*Luke 21:1-24
Jesus teaches his disciples about the coming destruction of the temple and the signs of the end times.
- The Widow’s Offering:
- As Jesus observes people donating at the temple treasury, He notices a poor widow who contributes two small copper coins.
- He commends the widow to His disciples, pointing out that she has given more than all the others because she has given all she had to live on, indicating her total dependence on God and her sincere faith.
- Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple:
- Some of the disciples remark on the beauty and grandeur of the temple, adorned with precious stones and gifts.
- Jesus responds by predicting that a time will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down, foretelling the temple’s total destruction.
- Signs of the End Times:
- The disciples ask Jesus privately about when the temple will be destroyed and what signs will precede this event.
- Jesus warns them not to be deceived by false prophets who will claim to be Him, saying that many will come in His name.
- He speaks of wars, rebellions, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences as signs, but emphasizes that these are just the beginning of sorrows and not the immediate end.
- Persecutions Foretold:
- Jesus tells the disciples that they will face persecution, betrayal even by family members, and hatred because of His name.
- He assures them that not a hair of their head will perish, encouraging them to stand firm to gain life.
- The Destruction of Jerusalem Predicted:
- Jesus provides a specific prophecy about the siege of Jerusalem, advising that when armies surround Jerusalem, its desolation is near.
- He instructs those in Judea to flee to the mountains, and those inside the city to leave, and those in the country not to enter the city.
- This prophecy points to the intense suffering, distress, and wrath against the people that will take place during this time.
- Great Distress and Signs in the Heavens:
- He describes a time of great distress, unequaled since the beginning of the world, accompanied by fearful events and great signs from heaven.
- Despite these terrors, He assures the disciples that these are necessary events before the end comes.
Luke 21:1-24 teaches us to trust God, be generous, and stay faithful even in hard times. Jesus praises a poor widow who gives a small offering because she gives from her heart, showing that God values our sincerity more than the size of our gift. He also warns about difficult times ahead but reminds us not to be afraid. We can apply this by giving with a willing heart, no matter how small, and by trusting God when life feels uncertain. Instead of worrying, we should stay strong in our faith, knowing that God is in control and will guide us through every challenge.
Luke 21:1-24 (WEB)
21:1 He looked up and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins. 3 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them, 4 for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”5 As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said, 6 “As for these things which you see, the days will come in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down.”7 They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?”8 He said, “Watch out that you don’t get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Therefore don’t follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.”10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 It will turn out as a testimony for you. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict. 16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death. 17 You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake. 18 And not a hair of your head will perish.19 “By your endurance you will win your lives.20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath to this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.