The Destruction of Jerusalem

20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,(A) then recognize that its desolation(B) has come near. 21 Then those in Judea must flee(C) to the mountains!(D) Those inside the city[a] must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, 22 because these are days of vengeance(E) to fulfill all the things that are written. 23 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,(F) for there will be great distress in the land[b] and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword(G) and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles[c](H) until the times of the Gentiles(I) are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars;(J) and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring sea and waves.(K) 26 People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the celestial powers will be shaken.(L) 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud(M) with power and great glory.(N) 28 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!”(O)

The Parable of the Fig Tree

29 Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize[d] that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place.(P) 33 Heaven and earth will pass away,(Q) but My words will never pass away.(R)

The Need for Watchfulness

34 “Be on your guard,(S) so that your minds are not dulled[e] from carousing,[f] drunkenness,(T) and worries of life,(U) or that day will come on you unexpectedly(V) 35 like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert at all times,(W) praying that you may have strength[g] to escape(X) all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 During(Y) the day, He was teaching in the temple complex,(Z) but in the evening He would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives.(AA) 38 Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear Him in the temple complex.(AB)

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:21 Lit inside her
  2. Luke 21:23 Or the earth
  3. Luke 21:24 Or nations
  4. Luke 21:31 Or you know
  5. Luke 21:34 Lit your hearts are not weighed down
  6. Luke 21:34 Or hangovers
  7. Luke 21:36 Other mss read you may be counted worthy

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,(A) you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.(B) 22 For this is the time of punishment(C) in fulfillment(D) of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled(E) on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.(F) 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.(G) 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man(H) coming in a cloud(I) with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(J)

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God(K) is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation(L) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(M)

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,(N) and that day will close on you suddenly(O) like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray(P) that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple,(Q) and each evening he went out(R) to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,(S) 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.(T)

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20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

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