Luke 21:20-38

20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that it will soon be destroyed.
21 Then those who are in Judea must run away to the hills; those who are in the city must leave, and those who are out in the country must not go into the city.
22 For those will be "The Days of Punishment,' to make come true all that the Scriptures say. 1
23 How terrible it will be in those days for women who are pregnant and for mothers with little babies! Terrible distress will come upon this land, and God's punishment will fall on this people.
24 Some will be killed by the sword, and others will be taken as prisoners to all countries; and the heathen will trample over Jerusalem until their time is up.
25 "There will be strange things happening to the sun, the moon, and the stars. On earth whole countries will be in despair, afraid of the roar of the sea and the raging tides. 2
26 People will faint from fear as they wait for what is coming over the whole earth, for the powers in space will be driven from their courses.
27 Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in a cloud with great power and glory. 3
28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your salvation is near."
29 Then Jesus told them this parable: "Think of the fig tree and all the other trees.
30 When you see their leaves beginning to appear, you know that summer is near.
31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that the Kingdom of God is about to come.
32 "Remember that all these things will take place before the people now living have all died.
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34 "Be careful not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day may suddenly catch you
35 like a trap. For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth.
36 Be on watch and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man."
37 Jesus spent those days teaching in the Temple, and when evening came, he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 4
38 Early each morning all the people went to the Temple to listen to him.

Cross References 4

  • 1. 21.22Hosea 9.7.
  • 2. 21.25Isaiah 13.10;Ezekiel 32.7;Joel 2.31;Revelation 6.12, 13.
  • 3. 21.27Daniel 7.13;Revelation 1.7.
  • 4. 21.37Luke 19.47.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.