Luke 21
21
The Widow’s Offering
1While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.#21:2 Greek two lepta [the smallest of Jewish coins].
3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Jesus Speaks about the Future
5Some 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?”
8He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’#21:8 Greek claiming, ‘I am.’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There 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. 13But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.#21:13 Or This will be your testimony against them. 14So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.#21:17 Greek on account of my name. 18But not a hair of your head will perish! 19By 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. 21Then 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. 22For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23How 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. 24They 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. 26People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27Then everyone will see the Son of Man#21:27a “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. coming on a cloud with power and great glory.#21:27b See Dan 7:13. 28So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
29Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. 30When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. 31In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. 32I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. 33Heaven 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, 35like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
37Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him.
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Luke 21: NLT
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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Luke 21
21
The Widow's Offering
(Mk 12.41–44)
1Jesus looked round and saw rich people dropping their gifts in the temple treasury, 2and he also saw a very poor widow dropping in two little copper coins. 3He said, “I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all the others. 4For the others offered their gifts from what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, gave all she had to live on.”
Jesus Speaks of the Destruction of the Temple
(Mt 24.1–2; Mk 13.1–2)
5Some of the disciples were talking about the Temple, how beautiful it looked with its fine stones and the gifts offered to God. Jesus said, 6“All this you see — the time will come when not a single stone here will be left in its place; every one will be thrown down.”
Troubles and Persecutions
(Mt 24.3–14; Mk 13.3–13)
7“Teacher,” they asked, “when will this be? And what will happen in order to show that the time has come for it to take place?”
8Jesus said, “Be on guard; don't be deceived. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time has come!’ But don't follow them. 9Don't be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen first, but they do not mean that the end is near.”
10He went on to say, “Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. 11There will be terrible earthquakes, famines, and plagues everywhere; there will be strange and terrifying things coming from the sky. 12Before all these things take place, however, you will be arrested and persecuted; you will be handed over to be tried in synagogues and be put in prison; you will be brought before kings and rulers for my sake. 13This will be your chance to tell the Good News. 14#Lk 12.11–12Make up your minds beforehand not to worry about how you will defend yourselves, 15because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say. 16You will be handed over by your parents, your brothers, your relatives, and your friends; and some of you will be put to death. 17Everyone will hate you because of me. 18But not a single hair from your heads will be lost. 19Stand firm, and you will save yourselves.
Jesus Speaks of the Destruction of Jerusalem
(Mt 24.15–21; Mk 13.14–19)
20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that it will soon be destroyed. 21Then those who are in Judea must run away to the hills; those who are in the city must leave, and those who are out in the country must not go into the city. 22#Hos 9.7For those will be ‘The Days of Punishment’, to make all that the Scriptures say come true. 23How terrible it will be in those days for women who are pregnant and for mothers with little babies! Terrible distress will come upon this land, and God's punishment will fall on this people. 24Some will be killed by the sword, and others will be taken as prisoners to all countries; and the heathen will trample over Jerusalem until their time is up.
The Coming of the Son of Man
(Mt 24.29–31; Mk 13.24–27)
25 #
Is 13.10; Ezek 32.7; Joel 2.31; Rev 6.12–13 “There will be strange things happening to the sun, the moon, and the stars. On earth whole countries will be in despair, afraid of the roar of the sea and the raging tides. 26People will faint from fear as they wait for what is coming over the whole earth, for the powers in space will be driven from their courses. 27#Dan 7.13; Rev 1.7Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in a cloud with great power and glory. 28When these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your salvation is near.”
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
(Mt 24.32–35; Mk 13.28–31)
29Then Jesus told them this parable: “Think of the fig tree and all the other trees. 30When you see their leaves beginning to appear, you know that summer is near. 31In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that the Kingdom of God is about to come.
32 “Remember that all these things will take place before the people now living have all died. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Need to Watch
34 “Be on your guard! Don't let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day may suddenly catch you 35like a trap. For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth. 36Be on the alert and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 #
Lk 19.47
Jesus spent those days teaching in the Temple, and when evening came, he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38Early each morning all the people went to the Temple to listen to him.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.