Jesus looked up and saw the rich dropping their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow drop in two tiny copper coins.[1] 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you: this poor widow has put in more than all the rest. 4 All those people gave their gifts out of their surplus, but she — out of her poverty — put in everything she had to live on.”
5 Some were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and dedicated gifts. Jesus said,[2] 6 “These things you’re looking at — the days will come when not one stone will be left on another. Every one will be thrown down.”
7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what will be the sign that these things are about to take place?”
8 He said, “Watch out that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come near.’ Don’t follow them. 9 And when you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be terrified. These things must happen first, but the end won’t come right away.”
10 Then he told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues. There will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, dragging you before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will be your chance to bear witness. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time, 15 because I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will be lost. 19 By standing firm, you will gain your lives.”
20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that her desolation is near.[3] 21 Then let those in Judea run for the mountains. Let those inside the city leave. And let those out in the countryside not enter it. 22 For these are the days of punishment, so that everything written may be fulfilled. 23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and anger against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the nations, until the times of the nations are completed.”
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And on the earth, nations will be in anguish, bewildered by the roaring and surging of the sea. 26 People will faint from fear, dreading what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.[4] 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up straight and lift your heads — your liberation is drawing near.”
29 He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen, I tell you: this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
34 “Watch yourselves. Don’t let your hearts grow dull with carousing, drunkenness, and the worries of life, or that day will spring on you suddenly 35 like a trap. For it will come upon everyone living on the face of the whole earth. 36 Stay alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that are about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he went out and stayed on the hill called the Mount of Olives.[5] 38 And all the people would come early in the morning to hear him in the temple.
Notes
Note 1. The Greek names the coin a λεπτόν (lepton), the smallest and least valuable coin in circulation — worth only a tiny fraction of a day-laborer’s wage. Two of them together were still almost nothing. ↩
Note 2. The “dedicated gifts” (ἀναθήματα) were votive offerings displayed in the temple. Josephus describes the façade covered in gold and a great golden vine hung with clusters of grapes as tall as a man, to which worshippers would add a golden leaf or grape. ↩
Note 3. In 70 AD Roman legions under the general Titus — who later became emperor — besieged Jerusalem and destroyed the temple, ending the First Jewish Revolt. ↩
Note 4. The image draws on Daniel 7:13-14, where “one like a son of man” comes with the clouds of heaven and is given everlasting dominion and an indestructible kingdom over all peoples. ↩
Note 5. The Mount of Olives is a ridge just east of Jerusalem, slightly higher than the Temple Mount and separated from it by the Kidron Valley. Its name comes from the olive groves that once covered it, and it lay within easy walking distance of the temple. ↩