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.
Overview of Luke Chapter 21
Luke Chapter 21 contains significant teachings and prophecies from Jesus regarding the end times, the destruction of the temple, and the importance of vigilance and faithfulness. The chapter is divided into several key sections, each addressing different themes and messages.
1. The Widow’s Offering (Verses 1-4)
In these verses, Jesus observes people putting money into the temple treasury. He highlights the actions of a poor widow who contributes two small coins.
- Contrast of Contributions: Jesus contrasts the large donations of the wealthy with the small offering of the widow.
- Value of Sacrifice: He emphasizes that the widow’s offering, though small in monetary value, is greater because it represents all she has.
- Lesson on Generosity: This passage teaches the principle that true generosity is measured by the heart and sacrifice behind the gift, not just the amount given.
2. Prophecy of the Destruction of the Temple (Verses 5-6)
As the disciples admire the grandeur of the temple, Jesus foretells its destruction.
- Significance of the Temple: The temple was a central place of worship and a symbol of God’s presence among His people.
- Prophetic Warning: Jesus predicts that the temple will be completely destroyed, which foreshadows the events leading to the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
3. Signs of the End Times (Verses 7-19)
In response to the disciples’ questions about when these events will happen, Jesus provides a series of signs and warnings.
- Deception and False Messiahs: Jesus warns of many who will come in His name claiming to be the Messiah.
- Wars and Natural Disasters: He mentions wars, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences as signs of the times.
- Persecution of Believers: Jesus foretells that His followers will face persecution, betrayal, and even death.
- Call to Endurance: He encourages believers to endure through these trials, promising that their perseverance will lead to salvation.
4. The Destruction of Jerusalem (Verses 20-24)
Jesus provides a specific prophecy regarding the siege and destruction of Jerusalem.
- Warning to Flee: He instructs those in Judea to flee to the mountains when they see Jerusalem surrounded by armies.
- Time of Retribution: This period is described as a time of great distress, fulfilling the prophecies of judgment against the people.
- Significance of the Gentiles: Jesus notes that Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
5. The Coming of the Son of Man (Verses 25-28)
Jesus speaks of cosmic signs that will precede His return.
- Signs in the Heavens: He describes distress among nations and signs in the sun, moon, and stars.
- Return of Christ: The passage emphasizes the coming of the Son of Man in a cloud with power and great glory.
- Encouragement to Believers: Jesus encourages His followers to lift their heads, as their redemption is drawing near.
6. The Parable of the Fig Tree (Verses 29-33)
Jesus uses the fig tree as a metaphor for recognizing the signs of the times.
- Understanding the Signs: Just as one can discern the changing seasons by observing the fig tree, so too can one recognize the approaching end times.
- Certainty of His Words: Jesus asserts that His words will not pass away, underscoring the reliability of His teachings.
7. Exhortation to Watchfulness (Verses 34-36)
The chapter concludes with a call to vigilance and prayer.
- Warning Against Complacency: Jesus warns against being weighed down by the cares of life, which can lead to spiritual unpreparedness.
- Call to Prayer: He encourages His followers to pray for strength to stand before the Son of Man.
- Importance of Readiness: The emphasis is on being spiritually alert and prepared for His return.
Conclusion
Luke Chapter 21 serves as a profound reminder of the importance of faith, vigilance, and readiness in the face of trials and the uncertainties of the future. Jesus’ teachings provide both warning and hope, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to be aware of the signs of the times.
