complete verse (Luke 21:20)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 21:20:

  • Noongar: “‘When you see soldiers surrounding Jerusalem, then you will know this place will soon be destroyed.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “‘When you see this town of Yerusalem surrounded by the enemy soldiers, you will know that it will not be much longer [until] Yerusalem is destroyed.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “‘When you see the town Awrusalam surrounded by soldiers, you will know that soon it’s disaster is coming.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And Jesus said again, ‘And when you see this town of Jerusalem surrounded by enemy soldiers, you will know then that it will soon be destroyed.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Jesus also said, ‘When you see that many soldiers are surrounding Jerusalem, this is how-you -will-know that its destruction is near.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Now when you observe that Jerusalem is being beseiged by soldiers, be sure that its destruction is near.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Jerusalem

The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jerusalem .

army

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “army” in English is translated in Chichewa as “group of warriors.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Luke 21:20

Exegesis:

hotan de idēte kukloumenēn hupo stratopedōn Ierousalēm ‘but when you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies.’

kukloō ‘to surround,’ ‘to encircle.’ Note the present tense: the encircling is not yet completed, otherwise some of the following injunctions would be pointless.

stratopedon ‘army camp,’ hence ‘army,’ ‘army corps,’ ‘legion.’

tote gnōte ‘then you must know,’ referring to a future time.

hoti ēggiken hē erēmōsis autēs ‘that the time of her devastation has drawn near.’ For ēggiken cf. on v. 8.

erēmōsis ‘devastation,’ ‘desolation.’

Translation:

Jerusalem surrounded by armies, or, ‘that armies are engaged in surrounding J., or, on the point of surrounding J.’ Armies, or, ‘(troops of) soldiers’; if the word for ‘to surround’ does not clearly express the hostile intention, one may have to say ‘enemy armies.’

Then know, i.e. “then you may be sure” (New English Bible), ‘you must realize then’ (cf. Bible de Jérusalem).

That its desolation has come near, or, ‘that the time for it to fall desolate has come near’ (Marathi), ‘that the hour has come for it to be destroyed’ (Tzeltal), ‘that it is about to be destroyed (cf. Ekari, Shona 1963), or, will soon perish/fall/go-to-ruin,’ ‘that far-off not, they will destroy it’ (Kituba).

Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 21:20

Paragraph 21:20–24

In this paragraph Jesus began a new topic. In 21:12–19 he had talked about the persecution that his disciples would endure before the end. In this paragraph Jesus talked about the future time when an army would attack the city of Jerusalem and destroy it. Jesus warned his disciples to escape when they saw armies gathering around Jerusalem.

21:20

In 21:7 the disciples had asked Jesus what sign would indicate that the temple (in Jerusalem) would soon be destroyed. Here in 21:20 Jesus answered that question by talking about the whole city of Jerusalem being destroyed.

In some languages it may be helpful to begin a new quotation here. For example:

Jesus also said
-or-
Then Jesus told them

You should connect this verse with what Jesus said previously in a way that is natural in your language.

21:20a

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies: In this clause Jesus indicated that his disciples will see enemy soldiers gathering around the city of Jerusalem. These soldiers will surround the city to attack it.

The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as surrounded is passive. In some languages it may be helpful to translate the clause without using a passive verb. For example:

When you see that armies/soldiers are surrounding Jerusalem
-or-
When you see armies all around Jerusalem (New Century Version)
-or-
When you see armies camped around Jerusalem (God’s Word)

21:20b

In Greek 21:20b begins with a conjunction that some English versions translate as “then.” It emphasizes the logical connection between 21:20a and 21:20b. Here is another way to translate this:

20aWhen you see…20bthen you will know (Good News Translation)

This conjunction introduces what Jesus wanted his disciples to realize as a result of enemy armies surrounding Jerusalem. In some languages a conjunction is not needed. Connect the clauses in a way that is natural in your language.

you will know that her desolation is near: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you will know is a command. Jesus used it to tell his disciples what they should realize when enemy soldiers gather around Jerusalem. They must understand that these armies will soon destroy the city. Some other ways to translate the clause are:

realize that the time is near for it to be destroyed (God’s Word)
-or-
then you must realise that it will soon be laid desolate (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
then know that its desolation has come near (NET Bible)

her desolation is near: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as her desolation is near means that Jerusalem will soon be completely destroyed. Many people will be killed, and the other people will leave the city. Then it will be deserted. Other ways to translate this meaning are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

the city will soon be completely destroyed

• Use an active clause. A subject like “they” can refer back to the armies surrounding Jerusalem in 21:20a. For example:

they will soon destroy the city and it will be deserted/abandoned
-or-
they are about to utterly destroy the city so that no one will be left there

Translate this meaning in a natural way in your language.

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