^21:29Then⁷¹ he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees.⁷²^21:30When they sprout leaves, you see⁷³ for yourselves and know that summer is now near. ^21:31So also you, when you see these things happening, know⁷⁴ that the kingdom of God⁷⁵ is near. ^21:32I tell you the truth,⁷⁶ this generation⁷⁷ will not pass away until all these things take place. ^21:33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.⁷⁸

Be Ready!

^21:34“But be on your guard⁷⁹ so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap.⁸⁰^21:35For⁸¹ it will overtake⁸² all who live on the face of the whole earth.⁸³^21:36But stay alert at all times,⁸⁴ praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must⁸⁵ happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

^21:37So⁸⁶ every day Jesus⁸⁷ was teaching in the temple courts,⁸⁸ but at night he went and stayed⁸⁹ on the Mount of Olives.⁹⁰^21:38And all the people⁹¹ came to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts.⁹²

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Footnotes

71 Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
72 Grk “all the trees.”
73 Grk “seeing for yourselves, you know.” The participle βλέποντες (blepontes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
74 The verb γινώσκετε (ginōskete, “know”) can be parsed as either present indicative or present imperative. In this context the imperative fits better, since the movement is from analogy (trees and seasons) to the future (the signs of the coming of the kingdom) and since the emphasis is on preparation for this event.
75 The kingdom of God refers here to the kingdom in all its power. See Luke 17:20–37.
76 Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
77 This is one of the hardest verses in the gospels to interpret. Various views exist for what generation means. (1) Some take it as meaning “race” and thus as an assurance that the Jewish race (nation) will not pass away. But it is very questionable that the Greek term γενεά (genea) can have this meaning. Two other options are possible. (2) Generation might mean “this type of generation” and refer to the generation of wicked humanity. Then the point is that humanity will not perish, because God will redeem it. Or (3) generation may refer to “the generation that sees the signs of the end” (vv. 25–26), who will also see the end itself. In other words, once the movement to the return of Christ starts, all the events connected with it happen very quickly, in rapid succession.
78 The words that Jesus predicts here will never pass away. They are more stable and lasting than creation itself. For this kind of image, see Isa 40:8; 55:10–11.
79 Grk “watch out for yourselves.” Disciples are to watch out. If they are too absorbed into everyday life, they will stop watching and living faithfully.
80 Or like a thief, see Luke 12:39–40. The metaphor of a trap is a vivid one. Most modern English translations traditionally place the words “like a trap” at the end of v. 34, completing the metaphor. In the Greek text (and in the and ) the words “like a trap” are placed at the beginning of v. 35. This does not affect the meaning.
81 There is debate in the textual tradition about the position of γάρ (gar) and whether v. 35 looks back to v. 34 or is independent. The textual evidence does slightly favor placing γάρ after the verb and thus linking it back to v. 34. The other reading looks like Isa 24:17. However, the construction is harsh and the translation prefers for stylistic reasons to start a new English sentence here.
82 Or “come upon.”
83 This judgment involves everyone: all who live on the face of the whole earth. No one will escape this evaluation.
84 The call to be alert at all times is a call to remain faithful in looking for the Lord’s return.
85 For the translation of μέλλω (mellō) as “must,” see L&N 71.36.
86 Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” since vv. 37–38 serve as something of a summary or transition from the discourse preceding to the passion narrative that follows.
87 Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
88 Grk “in the temple.”
89 Grk “and spent the night,” but this is redundant because of the previous use of the word “night.”
90 Grk “at the mountain called ‘of Olives.’ ” See the note on the phrase Mount of Olives in .
91 Jesus’ teaching was still quite popular with all the people at this point despite the leaders’ opposition.
92 Some (those of f13) place John 7:53–8:11 here after v. 38, no doubt because it was felt that this was a better setting for the pericope. Grk “in the temple.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

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

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray 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.”

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

CSBChristian Standard Bible

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

“Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

During the day, he was teaching in the temple, but in the evening he would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives. Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear him in the temple.

NLTNew Living Translation

Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they put out foliage, now you see for yourselves and know that by this time the summer is near. So also you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you that this generation will never pass away until all things take place! Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

“But take care for yourselves, lest your hearts are weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of daily life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who reside on the face of the whole earth. But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

So throughout the days he was teaching in the temple courts, and throughout the nights he was going out and spending the night on the hill that is called the Mount of Olives. And all the people were getting up very early in the morning to come to him in the temple courts to listen to him.

KJV 1900King James Version

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

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

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

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