Luke 21
21
The Widow’s Offering
1Jesus observed all the wealthy coming into the temple courts wanting to be noticed as they came with their offerings. 2He noticed a very poor widow who dropped two small copper coins in the offering box. 3“Listen to me,” he said. “This poor widow has given a larger offering than any of the wealthy. 4For the rich only gave out of their surplus, but she sacrificed out of her poverty and gave to God all that she had to live on.”
The Signs of the End of the Age
5Some of the disciples remarked about the beauty of the temple. They pointed out all the lovely adornments and how it was built with excellence from the gifts given to God.
Jesus said, 6“The day of utter destruction will come to everything you admire here. It will all become a heap of rubble!”
7“Master, tell us,” they asked, “when exactly will this happen? Can you tell us what warning sign to look for when it is about to take place?”
8Jesus responded, “Deception will run rampant and many will appear on the scene, saying I have sent them, or saying about themselves, ‘I am the Messiah!’ # 21:8 Translated from the Aramaic, where it literally states, “I Am! The Messiah!” These doomsday deceivers will say, ‘The end of the age is now here!’ But listen to me. Don’t let any of these imposters fool you.
9“There will also be many wars and revolutions on every side, with rumors of more wars to come. Don’t panic or give in to your fears, for these things are bound to happen. This is still not the end yet.”
10Jesus continued, “There will be upheavals of every kind. Nations will go to war against each other, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be terrible earthquakes and seismic events of epic proportion that result in famines in one place after another. There will be horrible plagues and epidemics, cataclysmic storms # 21:11 As translated from the Aramaic. Only one Greek manuscript adds, “great storms.” on the earth, and astonishing signs and cosmic disturbances in the heavens. But before all of this happens, you will be hunted down and arrested, persecuted by both civil and religious authorities, and thrown into prison. 12-13And because you follow me, you will be on trial before kings and governmental leaders as an opportunity to testify to them in my name. 14-15Yet determine in your hearts not to prepare for your own defense. Simply speak with the words of wisdom that I will give you that moment, and none of your persecutors will be able to withstand the grace and wisdom that comes from your mouths.
16“You can expect betrayal even by your parents, your brothers, your relatives and friends—and yes, some of you will die as martyrs. 17You will be hated by all because of my life in you. # 21:17 The Greek says, “because of my name.” 18But don’t worry. My grace will never desert you or depart from your life. # 21:18 Although quite different from the Greek manuscripts, this is the literal translation of the Aramaic figure of speech, “Grace will not leave your head.” 19Stand firm with patient endurance and you will find your souls’ deliverance.”
The Destruction of Jerusalem
20“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know for sure that its devastation is imminent. # 21:20 This was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Roman armies sacked Jerusalem. Some historians estimate that the Romans slaughtered more than one million Jews at that time and took captive up to one hundred thousand to other nations. Jews today still mourn the destruction of the temple on the fast of Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the fifth month. 21At that time all who are living in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those who live inside the city gates, leave and flee, and those who live outside the city must not enter it seeking refuge. 22For these will be the days of God’s vengeance to fulfill what has been written # 21:22 See 1 Kings 9:6–9; Dan. 9:26; Hos. 9:7; Mic. 3:12. The book of Lamentations expresses grief over the loss of the city and the temple. against Jerusalem. 23It will be extremely difficult for pregnant women and for those nursing little ones in that day, for great persecution and wrath will rise against this nation. 24Many will be cut down by the sword or scattered as prisoners to many countries. And Jerusalem shall be trampled down by nations until the days of world empires come to an end.”
The Coming of the Son of Man
25“Expect to witness amazing and perplexing signs with the sun, the moon, and the stars. # 21:25 See Isa. 13:10; Ezek. 32:7–8; Joel 2:10. The raging of the sea will bring desperation and turmoil to many nations. 26Earthquakes # 21:26 The word earthquakes is found only in Aramaic manuscripts. will bring panic and disaster. What men see coming to the earth will cause the fear of doom to grip their hearts, for they will even see the powers of the heavenly realm shaken!
27-28“And at last, when you see how the Son of Man # 21:27–28 The title “Son of Man” was used frequently when Jesus spoke of himself. Note that he is not the “son of a man,” but the Son of God who became a man. comes—surrounded with a cloud, with great power and miracles, in the radiance of his splendor, and with great glory and praises # 21:27–28 “Praises” is only found in Aramaic manuscripts. —it will make you jump for joy! For the time of your full transformation # 21:27–28 The Greek word is “redemption” or “liberation.” It speaks of the total transformation of our body, soul, and spirit when we see him as he is (1 John 3:2). has arrived.”
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
29-30Jesus gave his disciples this parable:
“Haven’t you observed that when the fig tree, or any tree, buds and blooms, the season is changing and summer is near? 31In the same way, when you see these prophetic signs occurring, you realize the earth is yielding to the fullness of God’s kingdom. 32I assure you, the end of this age will not come until all I have spoken has come to pass. 33Earth and sky will wear out and fade away before one word I speak loses its power or fails to accomplish its purpose.”
Guard Your Hearts
34“Be careful that you never allow your hearts to grow cold. Be careful that you are not caught off guard, # 21:34 The Aramaic text says, “Beware that your hearts never grow cold.” or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, and that day will come upon you suddenly like a trap. Don’t let me come and find you drunk or living carelessly like everyone else. 35For that day will come as a shocking surprise to all. 36Keep a constant watch over your soul, and pray for the courage and grace to prevail over these things that are destined to occur and that you will stand before the presence of the Son of Man with a clear conscience.”
37Each day, Jesus taught in the temple and spent his nights on the Mount of Olives. 38And all the people came early to the temple courts to listen to the words # 21:38 The Greek text is logos. he taught.
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Luke 21: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationLuke 21
21
1And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury. 2And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all: 4for all these did of their superfluity cast in unto the gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had.
5And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said, 6As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in which there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when therefore shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when these things are about to come to pass? 8And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them. 9And when ye shall hear of wars and tumults, be not terrified: for these things must needs come to pass first; but the end is not immediately.
10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11and there shall be great earthquakes, and in divers places famines and pestilences; and there shall be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you, and shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13It shall turn out unto you for a testimony. 14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand how to answer: 15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay. 16But ye shall be delivered up even by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 18And not a hair of your head shall perish. 19In your patience ye shall win your souls.
20But when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand. 21Then let them that are in Judæa flee unto the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of her depart out; and let not them that are in the country enter therein. 22For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23Woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! for there shall be great distress upon the land, and wrath unto this people. 24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows; 26men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.
29And he spake to them a parable: Behold the fig tree, and all the trees: 30when they now shoot forth, ye see it and know of your own selves that the summer is now nigh. 31Even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh. 32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished. 33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare: 35for so shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth. 36But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
37And every day he was teaching in the temple; and every night he went out, and lodged in the mount that is called Olivet. 38And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him.
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