The Gospels · Chapter 21 of 24

Luke 21

Jesus commends a poor widow who gives two mites, all she had, above the rich. Foretelling the temple's destruction, he warns of deceivers, wars, and persecution, promising his followers words and endurance. He describes Jerusalem trodden by Gentiles and the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and glory, and calls his hearers to watch and pray, for his words will not pass away.

What happens in Luke 21

Watching offerings at the treasury, Jesus declares that a poor widow's two mites surpass the rich gifts, for she gave all her living. When some admire the temple's beauty, he foretells that not one stone will be left upon another. Asked when and by what sign, he warns against deceivers claiming his name, and against being terrified by wars, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences. Before these, his followers will be persecuted, betrayed even by family, and hated for his name, yet he will give them a mouth and wisdom, and by patience they will possess their souls.

He foretells Jerusalem surrounded by armies and trodden by Gentiles until their times are fulfilled. Then signs in sun, moon, and stars precede the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory, at which his people should lift up their heads. The fig tree and a final call to watch and pray close his teaching.

Luke 21 in context

Luke 21 records Jesus' final public teaching in the temple before his arrest, his discourse on the future. Luke, likely writing after or near the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, gives particular attention to the city's siege and desolation. The chapter blends near and distant horizons: the coming destruction of the temple and the ultimate return of the Son of man.

It prepares disciples for tribulation with the promise of Christ's presence, provision, and final redemption.

Main themes of Luke 21

Luke 21 (KJV)

1And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. 5And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 7And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. 13And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 18But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19In your patience possess ye your souls. 20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21Then 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. 22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23But 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. 24And 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. 25And 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; 26Men’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. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34And 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. 35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch 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. 37And 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. 38And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

Verses to carry from Luke 21

“And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:”Luke 21:3

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”Luke 21:27

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”Luke 21:33

Reflection

What are you holding back that Jesus is asking, like the widow, to give wholly? And what fear tempts you to look down rather than up? His words will outlast the world. Anchor your soul in them, endure with patience, and lift your head toward his coming.

A prayer from Luke 21