Jesus Condemns the Leaders

Matt. 23:1–14; Luke 20:45–21:4

38 Then bHe said to them in His teaching, c “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, dlove greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the ebest seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 fwho devour widows’ houses, and 5for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

41 gNow Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money hinto the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two 6mites, which make a 7quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that ithis poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, jher whole livelihood.”

Questions from the Disciples

Matt. 24:1–3; Luke 21:5–7

13 Then aas He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”

2 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? bNot one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, cPeter, dJames, eJohn, and fAndrew asked Him privately, 4 g“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”

The Tribulation

Matt. 24:4–26; Luke 21:8–24

5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: h“Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and ikingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines 1and troubles. jThese are the beginnings of 2sorrows.

9 “But kwatch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will 3be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And lthe gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 mBut when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, 4or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, nbut the Holy Spirit. 12 Now obrother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 pAnd you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But qhe who 5endures to the end shall be saved.

14 r“So when you see the s‘abomination of desolation,’ 6spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then tlet those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 uBut woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 vFor in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

21 w“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and xwonders to deceive, if possible, even the 7elect. 23 But ytake heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.