Lucas 21

The Widow’s Gift

1 He  * 21:1–4 Mk 12:41–44 looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.  * 21:1 2Kg 12:9; Mt 27:6; Jn 8:202 He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.  * 21:2 Lit two lepta; the lepton was the smallest and least valuable Gk coin in use.,* 21:2 Lk 12:593 "Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all of them.* 21:3 2Co 8:2,124 For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on."

Destruction of the Temple Predicted

5 As  * 21:5–38 Mt 24:1–51; Mk 13:1–37 some were talking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 "These things that you see — the days will come* 21:6 Lk 17:22when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down."* 21:6 Lk 19:44

Signs of the End of the Age

7 "Teacher," they asked him, "so when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place? "  * 21:7 Ac 1:6–7

8 Then he said, "Watch out that you are not deceived.* 21:8 Jr 29:8; Eph 5:6; 2Th 2:3For many will come in my name,* 21:8 Jr 14:14; 1Jn 2:18saying, ‘I am he,’* 21:8 Jn 8:24and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them.* 21:8 Lk 17:239 When you hear of wars and rebellions,* 21:9 Or insurrections, or revolutions, or chaosdon’t be alarmed. Indeed, it is necessary that these things take place first, but the end won’t come right away."

10 Then he told them, "Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.* 21:10 2Ch 15:6; Is 19:211 There will be violent earthquakes,* 21:11 Is 29:6; Zch 14:5; Rv 6:12and famines and plagues* 21:11 Rv 6:8in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.* 21:11 Lk 11:16; 12:3312 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you* 21:12–17 Mt 10:19–22; Mk 13:11–13and persecute* 21:12 Ps 119:84you. They will hand you over to the synagogues* 21:12 Ac 22:19; 26:11and prisons,* 21:12 Ac 4:3; 5:18; 8:3; 12:4; 16:23and you will be brought before kings and governors* 21:12 Ac 17:6; 18:12; 24:1,27; 25:6; 27:24; 2Co 11:23because of my name.13 This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.* 21:13 Php 1:12–1914 Therefore make up your minds* 21:14 Lit Therefore place (determine) in your heartsnot to prepare your defense ahead of time,* 21:14 Lk 12:1115 for I will give you such words* 21:15 Ex 4:12and a wisdom* 21:15 Ac 6:10that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.* 21:15 Ac 4:1416 You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.* 21:16 Mt 10:35; Lk 12:53They will kill some of you.17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name,* 21:17 Lk 6:22; Jn 15:18–1918 but not a hair of your head will be lost.* 21:18 1Sm 14:45; Mt 10:30; Lk 12:7; Jn 10:2819 By your endurance, gain* 21:19 Other mss read endurance, you will gainyour lives.* 21:19 Mt 10:22; 24:13; Rm 2:7; 5:3; Heb 10:36; Jms 1:3

The Destruction of Jerusalem

20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,* 21:20 Lk 19:43then recognize that its desolation* 21:20 Dn 9:27has come near.21 Then those in Judea must flee* 21:21 Lk 17:31to the mountains.* 21:21 Mt 4:8Those inside the city must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it,22 because these are days of vengeance* 21:22 Is 34:8; 63:4; Dn 9:24–27; Hs 9:7; Lk 18:7–8to fulfill all the things that are written.23 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,* 21:23 Lk 23:29for there will be great distress in the land* 21:23 Or the earthand wrath against this people.24 They will be killed by the sword* 21:24 Lit will fall by the edge of the sword,* 21:24 Heb 11:34and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles* 21:24 Or nations,* 21:24 Ps 79:1; Is 63:18; Dn 8:13; Rv 11:2until the times of the Gentiles* 21:24 Dn 12:7; Rm 11:25are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 "Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars;* 21:25 Is 13:10; 24:23; Ezk 32:7; Jl 2:10; 3:15; Ac 2:20; Rv 6:12–13and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the waves.* 21:25 Ps 46:2–3; 65:7; Is 17:12; Jl 2:30–3126 People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken.* 21:26 Is 34:4; Hg 2:627 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud* 21:27 Dn 7:13; Rv 1:7with power and great glory.* 21:27 Mt 16:27; 26:64; Mk 9:128 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is near."* 21:28 Lk 2:38; 24:21; Rm 8:23; 13:11

The Parable of the Fig Tree

29 Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.30 As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near.31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize* 21:31 Or you knowthat the kingdom of God is near.32 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place.* 21:32 Lk 9:2733 Heaven and earth will pass away,* 21:33 Ps 102:26; Is 51:6; 2Pt 3:10but my words will never pass away.* 21:33 Ps 119:89; Is 40:8; Mt 5:18; Lk 16:17; 1Pt 1:23,25

The Need for Watchfulness

34 "Be on your guard,* 21:34 Lk 17:3so that your minds are not dulled* 21:34 Lit your hearts are not weighed downfrom carousing,* 21:34 Or hangoversdrunkenness,* 21:34 Rm 13:13and worries of life,* 21:34 Mt 13:22; Mk 4:19; 1Th 5:6–7; 1Pt 4:7or that day will come on you unexpectedly* 21:34 Lk 12:40; 1Th 5:335 like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth.36 But be alert at all times,* 21:36 Mt 25:13; 26:41; Mk 14:34–38; Lk 12:37; Ac 20:31; 1Co 16:13; Eph 6:18; 1Th 5:6; 1Pt 5:8praying that you may have strength* 21:36 Other mss read you may be counted worthyto escape* 21:36 Rm 2:3; 1Th 5:3; Heb 2:3all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man."

37 During  * 21:37–38 Jn 8:1–2 the day, he was teaching in the temple,  * 21:37 Mt 26:55 but in the evening he would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives.  * 21:37 Mt 21:1; Lk 22:39; Jn 8:1; 18:238 Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear him in the temple.  * 21:38 Jn 8:2