Luke
Chapter 21
Overview
Jesus is teaching in Jerusalem’s temple, the center of Jewish worship and public life. He first notices a poor widow whose tiny gift reveals more than its size suggests. Then attention shifts to the magnificent temple itself, and Jesus warns that its beauty will not last. His listeners ask when this will happen, opening a long discussion of war, persecution, Jerusalem’s destruction, cosmic upheaval, and the coming of the Son of Man. The chapter moves from fragile stones to steady endurance, ending with a call to stay alert while crowds gather early to hear Jesus teach.
1Jesus looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple treasury.
2He also saw a poor widow put in two lepta—tiny copper coins of very little value.
3Jesus said, “I tell you the truth: this poor widow has put in more than everyone else.
4All the others gave from what they had left over. But in her need, she put in everything she had to live on.”
5Some people were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God. Then Jesus spoke.
6He said, “As for these things you are looking at, days are coming when not one stone will be left on another. Every one of them will be torn down.”
7They asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? What sign will show that these things are about to take place?”
8Jesus answered, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. Many will come using my name and say, ‘I am the one,’ and, ‘The time has come near.’ Do not follow them.
9When you hear about wars and uprisings, do not be terrified. These things must happen first, but the end will not come immediately.”
10Then Jesus told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11There will be great earthquakes, and in various places there will be famines and epidemics. There will also be terrifying events and great signs from heaven.
12But before all this, people will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to local Jewish assemblies and to prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because you are associated with me.
13This will give you an opportunity to testify.
14So make up your minds not to rehearse beforehand how you will defend yourselves.
15I myself will give you the right words and wisdom, and none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict you.
16You will even be handed over by parents, siblings, relatives, and friends. Some of you will be put to death.
17Everyone will hate you because you are associated with me.
18Yet not even a hair from your head will be lost.
19By enduring, secure your lives.
20When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its devastation is near.
21Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those inside Jerusalem must leave, and those in the countryside must not enter it.
22These will be days of punishment, when everything that has been written must be fulfilled.
23How terrible those days will be for pregnant women and those nursing babies! There will be great suffering in the land, and this people will face fierce anger.
24They will be killed by the sword and carried away as captives into every nation. Jerusalem will be trampled by non-Jewish nations until their allotted times have run their course.
25There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On earth, nations will be in anguish and confusion because of the roaring and surging sea.
26People will faint from fear and dread over what is coming upon the world, because the forces of the heavens will be shaken.
27Then they will see the Son of Man—God’s chosen human ruler—coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28When these things begin to happen, stand up straight and lift your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near.”
29Then Jesus gave them this comparison: “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees.
30When they begin to sprout, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.
31In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that God’s rule is near.
32I assure you, this generation will certainly not pass away until everything has happened.
33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.
34Be careful that your hearts do not become weighed down by excessive partying, drunkenness, and the worries of daily life, causing that day to come upon you suddenly.
35That day will close in like a trap, because it will come upon everyone living across the whole earth.
36Stay alert at all times. Pray that you will have the strength to escape everything that is going to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37Each day Jesus taught in the temple. Each night he went out and stayed on the mountain called the Mount of Olives.
38All the people came to him early in the morning to hear him teach in the temple.