Luke 21
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 21
The Poor Widow’s Offering.[a] 1 Looking up, Jesus saw wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury, 2 and he also noticed a poor widow putting in two copper coins. 3 He said: “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has given more than all the rest. 4 For the others have all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has given all that she had to live on.”
The Destruction of the Temple and the Return of Christ[b]
Jesus Announces the Destruction of the Temple.[c] When some people were talking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and votive offerings, Jesus remarked, 6 “As for all these things that you are gazing at now, the time will come when not one stone here will be left upon another; everything will be thrown down.”The Signs of the End.[d] 7 They then asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what will be the sign that it is about to take place?” 8 He answered, “Take care not to be deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for those things are bound to take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”
10 Then he added, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be tremendous earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places, as well as dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 The Coming Persecution.“But before all this happens, they will seize you and persecute you. You will be handed over to synagogues and imprisoned, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to bear witness to me. 14 But do not even consider preparing your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself will give you a depth of wisdom and eloquence that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
16 “You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair of your head will be lost. 19 By standing firm you will gain life.
20 The Great Trial.[e]“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you may be certain that her desolation is near. 21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are within the city must escape from its boundaries, and those who are in country areas must not return. 22 For those will be days of retribution when all that is written will come to pass.
23 “Woe to those who are pregnant and those who are nursing infants in those days. For there will be great distress on the earth, and terrible wrath shall afflict this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and be carried away as captives among all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles have been fulfilled.
25 The Coming of the Son of Man.[f]“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in great distress, bewildered at the roaring of the sea and its waves. 26 Men will grow faint with terror and apprehension at what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, look up and hold your heads high, because the time of your redemption is drawing near.”
29 The Parable of the Fig Tree. Then he told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree or indeed at any other tree. 30 As soon as it begins to bud, you know that summer is already near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.[g] 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34 Exhortation To Be Vigilant.[h]“Be on your guard lest your hearts be weighed down by carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of this life and that day will catch you unawares, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone in the world. 36 Be vigilant at all times, praying for the strength to survive all those things that will take place and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.”
37 Jesus’ Last Days in Jerusalem.[i] Each day Jesus was teaching in the temple, but every evening he would go forth and spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives. 38 And all the people would rise early every morning to listen to him in the temple.
Footnotes
- Luke 21:1 See note on Mk 12:41-44.
- Luke 21:5 Scenes of terror and visions of hope alternate in this great discourse. If we are to understand its tone and vocabulary, we must put ourselves in the atmosphere created by various terrifying and magnificent pages of the Old Testament. On the eve of the catastrophe that destroyed both Jerusalem, for the first time, and the state of Israel in 587 B.C., some prophets had a presentiment of the spiritual ruin of the people and had warned them, with harsh invectives, of future punishments. Later on, people began to ask about the ultimate destiny of the world and humanity; this created a restlessness that was eschatological, that is, concerned with the ultimate end, the last times.
5
In the “apocalypses” or “revelations,” some authors imagined awe-inspiring scenes of wars, disasters, and judgment, which would usher in the coming of God and the salvation of the people. These accounts, which are to be read in accordance with their particular literary genre, always remain bewildering. - Luke 21:5 Around the year 19 B.C., Herod the Great undertook a splendid reconstruction of the temple. The very magnificence of the restored temple caused a sense of self-reliance and presumption (see Lk 13:34-35; 19:46; Jer 7:1-15; 26; Ezek 8:11; Mic 3:9-12).
- Luke 21:7 For a Jew, the destruction of the temple inaugurates the great tribulation of the end times. We understand that the disciples are worried. Jesus gives them signs: those more distant (vv. 10-11) will be taken up again even later on (vv. 25-26); those closer describe the events of the troubled years 66–70: appearances of false messiahs, civil wars and struggles, persecution of Christians. This persecution is a privileged sign of the coming of the kingdom of God, and it is seen to be severe. But let those who bear witness to Christ take courage, for they will not be abandoned. The Passion is the way to glory for the Christian community as it is for the Lord. Courage will be given to them to announce the essence of the message: Jesus Christ dead, risen, and to come.
- Luke 21:20 The evils that overtake the holy city are like a judgment of God upon it. But the tragic fate of Jerusalem and its temple inaugurates the laborious period in which is born the new world until all the pagans have heard the Good News of salvation and Israel itself is converted (see Rom 11:25-27).
- Luke 21:25 At the end of the final crisis, which is described in the violent images dear to the Prophets and the authors of the apocalypses (see Isa 13:10; 24:23; 34:4; Ezek 32:7-8; Joel 4:15), Jesus, the victorious Christ, will come to judge the world and deliver those who have remained faithful and are ready to welcome him (see Dan 7:13). The signs, especially persecutions, are pledges of hope and deliverance (see Rom 8:23; Eph 1:14; 4:30).
- Luke 21:32 In the apocalyptic genre, a “generation” signifies an age of the world, a stage in God’s plan.
- Luke 21:34 Since in Luke’s perspective the end of the world is not considered to be imminent, the exhortation to be vigilant voiced here is more pressing so that the delay may not numb the heart of the Christian. At the same time, there is an invitation to pray that the day of the Lord may not come unexpectedly and find us unprepared to appear before the divine Judge.
- Luke 21:37 During the final week of his life (Sunday to Thursday), Jesus taught in the temple in the morning, and all the people came to hear him.
Luke 21
King James Version
21 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4 For 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.
5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
6 As 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.
7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
8 And 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.
9 But 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.
10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
12 But 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.
13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16 And 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.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
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.
Luka 21
Neno: Bibilia Takatifu
21 Alipokuwa Hekaluni Yesu aliwaona matajiri wakiweka sadaka zao kwenye sanduku la sadaka. 2 Akamwona na mama mmoja mjane, maskini sana, akiweka humo sarafu mbili. 3 Akasema, “Nawaambia kweli, huyu mjane ametoa sadaka kubwa zaidi kuliko hao wengine wote. 4 Kwa maana hao wengine wametoa sehemu ndogo tu ya utajiri wao, lakini yeye, ingawa ni maskini, ametoa vyote alivyokuwa navyo.”
Dalili Za Siku Za Mwisho
5 Baadhi ya watu walikuwa wakizungumza kuhusu Hekalu jinsi lilivyopambwa kwa mawe mazuri na mapambo maridadi yaliyotolewa kama sadaka kwa Mungu. Yesu akawaambia, 6 “Wakati unakuja ambapo vyote hivyo mnavyovistaajabia sasa vitabomolewa, halitabaki hata jiwe moja juu ya jingine.” 7 Wakamwuliza, “Mwalimu, mambo haya yatatokea lini na ni dalili gani zitaonyesha kwamba yanakari bia?” 8 Akawajibu, “Jihadharini msije mkadanganywa. Maana wengi watakuja wakitumia jina langu, na kusema, ‘Mimi ndiye’ na ‘Wakati umekaribia’. Msiwafuate. 9 Na mtakaposikia habari za vita na machafuko, msiogope, kwa maana hayo ni lazima yatokee kwanza, ila mwisho hautatokea wakati huo.”
10 Kisha akawaambia: “Taifa moja litapigana na taifa lin gine na utawala mmoja utapigana na utawala mwingine. 11 Kutaku wepo na matetemeko ya ardhi, njaa kali na magonjwa ya kuambukiza katika sehemu mbalimbali; kutakuwa na matukio ya kutisha na ishara kuu kutoka mbinguni.”
Mateso
12 “Lakini kabla haya yote hayajatokea watu watawakamata ninyi na kuwatesa. Mtashtakiwa mbele ya wakuu wa masinagogi na kufungwa magerezani; na wengine mtapelekwa kushtakiwa mbele ya wafalme na watawala kwa ajili ya jina langu. 13 Na hii itawapa nafasi ya kutoa ushuhuda kuhusu imani yenu. 14 Lakini msiwe na wasiwasi juu ya matayarisho ya utetezi wenu kabla ya mashtaka. 15 Kwa maana nitawapa maneno na hekima ambayo maadui zenu hawa taweza kukataa au kupinga. 16 Mtasalitiwa na wazazi, ndugu, jamaa na marafiki na baadhi yenu mtauawa. 17 Watu wote watawa chukia kwa ajili yangu. 18 Lakini hautapotea hata unywele mmoja wa vichwa vyenu! 19 Simameni imara nanyi mtaokoa nafsi zenu.”
Kuteketezwa Kwa Yerusalemu
20 “Mkiona mji wa Yerusalemu umezungukwa na majeshi, faham uni kwamba karibu utaangamizwa. 21 Wakati huo, wale walio Yudea wakimbilie milimani; walio mjini Yerusalemu waondoke humo na wale walioko mashambani wasije mjini. 22 Kwa sababu huu utakuwa wakati wa kulipiza kisasi ili yale yote yaliyosemwa kwenye Maan diko yatimie.
23 “Ole wao akina mama watakaokuwa waja wazito na wata kaokuwa wakinyonyesha! Kutakuwa na dhiki nchini na ghadhabu ya Mungu itakuwa juu ya watu wa taifa hili. 24 Wengine watauawa kwa silaha na wengine watachukuliwa mateka na kupelekwa nchi mbalim bali. Na Yerusalemu itamilikiwa na watu wa mataifa mengine mpaka muda wa mataifa hayo utakapokwisha.”
Kuja Kwa Mwana Wa Adamu
25 “Kutakuwa na matukio ya ajabu kwenye jua, mwezi na nyota. Hapa ulimwenguni, mataifa yatakuwa katika dhiki na wasi wasi kutokana na ngurumo na dhoruba za kutisha zitakazotokea baharini. 26 Watu watakufa moyo kwa hofu na wasiwasi kuhusu yale wanayoogopa kuwa yataukumba ulimwengu; kwani nguvu za anga zita tikisika. 27 Ndipo wataniona mimi Mwana wa Adamu nikija katika wingu kwa uwezo na utukufu mkuu. 28 Mambo haya yakianza kutokea, simameni imara, mjipe moyo, kwa kuwa ukombozi wenu unakaribia.”
29 Akawaambia mfano, “Utazameni mtini na miti mingine yote. 30 Inapochipua majani, mnatambua ya kuwa wakati wa mavuno uko karibu. 31 Hali kadhalika, mkiyaona mambo haya yanatokea, faham uni kwamba Ufalme wa Mungu umekaribia. 32 Nawaambieni kweli, kizazi hiki hakitakwisha kabla mambo haya hayajatokea. 33 Mbingu na nchi zitatoweka lakini maneno yangu yatadumu daima.” Siku Ya Mwisho Itakuja Ghafla
34 Jihadharini msije mkatawaliwa na ulafi, ulevi na wasiwasi wa maisha haya. Kisha siku ikafika pasipo ninyi kutazamia mka naswa! 35 Kwa maana siku hiyo itawakumba watu wote waishio duniani. 36 Kaeni macho na ombeni ili Mungu awawezeshe kuepuka yale yote yatakayotokea na mweze kusimama mbele yangu mimi Mwana wa Adamu.”
37 Kila siku Yesu alikuwa akifundisha Hekaluni na jioni ili pofika alikwenda kulala kwenye mlima wa Mizeituni. 38 Na asubuhi na mapema watu wote walikuwa wakija Hekaluni kumsikiliza.
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