Luk 21 | BSB | STEP | Then [Jesus] looked up [and] saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,

‏ Luke 21

The Poor Widow's Offering

1 Then [Jesus] looked up [and] saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. ^{▼▼Greek two lepta; a lepton was a Jewish copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius} 3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all [the others] . 4 For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

Temple Destruction Foretold

5 As some [of the disciples] were remarking how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, [Jesus] said, 6 “ [As for] what you see here, [the] time will come [when] not one stone will be left on [another] ; [every one] will be toppled.” 7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when {will} these things happen? And what [will be] the sign [that] they are about to take place?” 8 [Jesus] answered, “See to it that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am [He] ,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ {Do} not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and rebellions, {do} not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end [is] not imminent.”

Witnessing to All Nations

10 Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all [this] , they will seize you and persecute [you] . On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, [and] they will bring [you] before kings and governors. 13 This will be your opportunity to serve as witnesses. 14 So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist [or] contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and [some] of you will be put to death. 17 And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. 18 Yet not even a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your patient endurance, you will gain your souls.

The Destruction of Jerusalem

20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. 21 Then {let} those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, {let} those in [the city] get out, and {let} those in the country stay out of [the city] . 22 For these are [the] days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 How miserable those days [will be] [for] pregnant and nursing [mothers] . For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by [the] edge of [the] sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by [the] Gentiles, until [the] times of [the] Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Return of the Son of Man

25 There will be signs in [the] sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by [the] roaring of [the] sea and [the] surging of the waves. 26 Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ^{▼▼See Daniel 7:13-14} 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29 Then [Jesus] told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves [and] know that summer is near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all [these things] have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Be Watchful for the Day

34 But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and [the] worries of life— and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 [So] keep watch at all times, [and] pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 [Every] day [Jesus] taught at the temple, but [every] evening He went out to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38 And early in the morning all the people {would come} to hear Him at the temple.