. ptc. ἐφεστώς; only with an intransitive sense in the NT; (1) present and aorist; (a) of persons stand near, approach, appear (suddenly) (LU 2:9); stand ready, be always alert to (2T 4:2); (b) of events come on (suddenly), happen without previous warning (1TH 5:3); (2) perfect; (a) of persons stand by, be present (AC 22:20); (b) of events be at hand, be imminent (2T 4:6); διὰ τὸν ὑετὸν τὸν ἐφεστῶτα because the rain had set in, it had begun to rain (AC 28:2)

αἰφνίδιος, ον (also ἐφνίδιος) {{αἴφνης (suddenly), -ίδιος}} sudden, unforeseen, unexpected (1TH 5:3)1

1 Timothy Friberg, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller, Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Baker’s Greek New Testament Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 39.

Lest haply your hearts be overcharged (μη ποτε βαρηθωσιν αἱ καρδιαι ὑμων [mē pote barēthōsin hai kardiai humōn]). First aorist passive subjunctive of βαρεω [bareō], an old verb to weigh down, depress, with μη ποτε [mē pote]. With surfeiting (ἐν κρεπαλῃ [en krepalēi]). A rather late word, common in medical writers for the nausea that follows a debauch. Latin crapula, the giddiness caused by too much wine. Here only in the N. T. Drunkenness (μεθῃ [methēi]). From μεθυ [methu] (wine). Old word but in the N. T. only here and Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:21. Cares of this life (μεριμναις βιωτικαις [merimnais biōtikais]). Anxieties of life. The adjective βιωτικος [biōtikos] is late and in the N. T. only here and 1 Cor. 6:3f. Come on you (ἐπιστῃ [epistēi]). Second aorist active subjunctive of ἐφιστημι [ephistēmi], ingressive aorist. Construed also with μη ποτε [mē pote]. Suddenly (ἐφνιδιος [ephnidios]). Adjective in predicate agreeing with ἡμερα [hēmera] (day). As a snare (ὡς παγις [hōs pagis]). Old word from πηγνυμι [pēgnumi], to make fast a net or trap. Paul uses it several times of the devil’s snares for preachers (1 Tim. 3:7; 2 Tim. 2:26).1

1 A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Lk 21:34.

v.35

Luke 21:35 NASB95

35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.

Luke 21:35 UBS5

35 ὡς παγίς· ἐπεισελεύσεται γὰρ ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς καθημένους ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς.

Isaiah 24:17 NASB95

17 Terror and pit and snare Confront you, O inhabitant of the earth.

A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke Luke 21:35

35. πάσης τῆς γῆς. Not the land of the Jews only. Possibly καθημένους indicates that, as at the flood. and at Belshazzar’s feast, people are sitting at ease, eating and drinking, etc. (17:27): but it need not mean more than inhabiting. Comp. μάχαιραν ἐγὼ καλῶ ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς καθημένους ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς (Jer. 25:29). For ἐπὶ προς. π. τ. γῆς Comp. 2 Sam. 18:8. The phrase is Hebraistic.

It is vital to explain the atmosphere of the earth at the time that the Lord is coming.

Luke 17:26–30 NASB95

26 “And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 “It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; 29 but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 “It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.

Word Pictures in the New Testament Luke 21:34

Lest haply your hearts be overcharged (μη ποτε βαρηθωσιν αἱ καρδιαι ὑμων [mē pote barēthōsin hai kardiai humōn]). First aorist passive subjunctive of βαρεω [bareō], an old verb to weigh down, depress, with μη ποτε [mē pote]. With surfeiting (ἐν κρεπαλῃ [en krepalēi]). A rather late word, common in medical writers for the nausea that follows a debauch. Latin crapula, the giddiness caused by too much wine. Here only in the N. T. Drunkenness (μεθῃ [methēi]). From μεθυ [methu] (wine). Old word but in the N. T. only here and Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:21. Cares of this life (μεριμναις βιωτικαις [merimnais biōtikais]). Anxieties of life. The adjective βιωτικος [biōtikos] is late and in the N. T. only here and 1 Cor. 6:3f. Come on you (ἐπιστῃ [epistēi]). Second aorist active subjunctive of ἐφιστημι [ephistēmi], ingressive aorist. Construed also with μη ποτε [mē pote]. Suddenly (ἐφνιδιος [ephnidios]). Adjective in predicate agreeing with ἡμερα [hēmera] (day). As a snare (ὡς παγις [hōs pagis]). Old word from πηγνυμι [pēgnumi], to make fast a net or trap. Paul uses it several times of the devil’s snares for preachers (1 Tim. 3:7; 2 Tim. 2:26).

A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, Second Edition 21:35

21:35 ὡς παγίς· ἐπεισελεύσεται γάρ {B}

Does ὡς παγίς belong at the close of the preceding clause, or at the beginning of the following clause? The former alternative appears to be preferable in view of (a) the strong combination of Alexandrian and Western evidence (א B D Old Latin) in support of the sequence of γάρ following the verb, and (b) the greater likelihood that copyists, recollecting Is 24:17, would have transposed γάρ so as to attach ὡς παγίς with what follows, than vice versa.

A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke 19:29–21:38. The Last Days of Public Teaching

Not the land of the Jews only.

v.36

Luke 21:36 NASB95

36 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Luke 21:36 UBS5

36 ἀγρυπνεῖτε δὲ ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ δεόμενοι ἵνα κατισχύσητε ἐκφυγεῖν ταῦτα πάντα τὰ μέλλοντα γίνεσθαι καὶ σταθῆναι ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.

Lightfoot’s Apostolic Fathers in English Didache (Teaching of the Twelve Apostles) 16

16. Be watchful for your life; let your lamps not be quenched and your loins not ungirded, but be ye ready; for ye know not the hour in which our Lord cometh. 2And ye shall gather yourselves together frequently, seeking what is fitting for your souls; for the whole time of your faith shall not profit you, if ye be not perfected at the last season. 3For in the last days the false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate. 4For as lawlessness increaseth, they shall hate one another and shall persecute and betray. And then the world-deceiver shall appear as a son of God; and shall work signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands; and he shall do unholy things, which have never been since the world began. 5Then all created mankind shall come to the fire of testing, and many shall be offended and perish; but they that endure in their faith shall be saved by the Curse Himself. 6And then shall the signs of the truth appear; first a sign of a rift in the heaven, then a sign of a voice of a trumpet, and thirdly a resurrection of the dead; 7yet not of all, but as it was said: The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him. 8Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.

Mark 13:33–37 NASB95

33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 34 “It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. 35 “Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 “What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’ ”

To live in anticipation of Jesus coming back is the command of our Lord.

It is not right for us to second guess that, or to rationalize it away.

To not do this is sin since it goes against the Lord’s obvious command here.

vv.37-38

Luke 21:37–38 NASB95

37 Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet. 38 And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.

Luke 21:37–38 UBS5

37 Ἦν δὲ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ διδάσκων, τὰς δὲ νύκτας ἐξερχόμενος ηὐλίζετο εἰς τὸ ὄρος τὸ καλούμενον Ἐλαιῶν 38 καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὤρθριζεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ ἀκούειν αὐτοῦ.

John 12:12–13 NASB95

12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”

Conclusion

Psalm 119:89 NASB95

89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.