Luke 21
Easy-to-Read Version
True Giving(A)
21 Jesus looked up and saw some rich people putting their gifts to God into the Temple collection box. 2 Then he saw a poor widow put two small copper coins into the box. 3 He said, “This poor widow gave only two small coins. But the truth is, she gave more than all those rich people. 4 They have plenty, and they gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had to live on.”
Jesus Warns About the Future(B)
5 Some of the followers were talking about the Temple. They said, “This is a beautiful Temple, built with the best stones. Look at the many good gifts that have been offered to God.”
6 But Jesus said, “The time will come when all that you see here will be destroyed. Every stone of these buildings will be thrown down to the ground. Not one stone will be left on another.”
7 Some followers asked Jesus, “Teacher, when will these things happen? What will show us that it is time for these things to happen?”
8 Jesus said, “Be careful! Don’t be fooled. Many people will come using my name. They will say, ‘I am the Messiah[a]’ and ‘The right time has come!’ But don’t follow them. 9 When you hear about wars and riots, don’t be afraid. These things must happen first. Then the end will come later.”
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Nations will fight against other nations. Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. 11 There will be great earthquakes, sicknesses, and other bad things in many places. In some places there will be no food for the people to eat. Terrible things will happen, and amazing things will come from heaven to warn people.
12 “But before all these things happen, people will arrest you and do bad things to you. They will judge you in their synagogues and put you in jail. You will be forced to stand before kings and governors. They will do all these things to you because you follow me. 13 But this will give you an opportunity to tell about me. 14 Decide now not to worry about what you will say. 15 I will give you the wisdom to say things that none of your enemies can answer. 16 Even your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will turn against you. They will have some of you killed. 17 Everyone will hate you because you follow me. 18 But none of these things can really harm you. 19 You will save yourselves by continuing strong in your faith through all these things.
The Destruction of Jerusalem(C)
20 “You will see armies all around Jerusalem. Then you will know that the time for its destruction has come. 21 The people in Judea at that time should run away to the mountains. The people in Jerusalem must leave quickly. If you are near the city, don’t go in! 22 The prophets wrote many things about the time when God will punish his people. The time I am talking about is when all these things must happen. 23 During that time it will be hard for women who are pregnant or have small babies, because very bad times will come to this land. God will be angry with these people. 24 Some of the people will be killed by soldiers. Others will be made prisoners and taken to all the different countries. The holy city of Jerusalem will be under the control of foreigners until their time is completed.
Don’t Fear(D)
25 “Amazing things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. And people all over the earth will be upset and confused by the noise of the sea and its crashing waves. 26 They will be afraid and worried about what will happen to the world. Everything in the sky will be changed. 27 Then people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up tall and don’t be afraid. Know that it is almost time for God to free you!”
My Words Will Live Forever(E)
29 Then Jesus told this story: “Look at all the trees. The fig tree is a good example. 30 When it turns green, you know that summer is very near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that God’s kingdom is very near.
32 “I assure you that all these things will happen while some of the people of this time are still living. 33 The whole world, earth and sky, will be destroyed, but my words will last forever.
Be Ready All the Time
34 “Be careful not to spend your time having parties and getting drunk or worrying about this life. If you do that, you won’t be able to think straight, and the end might come when you are not ready. 35 It will come as a surprise to everyone on earth. 36 So be ready all the time. Pray that you will be able to get through all these things that will happen and stand safe before the Son of Man.”
37 During the day Jesus taught the people in the Temple area. At night he went out of the city and stayed all night on the Mount of Olives. 38 Every morning all the people got up early to go listen to Jesus at the Temple.
Footnotes
- Luke 21:8 the Messiah Literally “the one,” meaning the chosen one sent by God. See “Messiah” in the Word List and Mt. 24:5.
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.
Lukas 21
Schlachter 2000
Das Scherflein der Witwe
21 Als er aber aufblickte, sah er, wie die Reichen ihre Gaben in den Opferkasten legten.
2 Er sah aber auch eine arme Witwe, die legte dort zwei Scherflein[a] ein;
3 und er sprach: Wahrlich, ich sage euch: Diese arme Witwe hat mehr eingelegt als alle!
4 Denn diese alle haben von ihrem Überfluss zu den Opfergaben für Gott beigetragen; sie aber hat aus ihrer Armut heraus alles eingelegt, was sie zum Lebensunterhalt besaß.
Jesus sagt die Zerstörung des Tempels voraus
5 Und als etliche von dem Tempel sagten, dass er mit schönen Steinen und Weihegeschenken geschmückt sei, sprach er:
6 Was ihr da seht — es werden Tage kommen, wo kein Stein auf dem anderen bleiben wird, der nicht abgebrochen wird!
7 Sie fragten ihn aber und sprachen: Meister, wann wird denn dies geschehen, und was wird das Zeichen sein, wann es geschehen soll?
Ankündigung von Verführung und Verfolgung
8 Da sprach er: Habt acht, dass ihr nicht verführt werdet! Denn viele werden unter meinem Namen kommen und sagen: Ich bin es!, und: Die Zeit ist nahe! Lauft ihnen nun nicht nach!
9 Wenn ihr aber von Kriegen und Unruhen hören werdet, so erschreckt nicht; denn dies muss zuvor geschehen; aber das Ende kommt nicht so bald.
10 Dann sprach er zu ihnen: Ein Heidenvolk wird sich gegen das andere erheben und ein Königreich gegen das andere;
11 und es wird hier und dort große Erdbeben geben, Hungersnöte und Seuchen; und Schrecknisse und große Zeichen vom Himmel werden sich einstellen.
12 Vor diesem allem aber werden sie Hand an euch legen und euch verfolgen und in Synagogen und Gefängnisse übergeben und vor Könige und Fürsten führen um meines Namens willen.
13 Das wird euch aber Gelegenheit zum Zeugnis geben.
14 So nehmt euch nun zu Herzen, dass ihr eure Verteidigung nicht vorher überlegen sollt;
15 denn ich will euch Weisheit und Fähigkeit zu reden geben, der alle eure Widersacher nicht werden widersprechen noch widerstehen können.
16 Ihr werdet aber auch von Eltern und Brüdern und Verwandten und Freunden ausgeliefert werden, und man wird etliche von euch töten,
17 und ihr werdet von allen gehasst werden um meines Namens willen.
18 Doch kein Haar von eurem Haupt wird verlorengehen.
19 Gewinnt eure Seelen durch euer standhaftes Ausharren!
Die Ankündigung der Zerstörung Jerusalems
20 Wenn ihr aber Jerusalem von Kriegsheeren belagert seht, dann erkennt, dass seine Verwüstung nahe ist.
21 Dann fliehe auf die Berge, wer in Judäa ist; und wer in [Jerusalem] ist, der ziehe fort aus ihr; und wer auf dem Land ist, der gehe nicht hinein in sie.
22 Denn das sind Tage der Rache, damit alles erfüllt werde, was geschrieben steht.
23 Wehe aber den Schwangeren und den Stillenden in jenen Tagen! Denn es wird große Not im Land sein und Zorn über dieses Volk!
24 Und sie werden fallen durch die Schärfe des Schwerts und gefangen weggeführt werden unter alle Heiden. Und Jerusalem wird zertreten werden von den Heiden, bis die Zeiten der Heiden erfüllt sind.
Das Kommen des Menschensohnes in Kraft und Herrlichkeit
25 Und es werden Zeichen geschehen an Sonne und Mond und Sternen, und auf Erden Angst der Heidenvölker vor Ratlosigkeit bei dem Tosen des Meeres und der Wogen,
26 da die Menschen in Ohnmacht sinken werden vor Furcht und Erwartung dessen, was über den Erdkreis kommen soll; denn die Kräfte des Himmels werden erschüttert werden.
27 Und dann werden sie den Sohn des Menschen kommen sehen in einer Wolke mit großer Kraft und Herrlichkeit.
28 Wenn aber dies anfängt zu geschehen, so richtet euch auf und erhebt eure Häupter, weil eure Erlösung naht.
29 Und er sagte ihnen ein Gleichnis: Seht den Feigenbaum und alle Bäume!
30 Wenn ihr sie schon ausschlagen seht, so erkennt ihr von selbst, dass der Sommer jetzt nahe ist.
31 So auch ihr: Wenn ihr seht, dass dies geschieht, so erkennt, dass das Reich Gottes nahe ist.
32 Wahrlich, ich sage euch: Dieses Geschlecht wird nicht vergehen, bis alles geschehen ist.
33 Himmel und Erde werden vergehen, aber meine Worte werden nicht vergehen.
Ermahnung zur Wachsamkeit
34 Habt aber acht auf euch selbst, dass eure Herzen nicht beschwert werden durch Rausch und Trunkenheit und Sorgen des Lebens[b], und jener Tag unversehens über euch kommt!
35 Denn wie ein Fallstrick wird er über alle kommen, die auf dem ganzen Erdboden wohnen.
36 Darum wacht jederzeit und bittet, dass ihr gewürdigt werdet, diesem allem zu entfliehen, was geschehen soll, und vor dem Sohn des Menschen zu stehen!
37 Er war aber tagsüber im Tempel und lehrte, bei Nacht aber ging er hinaus und übernachtete an dem Berg, welcher Ölberg heißt.
38 Und alles Volk kam früh zu ihm in den Tempel, um ihn zu hören.
Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International
Copyright © 2000 by Geneva Bible Society