Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem
20 “But
1when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that
2its desolation has come near.
21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,
22
for these are
3days of
4vengeance, to fulfill
5all that is written.
23
6Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and
7wrath against this people.
24
They will fall by the edge of the sword and
8be led captive among all nations, and
9Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles,
10until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “And
11there will be signs in sun and moon
12and stars, and on the earth
13distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
26
people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For
14the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27
And then they will see
15the Son of Man coming in a cloud
16with power and great glory.
28
Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and
17raise your heads, because
18your redemption is drawing near. ”
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
30
As soon as they come out in leaf, you see
19for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.
31
So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32
20Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.
33
21Heaven and earth will pass away, but
22my words will not pass away.
Watch Yourselves
34 “But watch yourselves
23lest
24your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and
25cares of this life, and
26that day come upon you suddenly
27like a trap.
35
For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36
But
28stay awake at all times,
29praying that you may
30have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and
31to stand before the Son of Man. ”
37
And
32every day he was teaching in the temple, but
33at night he went out and lodged on
34the mount called Olivet.
38
And early in the morning
35all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.