Luke 21:5-36

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

5 f And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 "As for these things that you see, g the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." 7 And they asked him, "Teacher, h when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?" 8 And he said, i "See that you are not led astray. For j many will come in my name, saying, k 'I am he!' and, l 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be m terrified, for these things n must first take place, but the end will not be at once."

Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution

10 Then he said to them, o "Nation will rise against nation, and p kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great q earthquakes, and in various places r famines and pestilences. And there will be s terrors and great t signs from heaven. 12 But before all this u they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to v the synagogues and w prisons, and you x will be brought before y kings and z governors for my name's sake. 13 a This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds b not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for c I will give you a mouth and d wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or e contradict. 16 You will be delivered up f even by parents and brothers 1 and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 g You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But h not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your i endurance you will gain your lives.

Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem

20 "But j when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that k its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are l days of m vengeance, to fulfill n all that is written. 23 o Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and p wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and q be led captive among all nations, and r Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, s until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 "And t there will be signs in sun and moon u and stars, and on the earth v distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For w the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see x the Son of Man coming in a cloud y with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and z raise your heads, because a your redemption is drawing near."

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29 And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see b for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 c Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 d Heaven and earth will pass away, but e my words will not pass away.

Watch Yourselves

34 "But watch yourselves f lest g your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and h cares of this life, and i that day come upon you suddenly j like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But k stay awake at all times, l praying that you may m have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and n to stand before the Son of Man."

  1. Cross References
    Luke 21:5 - 36
    And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said.
    Matthew 24:1 - 51
    Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.
    Mark 13:1 - 37
    And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!
  2. Cross References
    Luke 21:5 - 36
    And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said.
    Matthew 24:1 - 51
    Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.
    Mark 13:1 - 37
    And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!
  3. Cross References
    Luke 19:43 - 44
    For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side
    Luke 17:22
    And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
  4. Cross References
    Acts 1:6 - 7
    So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?
  5. Cross References
    Jeremiah 29:8
    For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream.
    Ephesians 5:6
    Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
    Colossians 2:8
    See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
    2 Thessalonians 2:3
    Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.
    1 John 3:7
    Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
  6. Cross References
    Jeremiah 14:14
    And the Lord said to me: "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.
    1 John 2:18
    Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
  7. Cross References
    John 8:24
    I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 3:2
    "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
    Matthew 4:17
    From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
    Mark 1:15
    And saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 24:37
    But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
  10. Cross References
    Revelation 1:1
    The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.
  11. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 15:6
    They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress.
    Revelation 6:4
    And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.
  12. Cross References
    Isaiah 19:2
    And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, each against another and each against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
  13. Cross References
    Revelation 6:12
    When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 11:28
    And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).
    Revelation 6:8
    And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.
  15. Cross References
    Isaiah 19:17
    And the land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians. Everyone to whom it is mentioned will fear because of the purpose that the Lord of hosts has purposed against them.
  16. Cross References
    Luke 11:16
    While others, to test him, kept seeking from hi...
    Matthew 16:1
    And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to te...
    Mark 8:11
    The Pharisees came and began to argue with him,...
    Luke 21:25
    And there will be signs in sun and moon and sta...
    Revelation 12:1
    And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman cl...
    Revelation 12:3
    And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a ...
    Revelation 13:13
    It performs great signs, even making fire come ...
    Revelation 15:1
    Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and am...
  17. Cross References
    Luke 21:12 - 17
    But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.
    Matthew 10:17 - 22
    Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 22:19
    And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.
    Acts 26:11
    And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 4:3
    And they arrested them and put them in custody ...
    Acts 5:18
    They arrested the apostles and put them in the ...
    Acts 8:3
    But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering ...
    Acts 12:4
    And when he had seized him, he put him in priso...
    Acts 16:24
    Having received this order, he put them into th...
    Acts 24:27
    When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded...
    2 Corinthians 11:23
    Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one ...
  20. Cross References
    Acts 16:19
    But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
  21. Cross References
    Acts 27:24
    And he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.
  22. Cross References
    Acts 17:6
    And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.
    Acts 18:12
    But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal.
    Acts 24:1
    And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.
    Acts 25:6
    After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.
  23. Cross References
    Philippians 1:13 - 14
    So that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
    Philippians 1:19
    For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.
  24. Cross References
    Luke 12:11
    And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say.
  25. Cross References
    Exodus 4:12
    Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.
    Jeremiah 1:9
    Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
  26. Cross References
    Acts 6:10
    But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
  27. Cross References
    Acts 4:14
    But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
  28. Cross References
    Luke 12:53
    They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.
    Matthew 10:35
    For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
  29. Cross References
    John 15:18 - 21
    If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
    Luke 6:22
    Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!
  30. Cross References
    Luke 21:16
    You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.
    John 10:28
    I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
    1 Samuel 14:45
    Then the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die.
  31. Cross References
    Romans 5:3
    More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.
    Matthew 10:22
    And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
    Matthew 24:13
    But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
    Hebrews 10:36
    For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
  32. Cross References
    Luke 19:43
    For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side
  33. Cross References
    Daniel 9:27
    And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.
  34. Cross References
    Isaiah 34:8
    For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.
    Isaiah 63:4
    For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come.
    Hosea 9:7
    The days of punishment have come; the days of recompense have come; Israel shall know it. The prophet is a fool; the man of the spirit is mad, because of your great iniquity and great hatred.
  35. Cross References
    Luke 18:7 - 8
    And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?
  36. Cross References
    Matthew 1:22
    All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
  37. Cross References
    Luke 23:29
    For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!
  38. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:16
    By hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved - so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at last!
  39. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 28:64
    And the Lord will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your fathers have known.
  40. Cross References
    Revelation 11:2
    But do not measure the court outside the temple...
    Psalms 79:1
    O God, the nations have come into your inherita...
    Isaiah 63:3
    I have trodden the winepress alone, and from th...
    Isaiah 63:18
    Your holy people held possession for a little w...
    Daniel 8:13
    Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another h...
    Zechariah 12:3
    On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone...
  41. Cross References
    Daniel 12:7
    And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.
    Romans 11:25
    Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
  42. Cross References
    Isaiah 13:10
    For the stars of the heavens and their constell...
    Isaiah 24:23
    Then the moon will be confounded and the sun as...
    Ezekiel 32:7
    When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens a...
    Joel 2:10
    The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremb...
    Joel 2:31
    The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the mo...
    Joel 3:15
    The sun and the moon are darkened, and the star...
    Acts 2:20
    The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moo...
    Amos 5:20
    Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not li...
    Amos 8:9
    And on that day," declares the Lord God, "I wil...
    Zephaniah 1:15
    A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress a...
    Revelation 6:12
    When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and be...
    Revelation 8:12
    The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third ...
  43. Cross References
    Revelation 6:13
    And the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.
    Isaiah 14:12
    How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!
    Isaiah 34:4
    All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree.
  44. Cross References
    Psalms 65:7
    Who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.
  45. Cross References
    Isaiah 34:4
    All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree.
  46. Cross References
    Daniel 7:13
    I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
  47. Cross References
    Matthew 26:64
    Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.
    Mark 9:1
    And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.
    Matthew 25:31
    When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
  48. Cross References
    Job 10:15
    If I am guilty, woe to me! If I am in the right, I cannot lift up my head, for I am filled with disgrace and look on my affliction.
  49. Cross References
    Romans 8:23
    And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
    Ephesians 4:30
    And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
    Romans 13:11
    Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
    Luke 1:68
    Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people
  50. Cross References
    Luke 12:57
    And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
    Matthew 16:3
    And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
  51. Cross References
    Luke 9:27
    But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.
  52. Cross References
    Psalms 102:26
    They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away.
    Isaiah 51:6
    Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
    2 Peter 3:10
    But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
    Matthew 5:18
    For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
    Hebrews 12:27
    This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken - that is, things that have been made - in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
  53. Cross References
    Psalms 119:89
    Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
    Isaiah 40:8
    The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
    1 Peter 1:23
    Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.
    1 Peter 1:25
    But the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
  54. Cross References
    Romans 13:13
    Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
    1 Thessalonians 5:6 - 7
    So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
    1 Peter 4:7
    The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
  55. Cross References
    James 5:5
    You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
  56. Cross References
    Matthew 13:22
    As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
  57. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:3 - 4
    While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
    Luke 12:40
    You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
  58. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 9:12
    For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.
    Isaiah 24:17
    Terror and the pit and the snare are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth!
  59. Cross References
    Luke 12:37
    Blessed are those servants whom the master find...
    Matthew 25:13
    Watch therefore, for you know neither the day n...
    Matthew 26:41
    Watch and pray that you may not enter into temp...
    Mark 14:34 - 38
    And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful...
    Acts 20:31
    Therefore be alert, remembering that for three ...
    1 Corinthians 16:13
    Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like ...
    1 Thessalonians 5:6
    So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let...
    1 Peter 5:8
    Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary th...
  60. Cross References
    Luke 18:1
    And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
  61. Cross References
    Hosea 12:4
    He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. He met God at Bethel, and there God spoke with us -
  62. Cross References
    Revelation 6:17
    For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.