Luke 21
21
The Widow’s Offering
1As Jesus looked up, he saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple offering boxes. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “that poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All those other people gave something out of their riches, but even though she is poor, she put in everything she had to live on.”
When the Temple Will Be Destroyed and the Signs of the End
5Some of Jesus’ disciples were remarking how the temple was decorated with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus asked, 6“Do you see all this? The time will come when not one stone will be left on top of another. Every stone will be thrown down.”
7“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
8Jesus replied, “Keep watch! Be careful that you are not fooled. Many will come in my name and claim, ‘I’m the one!’ And they will say, ‘The time is near!’ Do not follow them. 9And don’t be afraid when you hear about wars and revolts. Those things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
10Then Jesus said to them, “Nation will fight against nation and kingdom will fight against kingdom. 11In many places there will be powerful earthquakes, people will go hungry, and there will be terrible diseases. Things will happen that will make people afraid, and there will be great signs from heaven.
12“But before all this, people will arrest you and systematically oppress you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison. You will be brought to kings and governors. All this will happen to you because of my name, 13so you will be witnesses about me. 14But make up your mind not to worry ahead of time about how to defend yourselves. 15I will give you words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to challenge or contradict. 16Even your parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends will hand you over to the authorities. They will put some of you to death, 17and everyone will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair on your head will be harmed. 19Remain strong in the faith, and you will receive eternal life.
20“A time is coming when you will see armies surround Jerusalem. Then you will know that it will soon be destroyed. 21Those who are in Judea should then escape to the mountains. Those who are in the city should get out, and those who are in the country should not enter the city. 22This is the time when God will punish Jerusalem. Everything will come true, just as it has been written. 23How awful it will be in those days for pregnant women and for nursing mothers! There will be terrible suffering in the land and great anger against its people. 24Some will be killed by the sword and others will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be taken over by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles come to an end.
25“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. The nations of the earth will be distressed and confused by the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26People will faint from terror because they are so worried about what is happening in the world. The sun, moon, and stars will be shaken from their places. 27At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to happen, stand up and hold your heads high, because the time is near when you will be set free.”
29Jesus told them a story. “Look at the fig tree and all the trees,” he said. 30“When you see leaves appear on the branches, you know that summer is near. 31In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that God’s kingdom is near.
32“Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34“Be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with partying, drunkenness, and the worries of life. Then the day when the Son of Man returns will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35That day will come on every person who lives on the whole earth. 36So always keep watching. Pray that you will be able to escape all that is about to happen, and pray that you will be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
37Each day Jesus taught at the temple, and each evening he went to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives. 38All the people came to the temple early each morning because they wanted to hear Jesus speak.
Currently Selected:
Luke 21: RAD
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Radiate™ New Testament
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014, 2020 by Biblica, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.