La ofrenda de la viuda(A)

21 Jesús se detuvo a observar y vio a los ricos que echaban sus ofrendas en las alcancías del Templo. También vio a una viuda pobre que echaba dos moneditas de muy poco valor.[a]

—Les aseguro —dijo— que esta viuda pobre ha echado más que todos los demás. Porque todos ellos dieron sus ofrendas de lo que les sobraba; pero ella, de su pobreza, echó todo lo que tenía para su sustento.

Señales del fin del mundo(B)(C)

Algunos de sus discípulos comentaban acerca del Templo, de cómo estaba adornado con hermosas piedras y con ofrendas dedicadas a Dios. Pero Jesús dijo:

—En cuanto a todo esto que ven ustedes, llegará el día en que no quedará piedra sobre piedra, pues todo será derribado.

—Maestro —preguntaron—, ¿cuándo sucederá eso y cuál será la señal de que está a punto de suceder?

—Tengan cuidado; no se dejen engañar —les advirtió Jesús—. Vendrán muchos que, usando mi nombre, dirán: “Yo soy”, y: “El tiempo está cerca”. No los sigan ustedes. Cuando sepan de guerras y de revoluciones, no se asusten. Es necesario que eso suceda primero, pero el fin no vendrá enseguida.

10 »Se levantará nación contra nación y reino contra reino —continuó—. 11 Habrá grandes terremotos, hambre y epidemias en diferentes lugares, cosas espantosas y grandes señales del cielo.

12 »Pero antes de todo esto, echarán mano de ustedes y los perseguirán. Los entregarán a las sinagogas y a las cárceles y, por causa de mi nombre, los llevarán ante reyes y gobernadores. 13 Así tendrán ustedes la oportunidad de dar testimonio ante ellos. 14 Pero tengan en cuenta que no hay por qué preparar una defensa de antemano, 15 pues yo mismo les daré tal elocuencia y sabiduría para responder que ningún adversario podrá resistirles ni contradecirles. 16 Ustedes serán traicionados aun por sus padres, hermanos, parientes y amigos, incluso a algunos de ustedes se les dará muerte. 17 Todo el mundo los odiará por causa de mi nombre. 18 Pero no se perderá ni un solo cabello de su cabeza. 19 Si se mantienen firmes, se salvarán.[b]

20 »Ahora bien, cuando vean a Jerusalén rodeada de ejércitos, sepan que su destrucción ya está cerca. 21 Entonces los que estén en Judea huyan a las montañas, los que estén en la ciudad salgan de ella, y los que estén en el campo no entren en la ciudad. 22 Ese será el tiempo del juicio cuando se cumplirá todo lo que está escrito. 23 ¡Ay de las que estén embarazadas o amamantando en aquellos días! Porque habrá gran aflicción en la tierra y castigo contra este pueblo. 24 Caerán a filo de espada y los llevarán cautivos a todas las naciones. Los que no son judíos pisotearán a Jerusalén, hasta que se cumplan los tiempos señalados para ellos.

25 »Habrá señales en el sol, la luna y las estrellas. En la tierra, las naciones estarán angustiadas y perplejas por el bramido y la agitación del mar. 26 Se desmayarán de terror los hombres, temerosos por lo que va a sucederle al mundo, porque los cuerpos celestes serán sacudidos. 27 Verán entonces al Hijo del hombre venir en una nube con poder y gran gloria. 28 Cuando comiencen a suceder estas cosas, cobren ánimo y levanten la cabeza, porque se acerca su redención.

29 Jesús también propuso esta comparación:

—Fíjense en la higuera y en los demás árboles. 30 Cuando brotan las hojas, ustedes pueden verlo con sus propios ojos y saber que el verano está cerca. 31 Igualmente, cuando vean que suceden estas cosas, sepan que el reino de Dios está cerca. 32 Les aseguro que no pasará esta generación hasta que todas estas cosas sucedan. 33 El cielo y la tierra pasarán, pero mis palabras jamás pasarán.

34 »Tengan cuidado, no sea que se les endurezca el corazón por el vicio, la embriaguez y las preocupaciones de esta vida. De otra manera, aquel día caerá de improviso sobre ustedes, 35 pues vendrá como una trampa sobre todos los habitantes de la tierra. 36 Manténganse despiertos y oren para que puedan escapar de todo lo que está por suceder, y presentarse delante del Hijo del hombre.

37 De día Jesús enseñaba en el Templo, pero salía a pasar la noche en el monte llamado de los Olivos 38 y toda la gente madrugaba para ir al Templo a oírlo.

Footnotes

  1. 21:2 dos … poco valor. Lit. dos lepta.
  2. 21:19 Si … salvarán. Lit. Por su perseverancia obtendrán sus almas.

The Widow’s Gift

21 He(A) looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.(B) He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.[a](C) “I tell you the truth,” He said. “This poor widow has put in more than all of them.(D) For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

Destruction of the Temple Predicted

As(E) some were talking about the temple complex, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God,[b] He said, “These things that you see—the days will come(F) when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down!”(G)

Signs of the End of the Age

“Teacher,” they asked Him, “so when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”(H)

Then He said, “Watch out that you are not deceived.(I) For many will come in My name,(J) saying, ‘I am He,’(K) and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them.(L) When you hear of wars and rebellions,[c] don’t be alarmed. Indeed, these things must take place first, but the end won’t come right away.”

10 Then He told them: “Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.(M) 11 There will be violent earthquakes,(N) and famines and plagues(O) in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.(P) 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you(Q) and persecute(R) you. They will hand you over to the synagogues(S) and prisons,(T) and you will be brought before kings and governors(U) because of My name. 13 It will lead to an opportunity for you to witness.[d](V) 14 Therefore make up your minds[e] not to prepare your defense ahead of time,(W) 15 for I will give you such words[f](X) and a wisdom(Y) that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.(Z) 16 You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.(AA) They will kill some of you. 17 You will be hated by everyone because of My name,(AB) 18 but not a hair of your head will be lost.(AC) 19 By your endurance gain[g] your lives.(AD)

The Destruction of Jerusalem

20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,(AE) then recognize that its desolation(AF) has come near. 21 Then those in Judea must flee(AG) to the mountains!(AH) Those inside the city[h] must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, 22 because these are days of vengeance(AI) to fulfill all the things that are written. 23 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,(AJ) for there will be great distress in the land[i] and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword(AK) and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles[j](AL) until the times of the Gentiles(AM) are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

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

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[k] that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place.(AT) 33 Heaven and earth will pass away,(AU) but My words will never pass away.(AV)

The Need for Watchfulness

34 “Be on your guard,(AW) so that your minds are not dulled[l] from carousing,[m] drunkenness,(AX) and worries of life,(AY) or that day will come on you unexpectedly(AZ) 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,(BA) praying that you may have strength[n] to escape(BB) all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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

Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:2 Lit two lepta; the lepton was the smallest and least valuable Gk coin in use.
  2. Luke 21:5 Gifts given to the temple in fulfillment of vows to God
  3. Luke 21:9 Or insurrections, or revolutions
  4. Luke 21:13 Lit lead to a testimony for you
  5. Luke 21:14 Lit Therefore place (determine) in your hearts
  6. Luke 21:15 Lit you a mouth
  7. Luke 21:19 Other mss read endurance you will gain
  8. Luke 21:21 Lit inside her
  9. Luke 21:23 Or the earth
  10. Luke 21:24 Or nations
  11. Luke 21:31 Or you know
  12. Luke 21:34 Lit your hearts are not weighed down
  13. Luke 21:34 Or hangovers
  14. Luke 21:36 Other mss read you may be counted worthy

The Widow’s Offering(A)

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.(B) He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”(C)

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times(D)(E)

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another;(F) every one of them will be thrown down.”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.(G) When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.(H) 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.(I)

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me.(J) 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.(K) 15 For I will give you(L) words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends,(M) and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me.(N) 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.(O) 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.(P)

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,(Q) 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.(R) 22 For this is the time of punishment(S) in fulfillment(T) 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(U) 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.(V) 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.(W) 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man(X) coming in a cloud(Y) 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.”(Z)

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(AA) is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation(AB) 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.(AC)

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,(AD) and that day will close on you suddenly(AE) 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(AF) 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,(AG) and each evening he went out(AH) to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,(AI) 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.(AJ)