Luke 21
Chapter 21
The Widow’s Offering
1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box.
2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.t
3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.
4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Jesus Foretells the Future
5 Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said,
6 “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”
8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’t and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them.9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.”10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.t14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you.17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.t18 But not a hair of your head will perish!
19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.
20 “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived.21 Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city.22 For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people.
24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.27 Then everyone will see the Son of Mant coming on a cloud with power and great glory.t
28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
29 Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree.30 When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near.31 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near.32 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place.
33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.
36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
37 Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.
38 The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him.
LUKE 21
A Widow's Offering
(Mark 12.41-44)
1 Jesus looked up and saw some rich people tossing their gifts into the offering box. 2 He also saw a poor widow putting in a few cents. 3 And he said, “I tell you that this poor woman has put in more than all the others.
4 Everyone else gave what they didn't need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had.”The Temple Will Be Destroyed
(Matthew 24.1,2; Mark 13.1,2)
5 Some people were talking about the beautiful stones used to build the temple and about the gifts that had been placed in it. Jesus said,
6 “Do you see these stones? The time is coming when not one of them will be left in place. They will all be knocked down.”Warning about Trouble
(Matthew 24.3-14; Mark 13.3-13)
7 t Some people asked, “Teacher, when will all this happen? How can we know when these things are about to take place?”
8 Jesus replied:
Don't be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, “I am Christ!” and “Now is the time!” But don't follow them.
9 When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but this isn't the end.
10 Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other.
11 There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.
12 Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your synagogues and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors.
13 But this will be your chance to tell about your faith.
14 t Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. 15 I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong. 16 You will be betrayed by your own parents, brothers, family, and friends. Some of you will even be killed. 17 Because of me, you will be hated by everyone. 18 But don't worry!t
19 You will be saved by being faithful to me.Jerusalem Will Be Destroyed
(Matthew 24.15-21; Mark 13.14-19)
20 When you see Jerusalem surrounded by soldiers, you will know that it will soon be destroyed. 21 If you are living in Judea at this time, run to the mountains. If you are in the city, leave it. And if you are out in the country, don't go back into the city. 22 t This time of punishment is what is written about in the Scriptures. 23 It will be an awful time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children! Everywhere in the land people will suffer horribly and be punished.
24 Some of them will be killed by swords. Others will be carried off to foreign countries. Jerusalem will be overrun by foreign nations until their time comes to an end.When the Son of Man Appears
(Matthew 24.29-31; Mark 13.24-27)
25 t Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won't know what to do. 26 People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken.t 27 t Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free.A Lesson from a Fig Tree
(Matthew 24.32-35; Mark 13.28-31)
29 Then Jesus told them a story:
When you see a fig tree or any other tree 30 putting out leaves, you know that summer will soon come. 31 So, when you see these things happening, you know that God's kingdom will soon be here. 32 You can be sure that some of the people of this generation will still be alive when all of this takes place.
33 The sky and the earth won't last forever, but my words will.A Warning
34 Don't spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you 35 like a trap. This day will surprise everyone on earth.
36 Watch out and keep praying that you can escape all that is going to happen and that the Son of Man will be pleased with you.
37 t Jesus taught in the temple each day, and he spent each night on the Mount of Olives. 38 Everyone got up early and came to the temple to hear him teach.
