Luke 21

A Poor Widow’s Offering

1 And he looked up and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“looked up”) has been translated as a finite verb saw the rich putting their gifts into the contribution box, 2and he saw a certain poor widow putting in there two small copper coins.#This coin was the lepton, worth 1/128 of a denarius 3And he said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow put in more than all of them. 4For these all put gifts#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation into the offering out of their abundance, but this woman out of her poverty put in all the means of subsistence that she had.”

The Destruction of the Temple Predicted

5And while#*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were speaking”) some were speaking about the temple, that it was adorned with precious stones and votive offerings, he said, 6“As for these things that you see—days will come in which not one stone will be left on another stone that will not be thrown down!”

Signs of the End of the Age

7And they asked him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8And he said, Watch out that you are not deceived! For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them! 9And when you hear about wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end will not be at once.” 10Then he said to them, “nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes and famines and plagues in various places. There will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.

Persecution of Disciples Predicted

12“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation handing you#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before#*Here the participle (“be brought before”) is translated as a finite verb because of English style kings and governors because of my name. 13This will turn out to you for a time of witness. 14Therefore make up your minds#Literally “therefore place in your hearts” not to prepare in advance to speak in your own defense, 15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to resist or contradict. 16And you will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put to death some of you. 17And you will be hated by all because of my name. 18Even a hair of your head will never perish! 19By your patient endurance you will gain your lives.

The Desolation of Jerusalem

20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside it#Literally “in the midst of it” must depart, and those in the fields must not enter into it, 22because these are days of vengeance, so that all the things that are written can be fulfilled. 23Woe to those who are pregnant#Literally “who have in the womb” and to those who are nursing their babies#*The words “their babies” are not in the Greek text but are supplied as a necessary clarification in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people, 24and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations,#The same Greek word, occurring three times in this verse, can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Arrival of the Son of Man

25“And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity from the noise of the sea and its surging, 26people fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.#An allusion to Isa 34:4 27And then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud#An allusion to Dan 7:13 with power and great glory. 28But when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“begin”) these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!”

The Parable of the Fig Tree

29And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they put out foliage,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation now you see for yourselves and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“see”) has been translated as a finite verb know that by this time the summer is near. 31So also you, when you see these things happening, know#Or “you know” that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I say to you that this generation will never pass away until all things take place! 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Be Alert

34“But take care for yourselves, lest your hearts are weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of daily life, and that day come upon you suddenly 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who reside on the face of the whole earth. 36But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37So throughout the days he was teaching in the temple courts,#*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself and throughout the nights he was going out and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“was going out”) has been translated as a finite verb spending the night on the hill that is called the Mount of Olives. 38And all the people were getting up very early in the morning to come#*The words “to come” are not in the Greek text but are implied to him in the temple courts#*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself to listen to him.

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Luke 21: LEB

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