Luke 21

The Widow's Offering

1Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow there putting in two small copper coins. 3So he said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4For they have all put in gifts 1for God out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, has put in all that she had to live on.”

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple

5Then, as some were talking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts consecrated to God, Jesus said, 6“As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be 2left upon another; all of them will be torn down.”

Signs and Persecutions

7So they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign that these things are about to take place?” 8He said, “Make sure you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Do not go after them. 9When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not immediately follow.”

10Then he said to them, “Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great 3earthquakes in various places, along with 4famines and plagues. There will also be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. 12But before all these things take place, they will arrest you and persecute you. They will deliver you up to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13This will lead to opportunities for you to bear witness. 14Therefore settle it in your hearts not to prepare your defense in advance. 15For I will give you a mouth to speak and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to 5refute or resist. 16You will even be betrayed by parents, 6relatives, friends, and brothers, and they will have some of you put to death. 17You will be hated by all because of my name. 18Yet not a hair of your head will by any means perish. 19You 7must gain your lives by your patient endurance.

The Destruction of Jerusalem

20“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is near. 21Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, those who are in the city must get out, and those who are in the countryside must not enter the city. 22For those will be days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23Woe to those who are with child and to those who are nursing infants in those days! 8For there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until 9the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and on the earth there will be distress among the nations as they are perplexed by the roaring sea and the surging waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28So when these things begin to take place, stand tall and lift up your heads, for your redemption is near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29Then he told them a parable: “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. 30As soon as they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I say to you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.

Watch Yourselves

34“Watch yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you 10suddenly. 35For it will come like a trap upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 3611Therefore stay alert at all times, praying that you may 12be considered worthy to escape 13everything that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37Each day Jesus taught in the temple courts, but at night he would go out and stay at the mount called Olivet. 38And all the people would come to him early in the morning to listen to him 14in the temple courts.