Luke 21:37 - Be Watchful for the Day
Every day Jesus taught at the temple
This phrase highlights Jesus' dedication to teaching and His role as a rabbi. The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life, and teaching there signified authority and fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus' presence in the temple aligns with Malachi 3:1, which speaks of the Lord coming to His temple. His daily teaching underscores His commitment to instructing the people and challenging the religious leaders, as seen in His interactions throughout the Gospels.
but every evening He went out
This indicates a pattern of retreat and rest after a day of ministry. It reflects Jesus' humanity and need for solitude and prayer, as seen in other passages like Mark 1:35. This practice also demonstrates His awareness of the growing tension with religious leaders, as He avoids staying in the city overnight.
to spend the night on the Mount of Olives
The Mount of Olives holds significant geographical and prophetic importance. Located east of Jerusalem, it offers a panoramic view of the city. This location is associated with key events in Jesus' life, including His triumphal entry (Luke 19:29-40) and His ascension (Acts 1:9-12). The Mount of Olives is also linked to eschatological prophecy, as seen in Zechariah 14:4, which speaks of the Lord standing on the mount in the end times. Jesus' choice to spend nights here may symbolize His connection to these prophetic themes and His role as the Messiah.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is depicted as a teacher who is dedicated to instructing the people in the temple during the day.
2. The Temple
The place where Jesus taught daily. It was the center of Jewish religious life and a significant location for His ministry.
3. The Mount of Olives
A hill east of Jerusalem where Jesus spent His nights. It holds prophetic significance and is a place of prayer and reflection for Jesus.
4. Jerusalem
The city where the temple is located and where Jesus is conducting His ministry during this time.
5. The People
Those who came to the temple to listen to Jesus' teachings. They represent the audience and recipients of His message.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Consistent Teaching
Jesus' daily teaching in the temple underscores the importance of regular engagement with God's Word. Believers are encouraged to seek daily spiritual nourishment through Scripture.
The Balance of Ministry and Solitude
Jesus' pattern of teaching by day and retreating to the Mount of Olives by night highlights the need for balance between active ministry and personal time with God. Christians should prioritize both service and solitude in their spiritual lives.
The Significance of Sacred Spaces
The temple and the Mount of Olives serve as sacred spaces in Jesus' ministry. Believers are reminded of the value of having dedicated places for worship and prayer.
Preparation for Future Events
Jesus' actions in this passage occur shortly before His crucifixion. This teaches the importance of preparation and focus on God's plan, even amidst busy schedules.
(37) In the day time . . . at night.--Literally, in the days . . . the nights, the words pointing to the mode in which the week was spent from the first day to the evening of the fifth.
Abode.--The word is better translated lodged in Matthew 21:12. Strictly speaking, it meant to lodge, not in a room, but in the court-yard of a house; and so was used generally, in military language, for a "bivouac." It would seem to have been chosen by both Evangelists (it does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament) to include the fact, implied in all four and definitely stated by St. John, that most of the nights were spent not in a house, but in the garden, or orchard, of Gethsemane (John 18:1-2).
That is called the mount of Olives.--Better, perhaps, here, as in Luke 19:29 (where see Note), that is called Olivet.
Verse 37. - And in the daytime he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the Mount of Olives. This brief picture of the last days of public work is retrospective. This was how our Lord spent "Palm Sunday" and the Monday and Tuesday of the last week. The prophetic discourse reported in this twenty-first chapter was, most probably, spoken on the afternoon of Tuesday. After Tuesday evening he never entered the temple as a public Teacher again. Wednesday and Thursday were spent in retirement. Thursday evening he returned to the city to eat the last Passover with his own.
Greek
[Every]
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
day
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.
[Jesus]
Ἦν (Ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.
taught
διδάσκων (didaskōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1321: To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.
at
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
temple,
ἱερῷ (hierō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411: Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.
but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.
[every]
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
evening
νύκτας (nyktas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3571: The night, night-time. A primary word; 'night'.
He went out
ἐξερχόμενος (exerchomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.
to spend the night
ηὐλίζετο (ēulizeto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 835: To lodge in the open, lodge, pass the night. Middle voice from aule; to pass the night.
on
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.
the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
Mount
ὄρος (oros)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3735: A mountain, hill. Probably from an obsolete oro; a mountain: -hill, mount(-ain).
of
καλούμενον (kaloumenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.
Olives.
Ἐλαιῶν (Elaiōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 1636: An olive tree; the Mount of Olives. Feminine of a presumed derivative from an obsolete primary; an olive.
Links
Luke 21:37 NIV
Luke 21:37 NLT
Luke 21:37 ESV
Luke 21:37 NASB
Luke 21:37 KJVLuke 21:37 BibleApps.com
Luke 21:37 Biblia Paralela
Luke 21:37 Chinese Bible
Luke 21:37 French Bible
Luke 21:37 Catholic BibleNT Gospels: Luke 21:37 Every day Jesus was teaching (Luke Lu Lk)