For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

LUKE 19:43KJV
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Luke 19:43 (KJV)

What does Luke 19:43 mean?

Luke 19:43 describes a time when enemies will surround Jerusalem, building barriers and hemming the city in from every direction, leaving no escape. This is a warning that a siege is coming, where the city will be completely cut off by its attackers.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the people of Jerusalem as he approaches the city. He is foretelling a future event, warning them that their enemies will lay siege to Jerusalem. The language paints a vivid picture of a military tactic: enemies building a trench (a barricade or earthwork) and encircling the city, which historically happened when the Romans besieged Jerusalem in 70 AD.

The Greek behind Luke 19:43

  • "ἐχθροί" (echthroi, "enemies"): This word refers to hostile forces, emphasizing that those coming are not just outsiders but active opponents.
  • "χαράκωμα" (charakōma, "trench"): This term means a defensive or offensive earthwork, like a rampart or barricade, showing the seriousness and preparation of the attackers.
  • "περιβαλοῦσιν" (peribalousin, "cast about" or "surround"): The Greek here carries the sense of completely encircling, not just a partial blockade but a total one.
  • "συνέξουσιν" (synexousin, "keep thee in"): This word means to confine or hold together, highlighting that the city will be trapped with no way out.

Why Luke 19:43 matters

  • Luke 19:43 clears up that Jesus is not speaking in vague or symbolic terms, but predicting a specific historical event: the siege of Jerusalem.
  • The verse emphasizes the thoroughness of the coming judgment, showing that the city's enemies will leave no escape route.
  • This warning fits into the larger context of Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem, highlighting the consequences of the city's rejection of his message.

Where else these words appear

“side” Greek G3840 · used in 2 verses

  • Hebrews 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

“keep” Greek G4912 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
  • Luke 8:45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
  • Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

“cast” Greek G4016 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
  • Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
  • Revelation 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

“come” Greek G2240 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
  • Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.