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Jesus talks about people who give things to God

21 Then Jesus looked up and saw something that was happening in the temple. There was a box for money there. Many rich people were putting their gifts of money into the box.

2 Then he saw a woman coming there. Her husband had died and she was very poor. She put two small coins that had only a little value into the box. 3 ‘Let me tell you this,’ Jesus said. ‘This poor woman has put a better gift into the box than all the other people have put in there. 4 All those rich people have plenty of money. They only gave a small part of that. But this woman has almost nothing. She put everything that she had into the box. That money was what she needed to live.’

Jesus talks about things that will happen

5 Some of Jesus' disciples were talking about the temple. They spoke about the many beautiful stones in the walls. They also spoke about the many gifts to God that people had put there. 6 Jesus said to them, ‘You can see all these beautiful things now. But a day is coming when enemies will completely destroy it all. Not even one stone will remain on top of another stone.’

7 ‘Teacher,’ they asked, ‘When will all these things happen? What will show us that they will soon happen?’

8 Jesus replied. ‘Be careful! Some people will tell you things that are not true. Do not believe them. Many people will say that they have come on my behalf. They will say, “I am the Messiah.” They will say, “Now is the time!” Do not agree with those people. 9 You will hear about wars and people fighting each other. Do not be afraid. Those things must happen first, but the end of everything will not happen immediately.’

10 Jesus then said to them, ‘People from one country will attack the people from another country. Kings and their armies will fight against other kings and their armies. 11 The ground will shake, so that people will be afraid. In many different places, people will be hungry, with no food. Diseases will go from one person to another. Many people will die. Things will also happen in the sky that will frighten people.

12 But before all those things happen, people will take hold of you. They will do bad things to you and give you pain. They will take you to the leaders in their meeting places and they will keep you in prisons. They will make you stand in front of kings and rulers. All this will happen because you are my disciples. 13 This will be the time to tell them the good news about me. 14 So prepare your minds. You must decide not to think about how to answer the questions of kings and rulers. Wait until that time comes. 15 I will give you the right words to speak at that time. I will help you to be wise. The people who are against you will not be able to argue with you. They will just be quiet. 16 Even your parents and other people in your family will take hold of you. They will make you stand in front of kings and rulers. They will even kill some of you. 17 Everybody will hate you because you are my disciples. 18 But your life will be safe with me. You will not lose even one hair from your head. 19 Yes, you will have true life, if you remain strong.

20 One day you will see Jerusalem with armies all around it. Then you will know that enemies will soon destroy that city. 21 People in Judea must then run away to the hills to hide. People that are inside the city must leave it. People that are outside in the fields must not go back into the city. 22 This is when God will punish Israel's people. Then all the things will happen that his servants wrote about in the Bible. 23 That will be a very bad time for women who are soon to have a baby! It will also be a bad time for those women who have little babies! Yes, very bad things will happen to all the people of this country. God will be very angry with the people who live here. 24 At that time, enemies will fight God's people and kill many of them in war. They will take some of them away as prisoners to live in all the other countries. They will not be free to return home. People that are not Jews will destroy Jerusalem. They will rule here until it is time for them to stop.’ [ a ]

25 ‘You will see strange things happen to the sun and to the moon and to the stars. Down on earth, things that happen will make people in many countries very afraid. The sea will move up and down and make a lot of noise. There will be great storms. 26 These things will frighten people because they do not understand them. The powerful things in the sky will shake. People will be very afraid about what will happen next in the world. They will become very weak and fall to the ground. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man. He will come in a cloud. He will have great power and bright glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up. And look up, because God will then save you very soon.’

29 Then Jesus told them a story to explain this future time. He said, ‘Think about fig trees and other trees as well. 30 When you see new leaves on a tree, you know that summer will come soon. Nobody needs to tell you that. 31 In the same way, you will see these strange things happening. Then you will know that God will soon begin to rule in his kingdom.

32 I tell you this: The people who are alive now will not all die until all these things happen. 33 One day, the earth and the sky will have an end. But my words will be there for ever.

34 But be careful, and watch how you live. Do not eat or drink too much. Do not waste your time like that. Do not waste time by having troubles in your mind about your life. If you do, that day will surprise you. It will come when you are not looking. 35 It will surprise everyone who lives on all the earth. 36 So watch all the time! Continue to pray that you will be strong. Then you will be safe through all these things! You will stand in front of the Son of Man and you will not be afraid.’

37 Every day Jesus was teaching people in the temple. Each night he went out of the city and he stayed on the hill that is called the Mount of Olives. 38 Each morning he returned to the temple. All the people were going there early in the morning to hear him.

Footnotes

  1. 21:24 People that were not Jews ruled Jerusalem until 1948.

True Giving ( A )

21 Jesus looked up and saw some rich people putting their gifts to God into the Temple collection box. 2 Then he saw a poor widow put two small copper coins into the box. 3 He said, “This poor widow gave only two small coins. But the truth is, she gave more than all those rich people. 4 They have plenty, and they gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had to live on.”

Jesus Warns About the Future ( B )

5 Some of the followers were talking about the Temple. They said, “This is a beautiful Temple, built with the best stones. Look at the many good gifts that have been offered to God.”

6 But Jesus said, “The time will come when all that you see here will be destroyed. Every stone of these buildings will be thrown down to the ground. Not one stone will be left on another.”

7 Some followers asked Jesus, “Teacher, when will these things happen? What will show us that it is time for these things to happen?”

8 Jesus said, “Be careful! Don’t be fooled. Many people will come using my name. They will say, ‘I am the Messiah [ a ] ’ and ‘The right time has come!’ But don’t follow them. 9 When you hear about wars and riots, don’t be afraid. These things must happen first. Then the end will come later.”

10 Then Jesus said to them, “Nations will fight against other nations. Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. 11 There will be great earthquakes, sicknesses, and other bad things in many places. In some places there will be no food for the people to eat. Terrible things will happen, and amazing things will come from heaven to warn people.

12 “But before all these things happen, people will arrest you and do bad things to you. They will judge you in their synagogues and put you in jail. You will be forced to stand before kings and governors. They will do all these things to you because you follow me. 13 But this will give you an opportunity to tell about me. 14 Decide now not to worry about what you will say. 15 I will give you the wisdom to say things that none of your enemies can answer. 16 Even your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will turn against you. They will have some of you killed. 17 Everyone will hate you because you follow me. 18 But none of these things can really harm you. 19 You will save yourselves by continuing strong in your faith through all these things.

The Destruction of Jerusalem ( C )

20 “You will see armies all around Jerusalem. Then you will know that the time for its destruction has come. 21 The people in Judea at that time should run away to the mountains. The people in Jerusalem must leave quickly. If you are near the city, don’t go in! 22 The prophets wrote many things about the time when God will punish his people. The time I am talking about is when all these things must happen. 23 During that time it will be hard for women who are pregnant or have small babies, because very bad times will come to this land. God will be angry with these people. 24 Some of the people will be killed by soldiers. Others will be made prisoners and taken to all the different countries. The holy city of Jerusalem will be under the control of foreigners until their time is completed.

Don’t Fear ( D )

25 “Amazing things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. And people all over the earth will be upset and confused by the noise of the sea and its crashing waves. 26 They will be afraid and worried about what will happen to the world. Everything in the sky will be changed. 27 Then people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up tall and don’t be afraid. Know that it is almost time for God to free you!”

My Words Will Live Forever ( E )

29 Then Jesus told this story: “Look at all the trees. The fig tree is a good example. 30 When it turns green, you know that summer is very near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that God’s kingdom is very near.

32 “I assure you that all these things will happen while some of the people of this time are still living. 33 The whole world, earth and sky, will be destroyed, but my words will last forever.

Be Ready All the Time

34 “Be careful not to spend your time having parties and getting drunk or worrying about this life. If you do that, you won’t be able to think straight, and the end might come when you are not ready. 35 It will come as a surprise to everyone on earth. 36 So be ready all the time. Pray that you will be able to get through all these things that will happen and stand safe before the Son of Man.”

37 During the day Jesus taught the people in the Temple area. At night he went out of the city and stayed all night on the Mount of Olives. 38 Every morning all the people got up early to go listen to Jesus at the Temple.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:8 the Messiah Literally “the one,” meaning the chosen one sent by God. See “ Messiah ” in the Word List and Mt. 24:5.

21 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.

The Widow’s Gift

21 ( A ) Now He looked up and saw the wealthy putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting [ a ] in ( B ) two [ b ] lepta coins. 3 And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them ; 4 for they all [ c ] contributed to the [ d ] offering from their [ e ] surplus; but she, from her poverty, put in all [ f ] that she had ( C ) to live on.”

5 ( D ) And while some were talking about the temple, that it was decorated with beautiful stones and [ g ] vowed gifts, He said, 6 “ As for these things which you are observing, the days will come when ( E ) there will not be left one stone upon [ h ] another, which will not be torn down.”

7 They asked Him questions, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the [ i ] sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘ ( F ) I am He ,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ ( G ) Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and revolts, do not be alarmed; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”

Things to Come

10 Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be [ j ] massive earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrible sights and great [ k ] signs from heaven.

12 “But before all these things, ( H ) they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, [ l ] bringing you before kings and governors on account of My name. 13 ( I ) It will lead to [ m ] an opportunity for your testimony. 14 ( J ) So [ n ] make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15 for ( K ) I will provide you [ o ] eloquence and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to oppose or refute. 16 But you will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, other relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17 and you will be hated by all people because of My name. 18 And yet ( L ) not a hair of your head will perish. 19 ( M ) By your endurance you will gain your [ p ] lives.

20 “But when you see Jerusalem ( N ) surrounded by armies, then [ q ] recognize that her desolation is near. 21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside [ r ] the city must leave, and ( O ) those who are in the country must not enter [ s ] the city; 22 because these are ( P ) days of punishment, so that all things which have been written will be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for ( Q ) there will be great distress upon the [ t ] land, and wrath to this people; 24 and they will fall by ( R ) the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and ( S ) Jerusalem will be ( T ) trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until ( U ) the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Return of Christ

25 “There will be [ u ] signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the [ v ] world; for the powers of [ w ] the heavens will be shaken. 27 And ( V ) then they will see ( W ) the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because ( X ) your redemption is drawing near.”

29 And He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees: 30 as soon as they put forth leaves , you see for yourselves and ( Y ) know that summer is now near. 31 So you too, when you see these things happening, [ x ] recognize that ( Z ) the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. 33 ( AA ) Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

34 “But ( AB ) be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that [ y ] this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth. 36 But ( AC ) stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to ( AD ) stand before the Son of Man.”

37 Now [ z ] during the day He was ( AE ) teaching in the temple, but [ aa ] ( AF ) at evening He would go out and spend the night on ( AG ) the [ ab ] mountain that is called [ ac ] Olivet. 38 And all the people would get up ( AH ) very early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:2 Lit there
  2. Luke 21:2 The smallest Greek copper coin, about 1/128 of a laborer’s daily wage
  3. Luke 21:4 Lit put into
  4. Luke 21:4 Lit gifts
  5. Luke 21:4 Lit abundance
  6. Luke 21:4 Lit the living that she had
  7. Luke 21:5 I.e., gifts promised by vows
  8. Luke 21:6 Lit a stone
  9. Luke 21:7 I.e., confirming miracle
  10. Luke 21:11 Lit great
  11. Luke 21:11 I.e., confirming miracles
  12. Luke 21:12 Lit being brought
  13. Luke 21:13 Lit a testimony for you
  14. Luke 21:14 Lit put in your hearts
  15. Luke 21:15 Lit a mouth
  16. Luke 21:19 Lit souls
  17. Luke 21:20 Lit know
  18. Luke 21:21 Lit her
  19. Luke 21:21 Lit her
  20. Luke 21:23 Or earth
  21. Luke 21:25 I.e., confirming miracles
  22. Luke 21:26 Lit inhabited earth
  23. Luke 21:26 Or heaven
  24. Luke 21:31 Lit know
  25. Luke 21:34 Lit that day
  26. Luke 21:37 Lit days
  27. Luke 21:37 Lit nights
  28. Luke 21:37 Or hill
  29. Luke 21:37 Or Olive Grove

The Widow’s Offering ( A )

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ( B ) 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” ( C )

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times ( D ) ( E )

5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; ( F ) every one of them will be thrown down.”

7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

8 He replied: “Watch out 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. ( G ) 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ( H ) 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. ( I )

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. ( J ) 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ( K ) 15 For I will give you ( L ) words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, ( M ) and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. ( N ) 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. ( O ) 19 Stand firm, and you will win life. ( P )

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, ( Q ) you will know that its 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 not enter the city. ( R ) 22 For this is the time of punishment ( S ) in fulfillment ( T ) of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled ( U ) on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ( V ) 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ( W ) 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man ( X ) coming in a cloud ( Y ) with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” ( Z )

29 He told them this 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 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God ( AA ) is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation ( AB ) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. ( AC )

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, ( AD ) and that day will close on you suddenly ( AE ) like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray ( AF ) that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, ( AG ) and each evening he went out ( AH ) to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, ( AI ) 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple. ( AJ )

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