Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Luke 21
A Poor Widow’s Gift
Jesus looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two small coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all the others. For all of them gave offerings from their abundance, but she, from her poverty, put in all the livelihood she had.”
The Temple and What Is Coming
Some were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God. Jesus said, “As for these things you see, days will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” They asked him, “Teacher, when then will these things happen, and what will be the sign when they are about to happen?” He said, “See that you are not led astray. Many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Do not go after them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be terrified. These things must happen first, but the end will not come immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and, in various places, famines and plagues. There will be terrifying events and great signs from heaven.
Persecution Becomes Testimony
“But before all these things, they will lay hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and prisons and bringing you before kings and governors because of my name. This will become an opportunity for your testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to prepare your defense in advance, because I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by everyone because of my name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Jerusalem Surrounded
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has drawn near. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, those inside the city must leave, and those in the countryside must not enter it, because these are days of vengeance, to fulfill everything that has been written. Woe to those who are pregnant and nursing infants in those days! There will be great distress on the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken captive among all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Son of Man and Redemption
“There will be signs in sun, moon, and stars, and on earth distress among nations, confused by the roaring of the sea and waves. People will faint from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited world, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
The Fig Tree and Watchfulness
Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they begin to sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that God’s kingdom is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away. Watch yourselves so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the cares of life, and that day does not come on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on everyone living on the face of the whole earth. Stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” During the days Jesus was teaching in the temple, but at night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain called Olivet. And all the people came early in the morning to hear him in the temple.