Luke 21:5–38

DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE PREDICTED

⁵As^k some were talking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ⁶“These things that you see—the days will come^l when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down.”^m

SIGNS OF THE END OF THE AGE

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

⁸Then he said, “Watch out that you are not deceived.^o For many will come in my name,^p saying, ‘I am he,’^q and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them.^{r 9}When you hear of wars and rebellions,^C don’t be alarmed. Indeed, it is necessary that these things take place first, but the end won’t come right away.”

¹⁰Then he told them, “Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.^{s 11}There will be violent earthquakes,^t and famines and plagues^u in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.^{v 12}But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you^w and persecute^x you. They will hand you over to the synagogues^y and prisons,^z and you will be brought before kings and governors^aa because of my name. ¹³This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.^{ab 14}Therefore make up your minds^D not to prepare your defense ahead of time,^{ac 15}for I will give you such words^ad and a wisdom^ae that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.^{af 16}You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.^ag They will kill some of you. ¹⁷You will be hated by everyone because of my name,^{ah 18}but not a hair of your head will be lost.^{ai 19}By your endurance, gain^A your lives.^aj

THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM

²⁰“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,^ak then recognize that its desolation^al has come near. ²¹Then those in Judea must flee^am to the mountains.^an Those inside the city must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, ²²because these are days of vengeance^ao to fulfill all the things that are written. ²³Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,^ap for there will be great distress in the land^B and wrath against this people. ²⁴They will be killed by the sword^Caq and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles^Dar until the times of the Gentiles^as are fulfilled.

THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN

²⁵“Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars;^at and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the waves.^{au 26}People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken.^{av 27}Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud^aw with power and great glory.^{ax 28}But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is near.”^ay

THE PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE

²⁹Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. ³¹In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize^E that the kingdom of God is near. ³²Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place.^{a 33}Heaven and earth will pass away,^b but my words will never pass away.^c

THE NEED FOR WATCHFULNESS

³⁴“Be on your guard,^d so that your minds are not dulled^F from carousing,^G drunkenness,^e and worries of life,^f or that day will come on you unexpectedly^{g 35}like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶But be alert at all times,^h praying that you may have strength^H to escapeⁱ all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

³⁷During^j the day, he was teaching in the temple,^k but in the evening he would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives.^{l 38}Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear him in the temple.^m