Church Fathers Commentary Luke 21:5-8

"And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in which there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when therefore shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when these things are about to come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [he]; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them." — Luke 21:5-8 (ASV)

Eusebius of Caesarea: History informs us how beautiful everything related to the temple's structure was, and enough remains are still preserved to show us what the buildings were once like. But our Lord proclaimed to those who were marveling at the temple's construction that not one stone would be left there upon another. For it was fitting that that place, because of the presumption of its worshipers, should suffer every kind of desolation.

The Venerable Bede: For it was ordained by the providence of God that the city itself and the temple should be overthrown, lest perhaps someone still a child in the faith, while rapt in astonishment at the sacrificial rites, might be carried away by the mere sight of its various beauties.

St. Ambrose of Milan: It was spoken, then, of the temple made with hands: that it would be overthrown. For there is nothing made with hands that age does not impair, or violence throw down, or fire burn. Yet there is also another temple—that is, the synagogue—whose ancient building falls to pieces as the Church rises. There is also a temple in every person, which falls when faith is lacking, and especially when anyone falsely shields himself with the name of Christ in order to rebel against his own conscience.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: Now His disciples did not at all perceive the force of His words, but supposed they were spoken about the end of the world. Therefore, they asked Him, saying, "Master, when will these things be? And what will be the sign?" and so on.

St. Ambrose of Milan: Matthew adds a third question, so that the disciples might inquire about the time of the temple's destruction, the sign of His coming, and the end of the world. But our Lord, when asked when the destruction of the temple would be and what the sign of His coming was, instructs them about the signs but does not choose to inform them about the time. He continues, Take heed that you be not deceived.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria: For since we have received graces and doctrines delivered to us by God that are beyond human capacity—such as the rule for a heavenly life, power against evil spirits, adoption as children, the knowledge of the Father and the Word, and the gift of the Holy Spirit—our adversary the devil goes about seeking to steal from us the seed of the word that has been sown.

But the Lord, securing His teaching within us as His own precious gift, warns us lest we be deceived. He gives us one very great gift, the word of God, so that we may not only avoid being led astray by appearances but also, by the grace of God, discern anything that lies concealed.

For since the devil is the hateful inventor of evil, he conceals who he is and craftily assumes a name that is desirable to all. This is just as if a man, wishing to get another's children into his power, were to counterfeit the parents' appearance in their absence and lead away the children who were longing for them. In every heresy, then, the devil says in disguise, "I am Christ, and the truth is with me." And so it follows, For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draws near.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: For before His descent from heaven, some will come to whom we must not give way. The only-begotten Son of God, when He came to save the world, chose to be hidden so that He might bear the cross for us. But His second coming will not be in secret; it will be awesome and public. For He will descend in the glory of God the Father, with the angels attending Him, to judge the world in righteousness. Therefore He concludes, Go you not therefore after them.

Titus of Bostra: Or perhaps He does not speak of false Christs coming before the end of the world, but of those who existed in the time of the Apostles.

The Venerable Bede: For there were many leaders when the destruction of Jerusalem was at hand who declared themselves to be Christ, and that the time of deliverance was drawing near. Many heresiarchs in the Church have also preached that the day of the Lord is at hand, whom the Apostles condemn. Many Antichrists also came in Christ’s name, of whom the first was Simon Magus, who said, This man is the great power of God.