Luke 21:20–38

The Destruction of Jerusalem

²⁰“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, ^zthen recognize that its desolation ^ahas come near. ²¹Then those in Judea must flee ^bto the mountains! ^cThose inside the city ^dmust leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, ²²because these are days of vengeance ^eto fulfill all the things that are written. ²³Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, ^ffor there will be great distress in the land ^gand wrath against this people. ²⁴They will fall by the edge of the sword ^hand be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles ^ijuntil the times of the Gentiles ^kare fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁵“Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; ^land there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring sea and waves. ^m26People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the celestial powers will be shaken. ⁿ²⁷Then they will see the ^•Son of Man coming in a cloud ^owith power and great glory. ^p28But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your ^•redemption is near!” ^q

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 ^rthat the kingdom of God is near. ^32•I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place. ^s33Heaven and earth will pass away, ^tbut My words will never pass away. ^u

The Need for Watchfulness

³⁴“Be on your guard, ^vso that your minds are not dulled ^wfrom carousing, ^xdrunkenness, ^yand worries of life, ^zor that day will come on you unexpectedly ^a35like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶But be alert at all times, ^bpraying that you may have strength ^cto escape ^dall these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

³⁷During ^ethe day, He was teaching in the temple complex, ^fbut in the evening He would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives. ^g38Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear Him in the temple complex. ^h