Luke 21
Luke 21 contains Jesus’ teachings given in the Jerusalem temple, as well as prophecies about the end of the temple and the world. This chapter is composed of the great meaning within a small act regarding temple offerings (verses 1-4), the prophecy of the destruction of the temple (verses 5-6), signs and turmoil of the last days (verses 7-19), the prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem (verses 20-24), signs of the Son of Man’s coming (verses 25-28), and an exhortation to stay awake (verses 29-38).
1verseHe looked up and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury.
2verseHe saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.
3verseHe said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them,
4versefor 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.”
5verseAs some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,
6verse“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.”
7verseThey asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?”
8verseHe 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.
9verseWhen you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.”
10verseThen he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11verseThere will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
12verseBut 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.
13verseIt will turn out as a testimony for you.
14verseSettle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
15versefor I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
16verseYou will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death.
17verseYou will be hated by all men for my name’s sake.
18verseAnd not a hair of your head will perish.
19verse“By your endurance you will win your lives.
20verse“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
21verseThen 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.
22verseFor these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23verseWoe 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.
24verseThey 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.
25verse“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;
26versemen fainting for fear and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27verseThen they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28verseBut when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”
29verseHe told them a parable. “See the fig tree and all the trees.
30verseWhen they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near.
31verseEven so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near.
32verseMost certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.
33verseHeaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
34verse“So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.
35verseFor it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth.
36verseTherefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37verseEvery day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet.
38verseAll the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.
Temple Offerings and True Devotion (Verses 1-4)
After the rich give generously, Jesus pays attention to how a poor widow gives just two small coins. By praising the widow for giving everything she had, Jesus emphasizes that devotion comes not from the amount of an offering, but from the center of the heart and from sacrifice. It makes you reflect on the importance of authenticity beyond appearances.
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End (Verses 5-19)
To those who boast about the temple’s splendor, Jesus proclaims that the temple will be torn down. When the disciples ask about signs of these things, Jesus speaks of every kind of hardship, including false Christs, wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecution. However, he also tells them that all these events are signs of the end, and he exhorts believers to receive salvation through endurance.
Prophecy of the Fall of Jerusalem (Verses 20-24)
Jesus warns that Jerusalem will be surrounded by Gentiles and left desolate. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled when Jerusalem was destroyed by the later Roman troops (AD 70). He mentions the great suffering at that time, the need to flee, and that Jerusalem would be trampled until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled.
The Second Coming of the Son of Man and an Exhortation to Stay Awake (Verses 25-38)
Jesus says that when signs appear in the sun, moon, and stars and fear comes upon the earth, the Son of Man will come in power and glory on the clouds. Through the parable of the fig tree, he teaches people to discern the times, warns against having hearts grow dull, and urges them to stay awake and pray always. This chapter looks forward to Jesus’ second coming and emphasizes the attitude of a believer who stays awake.
Meditation Points
- God looks at the center of our devotion, not the quantity of it. Where is the center of my life?
- How can I apply Jesus’ words to my life today—his call to have faith that endures even in the face of the world’s uncertainty and terrifying signs of the times?
- Rather than fearing the time of the end, I can reflect on the importance of living each day by staying awake and following God’s will.
Trying It Out for Myself
- I check whether my faith and devotion are genuine before God, more than just outward appearance or people’s evaluation.
- In the difficulties and confusion of life, I come to realize that I need an attitude of endurance to the end and trust in God’s promises.
- I resolve to live by faith in the place in life God has assigned to me—by staying awake and praying always.