Commendation of the Widow’s Sincerity (Two Mites) (21:1-4)

CHAPTER 21

1 And he looked up and saw the rich casting their gifts into the treasury; 2 but he saw also a certain poor widow casting therein two mites. 3 And he said, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow has cast in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have cast into the gifts of God; but she out of her need has cast in all the living which she had.

The Fate of the temple (21:5-6)

5 And as some spoke of the temple, that it was adorned with goodly stones and consecrated offerings, he said, 6 As to these things which ye are beholding, days are coming in which there shall not be left stone upon stone which shall not be thrown down.

The End of the Age (21:7-36)

Signs of the End of the Age (vv.7-11)

7 And they asked him saying, Teacher, when then shall these things be; and what is the sign when these things are going to take place? 8 And he said, See that ye be not led astray, for many shall come in my name, saying, “I” am he, and the time is drawn nigh: go ye not therefore after them. 9 And when ye shall hear of wars and tumults, be not terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end is not immediately. 10 Then he said to them, Nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there shall be both great earthquakes in different places, and famines and pestilences; and there shall be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

The Coming Persecution (vv.12-19)

12 But before all these things they shall lay their hands upon you and persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors on account of my name; 13 but it shall turn out to you for a testimony. 14 Settle therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand your defence, 15 for “I” will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your opposers shall not be able to reply to or resist. 16 But ye will be delivered up even by parents and brethren and relations and friends, and they shall put to death some from among you, 17 and ye will be hated of all for my name’s sake.

18 And a hair of your head shall in no wise perish. 19 By your patient endurance gain your souls. vv.18-19 The Father would take care of their bodies (resurrection if necessary) but they needed patience to possess their souls.

The Destruction of Jerusalem (vv.20-24)

20 But when ye see Jerusalem encompassed with armies, then know that its desolation is drawn nigh. 21 Then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of it depart out, and those who are in the country not enter into it; 22 for these are days of avenging, that all the things that are written may be accomplished. 23 But woe to them that are with child and to them who give suck in those days, for there shall be great distress upon the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the nations until the times of the nations be fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man (vv.25-28)

25 And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roar of the sea and rolling waves, 26 men ready to die through fear and expectation of what is coming on the habitable earth, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws nigh.

The Parable of the Fig Tree (vv.29-33)

29 And he spoke a parable to them: Behold the fig-tree and all the trees; 30 when they already sprout, ye know of your own selves, on looking at them, that already the summer is near. 31 So also “ye”, when ye see these things take place, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall in no wise pass away until all come to pass. 33 The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall in no wise pass away.

Exhortation to Watch and Pray (vv.34-36)

34 But take heed to yourselves lest possibly your hearts be laden with surfeiting and drinking and cares of life, and that day come upon you suddenly unawares; 35 for as a snare shall it come upon all them that dwell upon the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, praying at every season, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things which are about to come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Summary: Jesus’ Ministry in Jerusalem (21:37-38)

37 And by day he was teaching in the temple, and by night, going out, he remained abroad on the mountain called the mount of Olives; 38 and all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.

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