Luke 21:16-19
What is written? (ESV)
You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
What does it say?
You [Jesus’ followers] will be betrayed even by your family members and friends, and some of you will be put to death. You’ll be hated by everyone because of my [Jesus'] name. But not a hair of your head will perish; by your perseverance, you will gain your lives.
What is its immediate context?
It is Jesus’ final week and He has been spending most of these days in the temple teaching (vs 5, 37) before He and His disciples retire to the upper room (22:7-12). This address by Jesus in Luke 21:5-36 is often paralleled with the more ‘famous’ and man-titled “Olivet Discourse” recorded in Matthew 24-25 and Mark 13. However, Matthew and Mark’s accounts are with Jesus with His disciples in private (Matthew 24:3, Mark 13:3), while Luke makes it clear He was in the temple and not in private (vs 5).
How Luke 21:16-19 is applied across Bible answers
What saves you eternally?
Endurance would eternally save those whom Jesus commissioned.
Jesus is warning them of the physical persecution - even death - that His followers will experience. Therefore, the "you will gain your lives" must be understood as eternal life.
