Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Luke 21:8

Eastern Fathers

Athanasius of Alexandria

For since we have received, delivered unto us by God, graces and doctrines which are above man, (as, for example, the rule of a heavenly life, power against evil spirits, the adoption and the knowledge of the Father and the Word, the gift of the Holy Spirit,) our adversary the devil goeth about seeking to steal from us the seed of the word which has been sown. But the Lord, shutting up in us His teaching as His own precious gift, warns us, lest we be deceived. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

He explains what will happen at the consummation of the world, and, so to speak, warns them and testifies, saying, "Look! Be not deceived: for many shall come in My Name, saying, that I am He, and the time is near. Go you not after them." For before the advent of Christ the Saviour of us all from heaven, various false Christs and false prophets will appear preceding Him, falsely assuming to themselves His person, and coming into the world like eddies of smoke springing up from a fire about to break forth. …

Commentary On Luke, Homily 139 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

They thought that He was speaking about the end of the world, although He was speaking about the capture of Jerusalem by the Romans. Therefore, condescending to them, He temporarily sets aside the discourse about the capture of Jerusalem by the Romans, intending to attach it to what follows, and now discusses the end of the world and warns them not to listen to the false prophets who are to come before His coming.

Commentary on Luke ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

Jerusalem certainly was besieged and taken by the Roman army … then, the desolation will be near since many will fall into error and depart from the true faith.… Then the day of the Lord will suitably come, and the days will be shortened for the sake of the chosen. Since the Lord's first coming was to atone for sins, the second will be to prevent transgressions, fearing more might fall into the error of unbelief. False prophets and then famine will come. …

Exposition Of The Gospel Of Luke 10.15-18 ↗

Bede

He said: See to it that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, "I am he" and "the time is near." Therefore, do not go after them. Many, at the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, rose up as leaders and claimed to be the Christs, asserting that the time of freedom was now approaching. Many in the Church, even in the times of the apostles, arose as heresiarchs who, among numerous other things contrary to the truth, preached that the day of the Lord was at hand. …

On the Gospel of Luke ↗

Bonaventure

He said: See that you are not seduced, etc. After the prediction of future things in a certain generality, here he descends more specifically to describing the persecution of the Church. He describes this in two ways: first, commonly with respect to all; second, specially with respect to the perfect, at: But before all these things they will lay their hands upon you. …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 21 ↗