The Destruction of the Temple Foretold
Study note
As Jesus leaves the temple for the last time, a disciple marvels at the massive stones and magnificent buildings. Jesus' shocking prediction that not one stone will be left upon another devastates their assumptions about the permanence of the temple and God's plan for Israel. Sitting on the Mount of Olives with a panoramic view of the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew privately ask when these things will happen and what sign will precede their fulfillment.
1 Jesus was leaving the temple. A follower pointed at the buildings. He said, "Teacher, look at those huge stones and amazing buildings!" And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
2 Jesus replied, "Take a good look at all these grand buildings. A day is coming when every stone will be torn down. Not one will be left sitting on top of another." And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
3 Later, Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, looking across at the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked, And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 "When is all this going to happen? What sign should we watch for to know it is about to start?" Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
Signs Before the End
Study note
Jesus warns against deception by false messiahs and emphasizes that wars, earthquakes, and famines are merely the 'beginnings of sorrows,' not the end itself. He then shifts to the personal cost of discipleship: his followers will face persecution before councils and rulers, family betrayal, and universal hatred. Yet the gospel must first be preached to all nations, and the Holy Spirit will give persecuted believers the words to speak. The promise that the one who endures to the end will be saved provides assurance amid dire warnings.
5 Jesus began his answer with a warning: "Be very careful that nobody fools you." And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
6 "Plenty of people will show up claiming to be me, saying, 'I am the Christ!' They will trick many people." For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
7 "You will hear about wars breaking out and threats of more wars coming. Do not panic. These things have to happen, but they do not mean the end has arrived." And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8 "Countries will go to war against each other, and kingdoms will attack other kingdoms. Earthquakes will strike in different places, and there will be famines and disasters. All of this is just the beginning -- like the first pains before a baby is born." For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 "Watch out for what is coming your way. People will drag you in front of councils and beat you in synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of your connection to me, and you will have the chance to tell them the truth." But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10 "But before the end comes, the good news must be announced to every nation on earth." And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11 "But when they shall lead you and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what you shall speak, neither do you premeditate; but whatever shall be given you in that hour, that speak; for it is not you that speaks, but the Holy Spirit." But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
12 "Brothers will turn on their own brothers and hand them over to be killed. Fathers will betray their own children. Children will rebel against their parents and have them executed." Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13 "Everyone will hate you because you follow me. But the person who holds on and does not give up all the way to the end will be saved." And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
The Great Tribulation
Study note
Jesus speaks of the 'abomination of desolation' spoken of by Daniel, a signal for immediate flight from Judaea. The urgency is extreme: no time to retrieve possessions from one's house or return from the field. The tribulation will be unprecedented in human history, and only God's shortening of those days for the sake of his elect will prevent total destruction. Warnings about false Christs and false prophets performing deceptive signs underscore the need for discernment, as Jesus emphasizes that he has told them all things in advance.
14 "Daniel the prophet warned about a vile, harmful thing. You will see it standing where it should not be. Reader, pay close attention. Then everyone in Judaea must run to the mountains right away." But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains:
15 "If you are up on your roof, do not go back inside your house to grab anything." And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
16 "If you are out working in your field, do not run home to get your coat." And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
17 "Those will be heartbreaking days for pregnant women and mothers with nursing babies." But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
18 "Pray that it does not happen during winter." And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
19 "The suffering during that time will be worse than anything that has ever happened since God first created the world. And nothing that terrible will ever happen again." For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
20 "If the Lord did not cut those days short, every person alive would be destroyed. But for the sake of the people he has chosen, he has shortened that time." And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
21 "If someone tells you during that time, 'Look, the Christ is right here!' or 'He is over there!' do not fall for it." And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
22 "Fake saviors and fake prophets will pop up everywhere. They will perform impressive signs and wonders designed to mislead people -- and if it were possible, they would even fool God's chosen ones." For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
23 "So stay alert! I have warned you about all of this before it happens." But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
The Coming of the Son of Man
Study note
After the tribulation, cosmic signs will herald the climactic event: the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory, drawing on Daniel's vision of the divine figure given eternal dominion. He will send his angels to gather his elect from the farthest corners of earth and heaven. This vision of ultimate victory assures believers that despite all suffering and chaos, God's purposes will be fully accomplished and his people will be gathered safely into his kingdom.
24 "After that terrible period of suffering, the sun will go dark and the moon will stop giving off light." But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 "Stars will come falling out of the sky, and the great forces in the heavens will be shaken loose." And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 "Then people will see the Son of man coming on the clouds with great power and glory." And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 "He will send out his angels to every part of the earth and sky. They will bring together all the people he has chosen." And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
The Parable of the Fig Tree
Study note
Jesus uses the fig tree's budding as a natural parable: just as tender branches and new leaves signal that summer is near, so the events he has described signal that the end is near. His declaration that this generation will not pass away until all these things take place has been interpreted variously as referring to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, to the generation alive at the end, or to the enduring Jewish people. His emphatic statement that his words will outlast heaven and earth underscores the absolute reliability of his prophetic teaching.
28 "Learn this lesson from the fig tree. When its branches get soft and new leaves appear, you know summer is near." Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
29 "It works the same way with all of this. When you see these events taking place, you will know that the time is very close -- right at the doorstep." So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
30 "I am telling you the truth: this generation will still be around when all these things begin to happen." Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
31 "The sky and the earth will eventually disappear, but my words will last forever." Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
The Call to Watchfulness
Study note
Jesus acknowledges that no one knows the exact day or hour of his return, not even the angels or the Son, but only the Father. This remarkable admission of self-limitation heightens the urgency of the call to watch and pray. The parable of the homeowner who leaves servants in charge with the warning to stay alert applies to every generation of believers. Jesus' final command, 'What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!' makes this not just a private teaching for four disciples but a standing order for the entire church.
32 "Nobody knows the exact day or the exact time this will happen -- not the angels in heaven, not even the Son. Only the Father knows." But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 "Stay alert! Keep watching and praying, because you have no means of knowing when the time will arrive." Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 "Think of it like a homeowner leaving on a long trip. Before he goes, he puts his servants in charge, assigns each one a specific job, and tells the doorkeeper to stay awake and watch for his return." For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 "So stay awake, because you do not know when the owner of the house is coming back. It could be in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows at dawn, or in the morning." Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36 "You do not want him to show up without warning and find you sleeping." Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 "I am saying this to every one of you: Stay awake and be ready!" And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.