Luke 21
The Widow’s Offering
aJesus looked up and saw the rich bputting their gifts into cthe offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two asmall copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, athis poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her apoverty put in all bshe had to live on.”
Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple
5 aAnd while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, athe days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, awhen will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, a“See that you are not led astray. For bmany will come in my name, saying, c‘I am he!’ and, d‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be aterrified, for these things bmust first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution
10 Then he said to them, a“Nation will rise against nation, and bkingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great aearthquakes, and in various places bfamines and pestilences. And there will be cterrors and great dsigns from heaven. 12 But before all this athey will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to bthe synagogues and cprisons, and you dwill be brought before ekings and fgovernors for my name’s sake. 13 aThis will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds anot to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for aI will give you a mouth and bwisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or ccontradict. 16 You will be delivered up aeven by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 aYou will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But anot a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your aendurance you will gain your lives.
Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem
20 “But awhen you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that bits desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are adays of bvengeance, to fulfill call that is written. 23 aAlas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and bwrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and abe led captive among all nations, and bJerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, cuntil the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “And athere will be signs in sun and moon band stars, and on the earth cdistress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For athe powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see athe Son of Man coming in a cloud bwith power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and araise your heads, because byour redemption is drawing near.”
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see afor yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 aTruly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 aHeaven and earth will pass away, but bmy words will not pass away.
Watch Yourselves
34 “But watch yourselves alest byour hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and ccares of this life, and dthat day come upon you suddenly elike a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But astay awake at all times, bpraying that you may chave strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and dto stand before the Son of Man.”
37 And aevery day he was teaching in the temple, but bat night he went out and lodged on cthe mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning aall the people came to him in the temple to hear him.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.