Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Luke » Chapter 21 » Verse 1-38

Luke 21:1-38 King James Version (KJV)

1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.


Luke 21:1-38 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And G1161 he looked up, G308 and saw G1492 the rich men G4145 casting G906 their G846 gifts G1435 into G1519 the treasury. G1049

2 And G1161 he saw G1492 also G2532 a certain G5100 poor G3998 widow G5503 casting G906 in thither G1563 two G1417 mites. G3016

3 And G2532 he said, G2036 Of a truth G230 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 this G3778 poor G4434 widow G5503 hath cast G906 in more than G4119 they all: G3956

4 For G1063 all G537 these G3778 have of G1537 their G846 abundance G4052 cast G906 in unto G1519 the offerings G1435 of God: G2316 but G1161 she G3778 G846 of G1537 her G846 penury G5303 hath cast G906 in all G537 the living G979 that G3739 she had. G2192

5 And G2532 as some G5100 spake G3004 of G4012 the temple, G2411 how G3754 it was adorned G2885 with goodly G2570 stones G3037 and G2532 gifts, G334 he said, G2036

6 As for these things G5023 which G3739 ye behold, G2334 the days G2250 will come, G2064 in G1722 the which G3739 there shall G863 not G3756 be left G863 one stone G3037 upon G1909 another, G3037 that G3739 shall G2647 not G3756 be thrown down. G2647

7 And G1161 they asked G1905 him, G846 saying, G3004 Master, G1320 but G3767 when G4219 shall G2071 these things G5023 be? G2071 and G2532 what G5101 sign G4592 will there be when G3752 these things G5023 shall G3195 come to pass? G1096

8 And G1161 he said, G2036 Take heed G991 that ye be G4105 not G3361 deceived: G4105 for G1063 many G4183 shall come G2064 in G1909 my G3450 name, G3686 saying, G3004 G3754 I G1473 am G1510 Christ; and G2532 the time G2540 draweth near: G1448 go ye G4198 not G3361 therefore G3767 after G3694 them. G846

9 But G1161 when G3752 ye shall hear G191 of wars G4171 and G2532 commotions, G181 be G4422 not G3361 terrified: G4422 for G1063 these things G5023 must G1163 first G4412 come to pass; G1096 but G235 the end G5056 is not G3756 by and by. G2112

10 Then G5119 said he G3004 unto them, G846 Nation G1484 shall rise G1453 against G1909 nation, G1484 and G2532 kingdom G932 against G1909 kingdom: G932

11 And G5037 great G3173 earthquakes G4578 shall be G2071 in G2596 divers places, G5117 and G2532 famines, G3042 and G2532 pestilences; G3061 and G5037 fearful sights G5400 and G2532 great G3173 signs G4592 shall there be G2071 from G575 heaven. G3772

12 But G1161 before G4253 all G537 these, G5130 they shall lay G1911 their G846 hands G5495 on G1909 you, G5209 and G2532 persecute G1377 you, delivering G3860 you up G1519 to the synagogues, G4864 and G2532 into prisons, G5438 being brought G71 before G1909 kings G935 and G2532 rulers G2232 for G1752 my G3450 name's G3686 sake. G1752

13 And G1161 it shall turn G576 to you G5213 for G1519 a testimony. G3142

14 Settle G5087 it therefore G3767 in G1519 your G5216 hearts, G2588 not G3361 to meditate before G4304 what ye shall answer: G626

15 For G1063 I G1473 will give G1325 you G5213 a mouth G4750 and G2532 wisdom, G4678 which G3739 all G3956 your G5213 adversaries G480 shall G1410 not G3756 be able G1410 to gainsay G471 nor G3761 resist. G436

16 And G1161 ye shall be betrayed G3860 both G2532 by G5259 parents, G1118 and G2532 brethren, G80 and G2532 kinsfolks, G4773 and G2532 friends; G5384 and G2532 some of G1537 you G5216 shall they cause to be put to death. G2289

17 And G2532 ye shall be G2071 hated G3404 of G5259 all G3956 men for G1223 my G3450 name's sake. G3686

18 But G2532 there shall not G3364 an hair G2359 of G1537 your G5216 head G2776 perish. G622

19 In G1722 your G5216 patience G5281 possess ye G2932 your G5216 souls. G5590

20 And G1161 when G3752 ye shall see G1492 Jerusalem G2419 compassed G2944 with G5259 armies, G4760 then G5119 know G1097 that G3754 the desolation G2050 thereof G846 is nigh. G1448

21 Then G5119 let them G5343 which are in G1722 Judaea G2449 flee G5343 to G1519 the mountains; G3735 and G2532 let them G1633 which are in G1722 the midst G3319 of it G846 depart out; G1633 and G2532 let G1525 not G3361 them that are in G1722 the countries G5561 enter G1525 thereinto. G1519 G846

22 For G3754 these G3778 be G1526 the days G2250 of vengeance, G1557 that all things G3956 which G3588 are written G1125 may be fulfilled. G4137

23 But G1161 woe G3759 unto G1722 them that are with child, G1064 G2192 and G2532 to them that give suck, G2337 in G1722 those G1565 days! G2250 for G1063 there shall be G2071 great G3173 distress G318 in G1909 the land, G1093 and G2532 wrath G3709 upon G1722 this G5129 people. G2992

24 And G2532 they shall fall G4098 by the edge G4750 of the sword, G3162 and G2532 shall be led away captive G163 into G1519 all G3956 nations: G1484 and G2532 Jerusalem G2419 shall be G2071 trodden down G3961 of G5259 the Gentiles, G1484 until G891 the times G2540 of the Gentiles G1484 be fulfilled. G4137

25 And G2532 there shall be G2071 signs G4592 in G1722 the sun, G2246 and G2532 in the moon, G4582 and G2532 in the stars; G798 and G2532 upon G1909 the earth G1093 distress G4928 of nations, G1484 with G1722 perplexity; G640 the sea G2281 and G2532 the waves G4535 roaring; G2278

26 Men's G444 hearts failing them G674 for G575 fear, G5401 and G2532 for looking after G4329 those things which are coming on G1904 the earth: G3625 for G1063 the powers G1411 of heaven G3772 shall be shaken. G4531

27 And G2532 then G5119 shall they see G3700 the Son G5207 of man G444 coming G2064 in G1722 a cloud G3507 with G3326 power G1411 and G2532 great G4183 glory. G1391

28 And G1161 when these things G5130 begin G756 to come to pass, G1096 then look up, G352 and G2532 lift up G1869 your G5216 heads; G2776 for G1360 your G5216 redemption G629 draweth nigh. G1448

29 And G2532 he spake G2036 to them G846 a parable; G3850 Behold G1492 the fig tree, G4808 and G2532 all G3956 the trees; G1186

30 When G3752 they now G2235 shoot forth, G4261 ye see G991 and know G1097 of G575 your own selves G1438 that G3754 summer G2330 is G2076 now G2235 nigh at hand. G1451

31 So G3779 likewise G2532 ye, G5210 when G3752 ye see G1492 these things G5023 come to pass, G1096 know ye G1097 that G3754 the kingdom G932 of God G2316 is G2076 nigh at hand. G1451

32 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 This G3778 generation G1074 shall G3928 not G3364 pass away, G3928 G302 till G2193 all G3956 be fulfilled. G1096

33 Heaven G3772 and G2532 earth G1093 shall pass away: G3928 but G1161 my G3450 words G3056 shall G3928 not G3364 pass away. G3928

34 And G1161 take heed G4337 to yourselves, G1438 lest at any time G3379 your G5216 hearts G2588 be overcharged G925 with G1722 surfeiting, G2897 and G2532 drunkenness, G3178 and G2532 cares G3308 of this life, G982 and G2532 so that G1565 day G2250 come G2186 upon G1909 you G5209 unawares. G160

35 For G1063 as G5613 a snare G3803 shall it come G1904 on G1909 all G3956 them that dwell G2521 on G1909 the face G4383 of the whole G3956 earth. G1093

36 Watch ye G69 therefore, G3767 and pray G1189 always, G1722 G3956 G2540 that G2443 ye may be accounted worthy G2661 to escape G1628 all G3956 these things G5023 that shall G3195 come to pass, G1096 and G2532 to stand G2476 before G1715 the Son G5207 of man. G444

37 And G1161 in the day time G2250 he was G2258 teaching G1321 in G1722 the temple; G2411 and G1161 at night G3571 he went out, G1831 and abode G835 in G1519 the mount G3735 that is called G2564 the mount of Olives. G1636

38 And G2532 all G3956 the people G2992 came early in the morning G3719 to G4314 him G846 in G1722 the temple, G2411 for to hear G191 him. G846


Luke 21:1-38 American Standard (ASV)

1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury.

2 And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all:

4 for all these did of their superfluity cast in unto the gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had.

5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said,

6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in which there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

7 And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when therefore shall these things be? and what `shall be' the sign when these things are about to come to pass?

8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am `he'; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them.

9 And when ye shall hear of wars and tumults, be not terrified: for these things must needs come to pass first; but the end is not immediately.

10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;

11 and there shall be great earthquakes, and in divers places famines and pestilences; and there shall be terrors and great signs from heaven.

12 But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you, and shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake.

13 It shall turn out unto you for a testimony.

14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand how to answer:

15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.

16 But ye shall be delivered up even by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and `some' of you shall they cause to be put to death.

17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

18 And not a hair of your head shall perish.

19 In your patience ye shall win your souls.

20 But when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand.

21 Then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of her depart out; and let not them that are in the country enter therein.

22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23 Woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! for there shall be great distress upon the land, and wrath unto this people.

24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

25 And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows;

26 men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.

29 And he spake to them a parable: Behold the fig tree, and all the trees:

30 when they now shoot forth, ye see it and know of your own selves that the summer is now nigh.

31 Even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh.

32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34 But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare:

35 for `so' shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth.

36 But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

37 And every day he was teaching in the temple; and every night he went out, and lodged in the mount that is called Olivet.

38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him.


Luke 21:1-38 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And having looked up, he saw those who did cast their gifts to the treasury -- rich men,

2 and he saw also a certain poor widow casting there two mites,

3 and he said, `Truly I say to you, that this poor widow did cast in more than all;

4 for all these out of their superabundance did cast into the gifts to God, but this one out of her want, all the living that she had, did cast in.'

5 And certain saying about the temple, that with goodly stones and devoted things it hath been adorned, he said,

6 `These things that ye behold -- days will come, in which there shall not be left a stone upon a stone, that shall not be thrown down.'

7 And they questioned him, saying, `Teacher, when, then, shall these things be? and what `is' the sign when these things may be about to happen?'

8 And he said, `See -- ye may not be led astray, for many shall come in my name, saying -- I am `he', and the time hath come nigh; go not on then after them;

9 and when ye may hear of wars and uprisings, be not terrified, for it behoveth these things to happen first, but the end `is' not immediately.'

10 Then said he to them, `Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,

11 great shakings also in every place, and famines, and pestilences, there shall be; fearful things also, and great signs from heaven there shall be;

12 and before all these, they shall lay on you their hands, and persecute, delivering up to synagogues and prisons, being brought before kings and governors for my name's sake;

13 and it shall become to you for a testimony.

14 `Settle, then, to your hearts, not to meditate beforehand to reply,

15 for I will give to you a mouth and wisdom that all your opposers shall not be able to refute or resist.

16 `And ye shall be delivered up also by parents, and brothers, and kindred, and friends, and they shall put of you to death;

17 and ye shall be hated by all because of my name --

18 and a hair out of your head shall not perish;

19 in your patience possess ye your souls.

20 `And when ye may see Jerusalem surrounded by encampments, then know that come nigh did her desolation;

21 then those in Judea, let them flee to the mountains; and those in her midst, let them depart out; and those in the countries, let them not come in to her;

22 because these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all things that have been written.

23 `And wo to those with child, and to those giving suck, in those days; for there shall be great distress on the land, and wrath on this people;

24 and they shall fall by the mouth of the sword, and shall be led captive to all the nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by nations, till the times of nations be fulfilled.

25 `And there shall be signs in sun, and moon, and stars, and on the land `is' distress of nations with perplexity, sea and billow roaring;

26 men fainting at heart from fear, and expectation of the things coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

27 `And then they shall see the Son of Man, coming in a cloud, with power and much glory;

28 and these things beginning to happen bend yourselves back, and lift up your heads, because your redemption doth draw nigh.'

29 And he spake a simile to them: `See the fig-tree, and all the trees,

30 when they may now cast forth, having seen, of yourselves ye know that now is the summer nigh;

31 so also ye, when ye may see these things happening, ye know that near is the reign of God;

32 verily I say to you -- This generation may not pass away till all may have come to pass;

33 the heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words may not pass away.

34 `And take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts may be weighed down with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day may come on you,

35 for as a snare it shall come on all those dwelling on the face of all the land,

36 watch ye, then, in every season, praying that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are about to come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.'

37 And he was during the days in the temple teaching, and during the nights, going forth, he was lodging at the mount called of Olives;

38 and all the people were coming early unto him in the temple to hear him.


Luke 21:1-38 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And he looked up and saw the rich casting their gifts into the treasury;

2 but he saw also a certain poor widow casting therein two mites.

3 And he said, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow has cast in more than all;

4 for all these out of their abundance have cast into the gifts [of God]; but she out of her need has cast in all the living which she had.

5 And as some spoke of the temple, that it was adorned with goodly stones and consecrated offerings, he said,

6 [As to] these things which ye are beholding, days are coming in which there shall not be left stone upon stone which shall not be thrown down.

7 And they asked him saying, Teacher, when then shall these things be; and what [is] the sign when these things are going to take place?

8 And he said, See that ye be not led astray, for many shall come in my name, saying, *I* am [he], and the time is drawn nigh: go ye not [therefore] after them.

9 And when ye shall hear of wars and tumults, be not terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end is not immediately.

10 Then he said to them, Nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;

11 there shall be both great earthquakes in different places, and famines and pestilences; and there shall be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

12 But before all these things they shall lay their hands upon you and persecute you, delivering [you] up to synagogues and prisons, bringing [you] before kings and governors on account of my name;

13 but it shall turn out to you for a testimony.

14 Settle therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand [your] defence,

15 for *I* will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your opposers shall not be able to reply to or resist.

16 But ye will be delivered up even by parents and brethren and relations and friends, and they shall put to death [some] from among you,

17 and ye will be hated of all for my name's sake.

18 And a hair of your head shall in no wise perish.

19 By your patient endurance gain your souls.

20 But when ye see Jerusalem encompassed with armies, then know that its desolation is drawn nigh.

21 Then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of it depart out, and those who are in the country not enter into it;

22 for these are days of avenging, that all the things that are written may be accomplished.

23 But woe to them that are with child and to them who give suck in those days, for there shall be great distress upon the land and wrath upon this people.

24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of [the] nations until [the] times of [the] nations be fulfilled.

25 And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity [at] the roar of the sea and rolling waves,

26 men ready to die through fear and expectation of what is coming on the habitable earth, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws nigh.

29 And he spoke a parable to them: Behold the fig-tree and all the trees;

30 when they already sprout, ye know of your own selves, [on] looking [at them], that already the summer is near.

31 So also *ye*, when ye see these things take place, know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall in no wise pass away until all come to pass.

33 The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall in no wise pass away.

34 But take heed to yourselves lest possibly your hearts be laden with surfeiting and drinking and cares of life, and that day come upon you suddenly unawares;

35 for as a snare shall it come upon all them that dwell upon the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch therefore, praying at every season, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things which are about to come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

37 And by day he was teaching in the temple, and by night, going out, he remained abroad on the mountain called [the mount] of Olives;

38 and all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.


Luke 21:1-38 World English Bible (WEB)

1 He looked up, and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury.

2 He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.{literally, "two lepta." 2 lepta was about 1% of a day's wages for an agricultural laborer.}

3 He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them,

4 for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on."

5 As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,

6 "As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down."

7 They asked him, "Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?"

8 He said, "Watch out that you don't get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I AM,' and, 'The time is at hand.' Therefore don't follow them.

9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, don't be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won't come immediately."

10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake.

13 It will turn out as a testimony for you.

14 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,

15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.

16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. Some of you they will cause to be put to death.

17 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake.

18 And not a hair of your head will perish.

19 By your endurance you will win your lives.

20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.

21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein.

22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people.

24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;

26 men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near."

29 He told them a parable. "See the fig tree, and all the trees.

30 When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near.

31 Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.

32 Most assuredly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.

33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.

34 "So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.

35 For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth.

36 Therefore be watchful all the time, asking that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."

37 Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet.

38 All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.


Luke 21:1-38 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And looking up, he saw the men of wealth putting their offerings in the money-box.

2 And he saw a certain poor widow putting in a farthing.

3 And he said, Truly I say to you, This poor widow has given more than all of them:

4 For they gave out of their wealth, having more than enough for themselves: but she, even out of her need, has put in all her living.

5 And some were talking about the Temple, how it was made fair with beautiful stones and with offerings, but he said,

6 As for these things which you see, the days will come when not one stone will be resting on another, but all will be broken down.

7 And they said to him, Master, when will these things be? and what sign will there be when these events are to take place?

8 And he said, Take care that you are not tricked: for a number of people will come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is near: do not go after them.

9 And when news of wars and troubled times comes to your ears, have no fear; for these things have to be, but the end will not be now.

10 Then he said to them, Nation will be moved against nation and kingdom against kingdom:

11 There will be great earth-shocks and outbursts of disease in a number of places, and men will be without food; and there will be wonders and great signs from heaven.

12 But before all this, they will take you and be very cruel to you, giving you up to the Synagogues and to prisons, taking you before kings and rulers, because of my name.

13 And it will be turned to a witness for you.

14 So take care not to be troubled before the time comes, about what answers you will give:

15 For I will give you words and wisdom, so that not one of those who are against you will be able to get the better of you, or to put you in the wrong.

16 But you will be given up even by your fathers and mothers, your brothers and relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death.

17 And you will be hated by all men, because of me.

18 But not a hair of your head will come to destruction.

19 By going through all these things, you will keep your lives.

20 But when you see armies all round about Jerusalem, then be certain that her destruction is near.

21 Then let those who are in Judaea go in flight to the mountains; and those who are in the middle of the town go out; and let not those who are in the country come in.

22 For these are the days of punishment, in which all the things in the Writings will be put into effect.

23 It will be hard for women who are with child, and for her with a baby at the breast, in those days. For great trouble will come on the land, and wrath on this people.

24 And they will be put to death with the sword, and will be taken as prisoners into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be crushed under the feet of the Gentiles, till the times of the Gentiles are complete.

25 And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth, fear among the nations and doubt because of the loud noise of the sea and the waves;

26 Men's strength will go from them in fear and in waiting for the things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of the heavens will be moved.

27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory.

28 But when these things come about, let your heads be lifted up, because your salvation is near.

29 And he made a story for them: See the fig-tree, and all the trees;

30 When they put out their young leaves, you take note of it, and it is clear to you that summer is coming.

31 In the same way, when you see these things taking place you may be certain that the kingdom of God is near.

32 Truly I say to you, This generation will not come to an end till all things are complete.

33 Heaven and earth will come to an end, but my words will not come to an end.

34 But give attention to yourselves, for fear that your hearts become over-full of the pleasures of food and wine, and the cares of this life, and that day may come on you suddenly, and take you as in a net:

35 For so it will come on all those who are living on the face of all the earth.

36 But keep watch at all times with prayer, that you may be strong enough to come through all these things and take your place before the Son of man.

37 And every day he was teaching in the Temple and every night he went out to the mountain which is named the Mountain of Olives to take his rest.

38 And all the people came early in the morning to give ear to his words in the Temple.

Commentary on Luke 21 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 21

Lu 21:1-4. The Widow's Two Mites.

1. looked up—He had "sat down over against the treasury" (Mr 12:41), probably to rest, for He had continued long standing as he taught in the temple court (Mr 11:27), and "looking up He saw"—as in Zaccheus' case, not quite casually.

the rich, &c.—"the people," says Mr 12:41 "cast money into the treasury, and many rich east in much"; that is, into chests deposited in one of the courts of the temple to receive the offerings of the people towards its maintenance (2Ki 12:9; Joh 8:20).

2. two mites—"which make a farthing" (Mr 12:42), the smallest Jewish coin. "She might have kept one" [Bengel].

3. And he said—"to His disciples," whom He "called to Him" (Mr 12:43), to teach from it a great future lesson.

more than … all—in proportion to her means, which is God's standard (2Co 8:12).

4. of their abundance—their superfluity; what they had to spare," or beyond what they needed.

of her penury—or "want" (Mr 12:44)—her deficiency, of what was less than her own wants required, "all the living she had." Mark (Mr 12:44) still more emphatically, "all that she had—her whole subsistence." Note: (1) As temple offerings are needed still for the service of Christ at home and abroad, so "looking down" now, as then "up," Me "sees" who "cast in," and how much. (2) Christ's standard of commendable offering is not our superfluity, but our deficiency—not what will never be missed, but what costs us some real sacrifice, and just in proportion to the relative amount of that sacrifice. (See 2Co 8:1-3.)

Lu 21:5-38. Christ's Prophecy of the Destruction of Jerusalem and Warnings to Prepare for His Second Coming, Suggested by ItHis Days and Nights during His Last Week.

5-7. (See on Mt 24:1-3.)

8. the time—of the Kingdom, in its full glory.

go … not … after them—"I come not so very soon" (2Th 2:1, 2) [Stier].

9-11. not terrified—(See Lu 21:19; Isa 8:11-14).

end not by and by—or immediately, not yet (Mt 24:6; Mr 13:7): that is, "Worse must come before all is over."

10. Nation, &c.—Matthew and Mark (Mt 24:8; Mr 13:8) add, "All these are the beginning of sorrows," or travail pangs, to which heavy calamities are compared (Jer 4:31, &c.).

12. brought before, &c.—The book of Acts verifies all this.

13. for a testimony—an opportunity of bearing testimony.

18. not a hair … perish—He had just said (Lu 21:16) they should be put to death; showing that this precious promise is far above immunity from mere bodily harm, and furnishing a key to the right interpretation of the ninety-first Psalm, and such like. Matthew adds the following (Mt 24:12): "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many," the many or, the most—the generality of professed disciples—"shall wax cold." But he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Sad illustrations of the effect of abounding iniquity in cooling the love of faithful disciples we have in the Epistle of James, written about this period referred to, and too frequently ever since (Heb 10:38, 39; Re 2:10). "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness, and then shall the end come" (Mt 24:14). God never sends judgment without previous warning; and there can be no doubt that the Jews, already dispersed over most known countries, had nearly all heard the Gospel "as a witness," before the end of the Jewish state. The same principle was repeated and will repeat itself to the end.

20, 21. by armies—encamped armies, that is, besieged: "the abomination of desolation" (meaning the Roman ensigns, as the symbols of an idolatrous, pagan, unclean power) "spoken of by Daniel the prophet" (Da 9:27) "standing where it ought not" (Mr 13:14). "Whoso readeth [that prophecy] let him understand" (Mt 24:15).

Then … flee, &c.—Eusebius says the Christians fled to Pella, at the north extremity of Perea, being "prophetically directed"; perhaps by some prophetic intimation still more explicit than this, which still would be their chart.

23. woe unto—"alas for."

with child, &c.—from the greater suffering it would involve; as also "flight in winter, and on the sabbath," which they were to "pray" against (Mt 24:20), the one as more trying to the body, the other to the soul. "For then shall be tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world, nor ever shall be"—language not unusual in the Old Testament for tremendous calamities, though of this it may perhaps be literally said, "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved, but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Mt 24:21, 22). But for this merciful "shortening," brought about by a remarkable concurrence of causes, the whole nation would have perished, in which there yet remained a remnant to be afterwards gathered out. Here in Matthew and Mark (Mt 24:24; Mr 13:22) are some particulars about "false Christs," who should, "if possible"—a precious clause—"deceive the very elect." (Compare 2Th 2:9-11; Re 13:13.)

24. Jerusalem … trodden down … until, &c.—Implying (1) that one day Jerusalem shall cease to be "trodden down by the Gentiles" (Re 11:2), as then by pagan so now by Mohammedan unbelievers; (2) that this shall be at the "completion" of "the times of the Gentiles," which from Ro 11:25 (taken from this) we conclude to mean till the Gentiles have had their full time of that place in the Church which the Jews in their time had before them—after which, the Jews being again "grafted into their own olive tree," one Church of Jew and Gentile together shall fill the earth (Ro 11:1-36). What a vista this opens up!

25-28. signs, &c.—Though the grandeur of this language carries the mind over the head of all periods but that of Christ's second coming, nearly every expression will be found used of the Lord's coming in terrible national judgments, as of Babylon, &c.; and from Lu 21:28, 32, it seems undeniable that its immediate reference was to the destruction of Jerusalem, though its ultimate reference beyond doubt is to Christ's final coming.

28. redemption—from the oppression of ecclesiastical despotism and legal bondage by the total subversion of the Jewish state and the firm establishment of the evangelical kingdom (Lu 21:31). But the words are of far wider and more precious import. Matthew (Mt 24:30) says, "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven," evidently something distinct from Himself, mentioned immediately after. What this was intended to mean, interpreters are not agreed. But as before Christ came to destroy Jerusalem, some appalling portents were seen in the air, so before His personal appearing it is likely that something analogous will be witnessed, though of what nature it is vain to conjecture.

32. This generation—not "this nation," as some interpret it, which, though admissible in itself, seems very unnatural here. It is rather as in Lu 9:27.

34-37. surfeiting, and drunkenness—All animal excesses, quenching spirituality.

cares of this life—(See on Mr 4:7; Mr 4:19).

36. Watch … pray, &c.—the two great duties which in prospect of trial are constantly enjoined. These warnings, suggested by the need of preparedness for the tremendous calamities approaching, and the total wreck of the existing state of things, are the general improvement of the whole discourse, carrying the mind forward to Judgment and Vengeance of another kind and on a grander and more awful scale—not ecclesiastical or political but personal, not temporal but eternal—when all safety and blessedness will be found to lie in being able to "STAND BEFORE THE Son of Man" in the glory of His personal appearing.

37, 38. in the daytime—of this His last week.

abode in the mount—that is, at Bethany (Mt 21:17).