Luke 21:1-38

1 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 timea 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.

Luke’s Good News

Luke

Hilda Bright

Chapter 21

The widow’s *offering 21:1-4

v1 Jesus looked up and watched the rich men. They dropped their money into the boxes in the *Temple. v2 He also saw a poor widow who put in two little copper coins. v3 He said, ‘I tell you; this poor widow has put in more than all the other people. v4 For the other people offered what they had to spare from all their riches. But she is very poor. She gave all that she had to live on’.

Verse 1 In the Court of the Women in the *Temple, there were 13 boxes. The priests collected people’s money in these boxes

Verse 2 The widow’s two coins were the smallest coins. They had little value. Yet, her gift was more generous than that of those who gave large amounts. They had given what they could easily afford. They still had plenty of money left.

This incident comes after that of the teachers of the law. It shows clearly the difference between a person who is sincere and a *hypocrite.

Jesus says that men will destroy Jerusalem 21:5-6

v5 Some people were talking about the *Temple. They spoke of its beautiful stones and the splendid gifts in it. Jesus said, v6 ‘You can see all this now. But the time will come when not one stone will remain upon another. Men will throw them all down’.

Verse 5 The *Temple was a magnificent building. The stones in the foundation (base) were enormous. Gold covered a large part of the walls. People, including King Herod, had given gifts that made the *Temple even more beautiful.

Verse 6 Jesus knew that the *Romans would completely destroy Jerusalem. The idea that anyone could destroy God’s *Temple was *blasphemy to the *Jews. But Jesus’ words came true 40 years later. The place where the *Temple had been became no more than a field. Men could plough it.

Troubles that will come in the future 21:7-19

Jesus answered a question. He spoke about the evidence of the end of the world. And when he would return. He also warned them about what would happen when armies attacked Jerusalem.

v7 Some people asked, ‘Teacher, when will this be? How shall we know that it is about to happen?’ v8 Jesus said, ‘Look out! Do not let men make you believe what they say about themselves. Many men will say, “I am the *Messiah!” and “The time of the end has come!” But do not follow them. v9 Do not be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions. These things must happen first. But the end will not be immediate’. v10 Then he said to them, ‘Nations will fight each other. *Kingdoms will attack one another. v11 The earth will give terrible shakes. In many places, people will starve. They will suffer awful diseases. There will be strange and terrible signs in the sky.

v12 Before all these things happen, the *Jews will arrest you. They will attack you. They will accuse you in the *synagogues. They will put you in prison. They will bring you to kings and rulers, because you are my *disciples. v13 This will be your chance to tell the Good News. v14 Do not worry about what to say in court. v15 For I will give you wise words. Then none of your enemies will be able to prove that you are wrong. They will not be able to say that your words are false. v16 Even your parents, brothers, relatives and friends will hand you over to the rulers. They will kill some of you. v17 Everybody will hate you because you are my *disciples. v18 You will not lose one hair from your head. v19 Remain loyal to me and you will gain *eternal life’.

Verse 7 The *disciples asked when armies would destroy Jerusalem. What would show them that it was about to happen?

Verse 8 Jesus warned them first not to trust false *Messiahs. They will say that they know the time of the end of the world.

Verses 9-10 Good relationships between nations will end. But wars will not be the evidence of the immediate end of the world. Wars will happen all through the time. Bad events have happened on the earth all through history. Strange events in the sky have always frightened people. But all these events will probably happen together before the end of the world.

Verses 12-19 describe the troubles that the *followers of Jesus will have. But God promises to help and protect.

Verses 12-13 The *Jews will oppose them. The *synagogues were not only places of *worship. They were also courts of law. ‘Kings and rulers’ means that the *Gentiles also will oppose the *disciples. In such situations, Christians will have opportunities. They will be able to tell people about Jesus. Later, Paul was in prison in *Rome. Many people were guarding him. He was able to speak about Christ to all of them (Philippians 1:12-13).

Verses 14-15 The *disciples may have to go to court. But they should not be anxious. Jesus himself would give them the right words to say.

Verse 16 Troubles will come even from friends and relatives. ‘Brothers’ means either actual brothers or close relatives. Jesus had already spoken about the divisions that being loyal to him would cause (Luke 12:51-53). Some *disciples would even suffer death for their *faith. In the early days of the church, the *Jews killed Stephen (Acts 7:54-60). Then Herod Antipas killed the *apostle James (Acts 12:2).

Verse 17 People in general will hate Christians. They hated Christ and therefore will hate those who obey him (John 15:18-19).

Verses 18-19 Jesus had used these words before to show that God cares (Luke 12:7). A *disciple may even suffer *physical death, but God can control all situations. *Disciples will be safe as they obey God. This should encourage them to remain loyal. Then they will receive life with God in heaven.

The defeat of Jerusalem 21:20–24

v20 ‘When armies surround Jerusalem, you will know that they will soon destroy it. v21 Then those people who are in Judea must escape to the hills. The people who are in the city of Jerusalem must leave. The people who are out in the country must not return to the city. v22 For those are days of punishment. Then all that the *Scriptures say will come true. v23 How terrible it will be in those days for women who are expecting babies! And for mothers with little children! Terrible suffering will come upon this land, and God will punish these people. v24 Some *Jews will die in the battle. Other *Jews will go to prison in all countries. The *Gentiles will rule Jerusalem until their time is over’.

Verse 20 About 40 years later, *Roman armies camped outside Jerusalem for about 5 months. The people in the city were starving. They were so desperate that they were even prepared to eat human bodies.

Verse 21 Jesus had warned his *disciples to leave the city. They did. They escaped to Pella, a city on the east side of the river Jordan.

Verse 22 The *prophets in the *Old Testament warned that God would punish his people for their wicked behaviour. The *Jews of Jesus’ time had refused his message too and they must expect punishment.

Verse 23 Jesus thought especially of women who were expecting babies or still feeding them. They would suffer themselves. And they would watch their children starve to death. It would be a terrible experience.

Verse 24 Thousands died when the *Romans broke into the city. The *Romans took thousands of other people to other countries. The phrase ‘until their time is over’ can mean ‘until God has decided that the *Gentiles can no longer rule Jerusalem’. Or it can mean ‘until the *Gentiles have had enough time to hear the good news about Jesus’.

The *Son of Man will return to earth 21:25-33

v25 ‘Strange things will happen to the sun, moon and stars. On earth, whole countries will be in despair. They will be afraid of the terrible roar of the sea and the huge waves. v26 People’s courage will fail completely. They will be afraid of what is going to happen over the whole earth. The sun, moon and stars in the sky will shake greatly. v27 Then the *Son of Man will appear. He will come in a cloud with great power and *glory. v28 When these things begin to happen, look up. Put your heads up. Because God will soon save you’.

v29 Then Jesus told them this *parable. ‘Think of the *fig tree and all the other trees. v30 When their leaves begin to appear, you know that summer is near. v31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know this. The *kingdom of God is near. v32 You can be sure about this. Some people alive will not die until all this has happened. v33 Sky and earth will not always last. But my words certainly will continue’.

Verses 25-26 The *Old Testament *prophets often wrote of strange events in the sky. These would happen before God’s judgement. The earth will become dark because the sun, moon and stars will not give their light (Amos 8:9; Joel 3:15). The sea will be greatly more stormy than usual. Something will shake the sky. The *Greek word for ‘shake’ refers to an earthquake (when the earth shakes greatly). But this will happen in the sky.

Verse 27 Daniel wrote that ‘one like a *Son of Man will come in the clouds of heaven’ (Daniel 7:13). Jesus said that he would return to the earth in this way. In the Bible, a cloud was often evidence that God was present (as in Exodus 13:21). When Jesus’ comes ‘in a cloud’ this describes how he will return in *glory.

Verses 28-31 Leaves first appear on trees when summer is near. In the same way, the events described in verses 25-27 will show that Jesus is about to return.

Verse 32 Some of the people whom Jesus spoke to would still be alive when the *Romans destroyed Jerusalem. Some writers think that Jesus was referring to those people. This would be true only if the defeat of Jerusalem was a sign of the end. Other people think that he meant the *Jews, or other people who would remain loyal to the end. Other people think that he meant ‘people who are alive then’. Not ‘people who are alive now (when Jesus was speaking)’.

Verse 33 What Jesus said would always be true. Whatever happens to the earth or sky will not change Jesus’ words.

*Disciples need to watch 21:34-38

v34-35 ‘Be careful not to spend time in eating and drinking too much. Do not allow worries to become a heavy weight. Otherwise the day when the *Son of Man comes may quickly catch you, like a trap. For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth. v36 Watch, and continue to pray. Pray that you will be strong enough to escape all that is going to happen. Then you will be able to stand in front of the *Son of Man’. v37 Every day Jesus was teaching in the *Temple. When evening came, he went out and spent the night on the *Mount of *Olives. v38 Early each morning people would go to the *Temple to listen to him.

Verse 34 Jesus had already warned his *disciples. They should be ready for when he returns to earth. Jesus told the *parable of the servants (Luke 12:35) and he described the fate of the people in the time of Noah and of Lot (Luke 17:22-29). This shows that judgement will be sudden. He now warns his *disciples about fun and worry. If they concentrate on these things, they will forget to watch for evidence.

Verse 35 A trap shuts quickly and catches an animal. When Jesus returns to earth it will happen quickly. *Disciples will need God’s strength to escape the troubles in the future. Then they will be ready to meet Jesus in heaven and serve him.

Verse 37 Thousands of people came to Jerusalem for *Passover. Jesus was able to continue to teach. The crowds were too great so the rulers would not arrest him. He may have slept outdoors on the *Mount of *Olives or stayed in a friend’s house that night.

This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words)

offering ~ a gift to please God.
Temple ~ special building in Jerusalem where Jews worshipped God.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.
hypocrites ~ persons who pretend to be better than they are.
Roman ~ person or thing that belongs to Rome.
Rome ~ capital of a great empire in *New Testament times.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
blasphemy ~ insulting God.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.'Christ/Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.

Messiah/Christ ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
kingdom ~ land that a king rules.
synagogue ~ a building where Jews gather to pray and to study the *Old Testament.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
disciple ~ one who follows another and learns from him; a person who believes in Jesus; a person who follows the things that he teaches.
eternal ~ without beginning or end.
follower ~ person who follows a leader.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.
Gentiles ~ people who are not Jews.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Rome ~ capital of a great empire in *New Testament times.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
faith ~ trust.
apostle ~ one of the 12 men whom Jesus chose to be his special helpers.
disciple ~ one who follows another and learns from him; a person who believes in Jesus; a person who follows the things that he teaches.
prophet ~ one who tells God’s messages.'Son of Man ~ special name that Jesus used of himself.
glory ~ everything that makes God beautiful and great; like a great light from God.
parable ~ a story with a moral meaning.
fig ~ kind of sweet fruit that grows on a tree.
kingdom ~ land that a king rules.
Greek ~ language of the *New Testament. Many people spoke Greek in *New Testament times.
Mount ~ small mountain.
olive ~ a kind of tree that has fruit.
Passover ~ annual ceremony to remember when God rescued the Jews from Egypt.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.

Luke: The Man Christ Jesus

Jesus Completes his Work in Jerusalem

Luke 19:45-21

Ian Mackervoy

Chapter 21

The widow’s gift – Luke 21:1-4

v1 Jesus looked up and he saw some rich people. They put their gifts into the box in the *temple. v2 Then he saw a poor widow who put two small *copper coins into the box. v3 And he said, ‘I tell you the truth. This poor widow has given more than all those other people. v4 From their plenty, the rich people gave gifts to God. But she is poor. She put in all that she had to live on.’

Verses 1-4 In the *temple, there was an area where the women could *worship. In that area was a special room.

That was where the priests stored gold and silver for the *temple. Here the people could put their gifts into 13 boxes. The money in 6 of the boxes was for general use. The money in the other 7 boxes was for particular purposes.

Jesus saw how the people put money into one of these boxes. Many rich people put a lot of money in the box (Mark 12:41). Then he saw a poor widow put two *copper coins in the box. These coins were the smallest of the *Jewish coins. They were worth very little.

Jesus said that this poor widow had given to God more than all the other people. They could afford what they had given to God. They had enough and more than enough for themselves. The value of the gift was in the cost to the person who gave it. She had given all that she had.

The true worth of a gift is not how much a person gives. It is not so much the amount of the gift but the attitude of the person who gives it. By her generous gift, this widow had shown true love for God.

The end of the age – Luke 21:5-38

v5 Some people talked about the *temple. The builders had built it with beautiful stones and with the gifts that people had given. v6 But Jesus said to them, ‘You see this *temple. The time will come when not one stone will remain on top of another stone. An enemy will throw them all down.’

v7 They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will these things happen? And how will we know that the time has come for these things to happen?’

v8 Jesus replied, ‘Be careful. Do not allow anyone to tempt you away from me. Many will come who will use my name. They will say, ‘I am the *Christ.’ They will say that the time has come. Do not follow them. v9 Do not be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions. These things must happen first. But they do not mean that the end is near.’

v10 Then he said to them, ‘Nations will fight against other nations. *Kingdoms will fight against other *kingdoms. v11 In many places, there will be terrible *earthquakes. People will suffer from lack of food and awful diseases. Also, people will see strange and terrible things in the sky.

v12 Before all these things happen, people will arrest you. They will *persecute you. They will hand you over to their *synagogues and they will put you in prisons. They will accuse you in front of kings and rulers because of my name. v13 But this will give you an opportunity to tell about me. v14 So do not worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. v15 I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you. They will not be able to argue against you. v16 Even parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will hand you over to your enemies. And they will kill some of you. v17 All people will hate you because of me. v18 But you will not lose even one hair from your head. v19 Stand firm and you will gain life.

v20 You will see when armies come to camp all round Jerusalem. Then you will know that they will soon destroy Jerusalem. v21 Then the people who are in Judea should escape to the mountains. Those people who live in the city should leave it. Those people who are in the country should not go into the city. v22 These are the days of punishment. All that the *scriptures say about it will happen. v23 In those days, it will be terrible for women who are expecting babies. It will be terrible for mothers who *nurse young children. The earth will suffer terribly; the people in this country will suffer because of the anger. v24 Their enemies will kill some of the people with swords. They will take other people as prisoners to all the other countries. People from other nations will walk all over Jerusalem. This will continue until the end of the periods of time that belong to the nations.

v25 Strange things will happen to the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, fear will fill the nations. The roar of the sea and of the great waves will confuse and worry them. v26 People will be weak with fear, because of the things that they expect to happen in the world. God will shake the heavens, the sun, moon and the stars. v27 Then people will see the Son of Man as he comes in a cloud. He will come with power and much *glory. v28 When these things begin to happen, stand up. Raise your heads, because your *salvation is near.’

v29 Then Jesus told this story, ‘Look at the *fig tree and all the other trees. v30 As soon as leaves grow on them, summer is near. You can see it for yourselves and you know it. v31 In the same manner, you will see that these things are happening. Then you will know that God’s *kingdom is near.

v32 I tell you the truth, all these things will happen. People of this time will certainly remain alive until all this has happened. v33 The heaven and the earth will not last. But the words that I have spoken will last for all time.

v34 Be careful how you live. Do not cause problems for yourselves by excesses of food and drink. Do not let the worries of life cause you not to be ready. Otherwise that day will take you by surprise. v35 Like a trap that catches a bird, that day will come on all the people across the whole earth. v36 So be ready at all times. Pray that God will make you able to escape all these things. They will happen soon. Pray that you will be able to stand in front of the Son of Man.’

v37 Each day Jesus taught the people at the *temple. And in the evenings, he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives. v38 Early each morning, all the people came to him in the *temple to hear him.

Verses 5-7 The *temple was a magnificent building. It had taken 46 years to build it (John 2:20). The *disciples admired it and they talked about it to Jesus (Mark 13:1; Matthew 24:1). They showed him the beautiful stones with which Herod had built it. But Jesus told them that an enemy would throw down all of these stones. The enemy would destroy the *temple.

Jesus and the *disciples left the *temple area. They went to the hill called the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24:3). As they sat there, they had a wonderful view of the *temple. The *disciples asked when the enemy would destroy the *temple.

In *AD 70, the *Roman army destroyed the *temple. It happened as Jesus had said.

Verses 8-11 Matthew 24:3 refers to three questions that the *disciples asked on this occasion. When shall these things be? What will show us that you are coming? What will show that the end of the world has come? In answer to these questions, Jesus spoke to them about the future. He will come before the end of the age. But that would not happen immediately. Much had to happen before the time when he would return.

Before Jesus comes, there will be many false *prophets. Jesus warned his *disciples not to believe them. Many will come who pretend to be the *Christ. Many people will believe them and they will follow these false *Christs. However, Jesus warns his *disciples not to follow any of these false *Christs.

Before the end comes, there will be wars between nations. There will be many *earthquakes. People will die from the lack of food and because of diseases. There will be strange things in the sky. These things are the beginning of the troubles that will come upon the world.

Verses 12-19 This passage refers to the time before the *Romans destroyed the *temple. But in the same way, people will *persecute those who believe until the end of time.

Jesus told his *disciples that people would *persecute them. The *synagogues were not just places for *worship. There they dealt with legal matters under the *Jewish law. People would drag the *disciples in front of the *synagogue rulers. They would put the *disciples in prison. Also, people who were not *Jews would *persecute the *disciples. Those people who believe in Jesus would stand in front of kings and rulers.

In these circumstances, the Christians would be able to declare what God has done on their behalf. They would not need to make plans about how they should defend themselves. God would show them what to say. They would speak by means of the *Holy Spirit in them (Mark 13:11). Their enemies would not be able by their arguments to overcome the Christians.

The *gospel of *Christ will divide families. Close relatives will become enemies. They will hand Christians over to their enemies. But God is in control and he will work out his purposes. Some of the Christians will die. Then they will go to be with the *Lord Jesus.

People hate Christians because Christians believe in Jesus Christ. But the people of this world cannot hurt Christians unless God allows it. Men may kill the body but they can do nothing more. The real life of a Christian is with the *Lord Jesus. To those Christians who continue to the end, God promises *eternal life.

Verses 20-24 Jesus told the *disciples that armies would surround Jerusalem. The armies would destroy the city. This is not a *prophecy about the end of the present age. It refers to *AD 66 to 70 when the *Romans destroyed Jerusalem. God permitted the *Romans to punish Jerusalem.

It would be normal for people from the country to go into the city in time of war. But Jesus warned his *disciples not to go into the city. Those people who were in the city should come out of it. They should go into the mountains. When the *Romans began to gather round Jerusalem, many of the Christians escaped to Pella. Pella was a town in the region called Decapolis. This region was east of the River Jordan and south of the Sea of Galilee. They were safe there.

As Jesus had said, it was a terrible time. The *Romans killed many thousands of people. And they took several thousands as prisoners. They sent their prisoners into foreign countries. Josephus, a *Jewish writer in the first century, wrote that the *Romans killed 1 100 000 people. He also says that they took 97 000 prisoners. These numbers are probably too large. But they do show how terrible it was.

Jerusalem would be in the control of other nations. This would continue until the times of the nations ended. It is not clear what this means. However, it is my belief that those times are now ending. That is because Jerusalem is not now under the control of the nations.

Verses 25-28 The subject now changes to the time when Jesus will come again. Before he comes there will be strange events in the sky. Matthew and Mark tell us that the sun and the moon will lose their light. They say that stars will seem to fall from the sky. The heavens will shake (Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24). There will be major effects on the seas and on the earth. All these things will frighten people. These things will cause confusion and terror among the people.

Then Jesus will come with power and great *glory. He will not come in secret. People everywhere will see him as he comes in a cloud. The *disciples saw Jesus as he rose into the cloud. Men in white clothes (actually *angels) told them that Jesus had gone to heaven. They said that he would come again in the same way (Acts 1:9-11).

The people who believe in Jesus will see the strange events in the skies. To them these events show that Jesus will come soon. Unlike other people, they can be confident. When Jesus comes, he will complete the process of *salvation. He will send his *angels to gather those people who belong to him (Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27).

Verses 29-33 In the spring, new leaves grow on the *fig and other trees. Then it will soon be summer. The new leaves show that summer is near. So, the events in the sky and the sea will show that God’s *kingdom is near. This means that Jesus the king will come soon.

Verse 32 mentions the ‘people of this time’. That cannot mean those people who lived at the same time as Luke. So it probably means the people who live at the time of the strange events in the sky. Those strange events have not happened yet. The ‘people of this time’ is our translation of a particular word in the original language. This word could mean a type or nation of people. Perhaps it means that there will still be *Jews or Christians at that time. The word could mean the normal life of a man. Then the events would last for no more than the period of a man’s life.

One day, God will destroy this earth and sky. But what Jesus said will always last. We can be sure that all these events will happen. It will be as Jesus has spoken.

Verses 34-36 The *Lord Jesus will come suddenly. It will be a surprise to the whole world. They will not prepare themselves for him to come. But those people who belong to Jesus should prepare themselves. They should live as if they expect Jesus to come at any time. They should not give themselves to too much food and drink. They should not let the affairs of this world make them anxious. They should pray for God to help them to be strong in *faith. They should pray that finally they would be able to stand in front of the *Lord Jesus. To stand before the Son of Man means to possess complete *salvation.

Verses 37-38 Each day, Jesus taught in the *temple. But he did not stay in Jerusalem. At night, he went out to the hill called the Mount of Olives.

Jesus was popular with the people. A large number of them came to the *temple early each day to hear him.

temple ~ a special building for the worship of God. The Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God. But at other temples, people worshipped false gods.
worship ~ the act when someone gives honour to God. Someone who worships, praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.'copper coins ~ coins that were worth very little.
worship ~ the act when someone gives honour to God. Someone who worships, praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
Jewish ~ people or things that are from the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
Christ ~ the Christ is the name for the person whom God would send to be the Saviour of his people. Jesus is the Christ and he was called Christ.
Saviour ~ a title for Jesus, who saves his people from their sins.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
kingdom ~ the place or territory where a king rules. In the New Testament, this is nearly always the people over whom the king rules and not a territory on earth.
kingdom ~ the place or territory where a king rules. In the New Testament, this is nearly always the people over whom the king rules and not a territory on earth.
earthquake ~ when the earth shakes, that is an earthquake.
persecute ~ to attack and to hurt people because of what they believe.
synagogue ~ a building where Jews gather for prayer; a meeting place for Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
scriptures ~ the books of the Bible.
nurse ~ when a mother gives milk to her baby from her breast.
glory ~ great honour and beauty.
salvation ~ the result when God saves us from sin and punishment; the new life that God gives to those people who believe in the Lord Jesus.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God.

Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
figs ~ a kind of sweet fruit.
disciple ~ a person who follows a leader, especially the 12 men that Jesus chose to be with him.
AD ~ years after Christ.
Christ ~ the Christ is the name for the person whom God would send to be the Saviour of his people. Jesus is the Christ and he was called Christ.
Saviour ~ a title for Jesus, who saves his people from their sins.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Roman ~ Rome was the capital city of the rulers at that time. Anything that belonged to Rome was Roman.
prophet ~ person who speaks for God. A prophet can sometimes say what will happen in the future.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.'Holy Spirit ~ God’s Spirit whom Jesus sent to help his people. It is another name for God, also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and the Comforter. The Holy Spirit is a person but not human. He lives and works for God. He is God, equal with God the Father and with God the Son.
gospel ~ the good news that God saves people from sin because of Jesus Christ.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God.

Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.

'eternal life ~ life of a new quality for those people who believe in Jesus. This new life will be with Jesus always.
prophecy ~ a message from God; a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit ~ God’s Spirit whom Jesus sent to help his people. It is another name for God, also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and the Comforter. The Holy Spirit is a person but not human. He lives and works for God. He is God, equal with God the Father and with God the Son.
angel ~ a servant of God from heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages. So, angels are God’s servants from heaven. But there are evil angels who opposed God. These evil angels now serve the devil.
faith ~ trust in someone or something; belief and trust in God and in Jesus Christ his Son.'

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