See Verse / Commentary

Luke

Looking up, Jesus saw rich people putting their gifts into the Temple treasury collection box. He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins, and he said, “I am telling you the truth: this poor widow put in more than everyone else, because they gave from their excess, but she gave from her poverty everything she had to live on.” Some people there were speaking about the Temple — how wonderful the stonework and donated gift offerings were. Jesus said, “As for these things you are looking at, the days will come when not one stone will be left on top of another; everything will be torn down.” So they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” Jesus said, “Watch out that you are not deceived, because many people will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he — the Messiah!’ and ‘The time is close!’ Do not go after them. When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified, because such things have to come first, but the end will not follow immediately.” He continued, “Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be massive earthquakes, famines and epidemics in various places, terrifying things happening and great signs from the sky. “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. So make up your minds not to prepare in advance to defend yourselves, because I will give you words to speak and wisdom which none of your enemies will be able to oppose or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will kill some of you. You will be hated by everyone because of me. Yet not a single hair of your head will perish. By your faithful endurance you will gain your lives. “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that her desolation is near. Then those in Judea should flee to the mountains, and those in the city should leave, and those in the country should not go into the city, because these are days of punishment, so that everything written will be fulfilled. Alas for those who are pregnant or nursing babies at that time, because there will be great distress in the land and anger against this people. They will be cut down by the sword and taken away as prisoners into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the appointed times of the Gentiles have been fulfilled. “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and on the earth the nations will be in turmoil, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will be fainting because of fear, terrified about what is coming upon the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and brilliant glory. When these things start to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is about to come.” Then he told them a parable: “Look at a fig tree and all the other trees. When you see them growing new leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. I am telling you the truth: this evil society will not pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “Watch out! Make sure you do not get preoccupied with partying or drinking or the worries of life, or that day will catch you suddenly like a trap. For that day will come on everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. But keep on the 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.” During the day Jesus was teaching in the Temple, and every evening he would go out and spend the night on the hill known as the Mount of Olives. All the people would get up early to come and listen to him in the Temple.

Luke