The Widow's Offering
Study note
Jesus observes rich people putting gifts into the temple treasury and a poor widow putting in two small coins. He declares she has given more than all of them because the rich gave out of their surplus while she gave all she had to live on. This brief episode contrasts outward appearance with the heart's devotion and defines true generosity as sacrificial giving proportional to what one has.
1 Jesus looked up. He watched wealthy people drop money into the temple offering box. And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2 Then he noticed a poor widow put in two tiny coins. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3 He said, "Truly, this poor widow has given more than all of them combined." And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4 "All those wealthy people gave out of money they did not even need. But she gave everything she had -- the very money she needed to survive." 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.
Signs of the Coming Destruction
Study note
When some admire the temple's beauty, Jesus predicts that not one stone will be left on another. The disciples ask when this will happen. Jesus warns against deception by false messiahs, says wars and natural disasters will come but the end is not immediate, and predicts persecution for His followers. Yet He promises wisdom that no adversary can resist and assures them that not a hair of their head will be lost -- by their endurance they will gain their souls.
5 Some people were admiring the temple. They talked about how beautiful the stonework and gifts looked. Jesus said, And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
6 "Take a good look at all of this, because the day is coming when every stone will be torn down. Not one will be left sitting on top of another." 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 They asked, "Teacher, when is that going to happen? What warning sign should we look for?" 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 He said, "Make sure nobody fools you. Lots of people will show up claiming to be me, saying, 'I am the Messiah,' and, 'The time has arrived.' Do not follow any of them." 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 "When you start hearing reports about wars and rebellions, do not panic. Those things have to happen first, but it does not mean the end is here yet." 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 he continued, "Countries will go to war with each other, and kingdoms will fight against kingdoms." Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11 "There will be massive earthquakes, food shortages, and deadly diseases breaking out all over the place. Terrifying things will happen, and there will be amazing signs in the sky." 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 any of that, they are going to come after you. They will arrest you and drag you before religious courts and throw you in jail. You will be brought before kings and governors, all because of your connection to me." 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 "This will give you a chance to share your story with them." And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14 "So make up your mind right now not to rehearse your defense speech ahead of time." Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 "I myself will give you the right words and the wisdom to say them. Not a single one of your enemies will be able to argue back or prove you wrong." For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16 "Even your parents, brothers, relatives, and close friends will turn you in. Some of you will be killed." 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 "People everywhere will hate you because you follow me." And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18 "But at the same time, not a single hair on your head will be truly lost." But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 "If you hold firm and do not give up, you will save your souls." In your patience possess ye your souls.
The Fall of Jerusalem
Study note
Jesus gives specific instructions for when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies: those in Judaea should flee to the mountains, and those in the city should escape. These will be days of vengeance fulfilling what is written. Women who are pregnant and nursing will face terrible hardship. Jerusalem's people will fall by the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. This prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 when Rome destroyed the city.
20 "When you see armies all around Jerusalem, you will know that its destruction is very close." And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 "At that point, anyone in Judaea should run for the mountains. Anyone in the city should get out fast. And anyone in the countryside should not try to go into the city." Then let them which are in Judæa 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 "Those will be days of payback when everything the Scriptures have warned about comes true." For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23 "How awful it will be for pregnant women and mothers with nursing babies during that time! There will be terrible suffering throughout the land and God's anger against this people." 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 "Many will be killed by the sword, and others will be taken prisoner to countries all around the world. Jerusalem will be stomped on by foreigners until the era given to those foreign nations runs out." 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.
The Coming of the Son of Man
Study note
After the tribulation of Jerusalem, cosmic signs will appear in the sun, moon, and stars, with nations in distress. The powers of heaven will be shaken, and then the Son of Man will come in a cloud with power and great glory. For believers, this is not a time for terror but for hope: 'Look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.' What terrifies the world should encourage those who belong to Christ.
25 "Strange things will happen with the sun, moon, and stars. Down here on earth, entire nations will be in a state of panic and confusion because of the roaring, tossing ocean waves." 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 "People will faint from fear, dreading what is coming next. Even the forces that hold the universe together will be shaken loose." 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 "Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and glory." And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 "When you start to see these things unfold, stand tall and look up! Your rescue is almost here." And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
The Fig Tree Parable and Call to Watchfulness
Study note
Using the fig tree as an illustration -- when it sprouts leaves, summer is near -- Jesus says that when these signs appear, the kingdom of God is near. He assures them that His words will never pass away, even though heaven and earth will. He warns against being weighed down by dissipation and worldly worries so that the day does not come on them unexpectedly like a trap. The remedy is to watch and pray at all times. Luke closes noting that Jesus taught daily in the temple while spending nights on the Mount of Olives.
29 Then he gave them this illustration: "Look at the fig tree, or any tree for that matter." And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 "When you see leaves starting to sprout, you automatically know summer is on the way." When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 "In exactly the same way, when you see all these events unfolding, know that God's kingdom is close." So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 "I am telling you the truth: this generation will not be gone before all of these things happen." Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33 "The sky and the earth will eventually disappear, but my words will stand forever." Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34 "Watch yourselves carefully. Do not let your hearts get bogged down with partying, heavy drinking, and everyday worries. If you do, that day will catch you completely off guard." 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 "It will snap shut like a trap on every person across the entire earth." For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 "Stay alert and keep praying at all times. Do this so you will have the strength to make it through everything that is coming and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man." 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 Every day Jesus taught in the temple. Every night he left and went to the Mount of Olives to rest. 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 Early each morning, all the people hurried to the temple to listen to him. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.