Lk 21:20-28
The times of the Gentiles: Luke understands the historical destruction of Jerusalem as the time of retribution when all that has been written is fulfilled and as a wrathful judgment upon the people. In other words, Jerusalem will “be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (v 24). The “times of the Gentiles” is Luke’s period of undetermined length between the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem and the coming of Jesus in glory. The Gentiles will prevail; they will be converted, as Luke explains throughout the Acts of the Apostles.
The destruction of Jerusalem is not viewed as the beginning of the end by Luke, but as an assurance that just as Jesus was accurate in predicting the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, so is he accurate in predicting his coming in glory. Using typical apocalyptic imagery, Jesus describes signs which indicate that the Son of Man is coming on a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke believed that everything else in the apocalyptic timetable had already taken place. All that remained was the Second Coming of Jesus. However, Luke did not think that it would happen quickly. Yes, Jesus would come in glory, but not yet. The “times of the Gentiles” had to be fulfilled. The author’s second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, had to be written.