Matthew 24:14-34
New King James Version
14 And this (A)gospel of the kingdom (B)will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
The Great Tribulation(C)
15 (D)“Therefore when you see the (E)‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (F)(whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But (G)woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For (H)then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; (I)but for the [a]elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
23 (J)“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For (K)false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, (L)if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.
26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 (M)For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 (N)For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
The Coming of the Son of Man(O)
29 (P)“Immediately after the tribulation of those days (Q)the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 (R)Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, (S)and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 (T)And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His [b]elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The Parable of the Fig Tree(U)
32 “Now learn (V)this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know (W)that [c]it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, (X)this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 24:22 chosen ones’
- Matthew 24:31 chosen ones
- Matthew 24:33 Or He
Matthew 24:14-34
Amplified Bible
14 This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come.
Perilous Times
15 “So when you see the [a]abomination of desolation [the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place (let the [b]reader understand),(A) 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [for refuge]. 17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things that are in his house [because there will not be enough time]. 18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 19 And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 Pray that your flight [from persecution and suffering] will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath [when Jewish laws prohibit travel]. 21 For [c]at that time there will be a great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again].(B) 22 And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened. 23 Then if anyone says to you [during the great tribulation], ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). 25 Listen carefully, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms [of a house],’ do not believe it. 27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the [d]vultures will flock together.(C)
The Glorious Return
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not provide its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.(D) 30 And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor].(E) 31 And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet and they will gather together His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.(F)
Parable of the Fig Tree
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its young shoots become tender and it puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near;(G) 33 so you, too, when you see all [e]these things [taking place], know for certain that He is near, right [f]at the door. 34 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 24:15 I.e. the Antichrist (2 Thess 2:4), “the prince who is to come” who will make a covenant with Israel, then break it in the middle of the tribulation (the seven-year period of Dan 9:27).
- Matthew 24:15 I.e. the reader of the book of Daniel (cf 24:15). Jesus is indicating that the final fulfillment of this prophecy is yet to come.
- Matthew 24:21 The most obvious sign during the tribulation, prior to the second coming of Jesus, is when the abomination that causes desolation (the Antichrist) sets his image in the temple.
- Matthew 24:28 The Greek for “vultures” can also be translated “eagles,” but the reference is most likely to the vulture, which the Greek word includes with eagles as a class. The meaning of this much discussed verse is either that the corpse represents the returning Christ, whose appearance will attract the attention of the entire world, that is, the vultures; or that the corrupt world is the corpse, about to be judged by the returning Christ (Rev 19:18).
- Matthew 24:33 I.e. false christs, wars, famines, earthquakes.
- Matthew 24:33 I.e. the return of the Christ is imminent.
Mark 13:12-30
New King James Version
12 Now (A)brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 (B)And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But (C)he who [a]endures to the end shall be saved.
The Great Tribulation(D)
14 (E)“So when you see the (F)‘abomination of desolation,’ [b]spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then (G)let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 (H)But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 (I)For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
21 (J)“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and (K)wonders to deceive, if possible, even the [c]elect. 23 But (L)take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
The Coming of the Son of Man(M)
24 (N)“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be (O)shaken. 26 (P)Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His [d]elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
The Parable of the Fig Tree(Q)
28 (R)“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that [e]it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Mark 13:13 bears patiently
- Mark 13:14 NU omits spoken of by Daniel the prophet
- Mark 13:22 chosen ones
- Mark 13:27 chosen ones
- Mark 13:29 Or He
Mark 13:12-30
Amplified Bible
12 Brother will betray brother to [be put to] death, and a father [will hand over] his child; and children will rise up and take a stand against parents and have them put to death. 13 You will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but the one who [patiently perseveres empowered by the Holy Spirit and] endures to the end, he will be saved.
14 “But when you see the [a]abomination of desolation standing [in the temple sanctuary] where it ought not to be (let the [b]reader understand) then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.(A) 15 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down [to enter the house], or go inside to take anything out of his house; 16 whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 17 And woe to those women who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 Pray that it will not occur in winter, 19 for at that time there will be such tribulation as has not occurred, from the beginning of the creation which God made, until now—and never will [be again]. 20 And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose [for Himself], He shortened the days.(B) 21 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it; 22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will provide signs and wonders in order to deceive, if [such a thing were] possible, even the elect [those God has chosen for Himself]. 23 But be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.
The Return of Christ
24 “But in those days, after [the suffering and distress of] that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,(C) 25 and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.(D) 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory [in royal majesty and splendor].(E) 27 And then He will send out the angels, and will gather together His elect [those He has chosen for Himself] from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and it puts out its leaves, you recognize that summer is near.(F) 29 Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, know [for certain] that He is near, right at the door. 30 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Mark 13:14 I.e. the detestable one who desecrates the temple. See note Matt 24:15.
- Mark 13:14 I.e. the reader of the book of Daniel (cf Matt 24:15). Jesus is indicating that the final fulfillment of this prophecy is yet to come.
Luke 21:16-32
New King James Version
16 (A)You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put (B)some of you to death. 17 And (C)you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 (D)But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.
The Destruction of Jerusalem(E)
20 (F)“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that (G)all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 (H)But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles (I)until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man(J)
25 (K)“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, (L)for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man (M)coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because (N)your redemption draws near.”
The Parable of the Fig Tree(O)
29 (P)Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.
Read full chapter
Luke 21:16-32
Amplified Bible
16 But you will be betrayed and handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17 and you will be continually hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.(A) 19 By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls.
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by [hostile] armies, then understand [with confident assurance] that her complete destruction is near. 21 At that time, those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside the city (Jerusalem) must get out, and those who are [out] in the country must not enter the city; 22 for these are days of vengeance [of rendering full justice or satisfaction], so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those women who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For great trouble and anguish will be on the land, and wrath and retribution on this people [Israel]. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed).(B)
The Return of Christ
25 “There will be signs (attesting miracles) in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth [there will be] distress and anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea and the waves,(C) 26 people fainting from fear and expectation of the [dreadful] things coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with [transcendent, overwhelming] power [subduing the nations] and with great glory.(D) 28 Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.”
Parable of the Fig Tree
29 Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees;(E) 30 as soon as they put out leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is near. 31 So you too, when you see these things happening, know [without any doubt] that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [those living at that definite period of time preceding the second coming] will not pass away until [a]everything takes place.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 21:32 I.e. the establishment of God’s kingdom.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
