* The woodcarving titled "The Widow's Mite" by Dore, Gustave (1832-1883) was in "The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments, according to the Authorized Version. With illustrations by Gustave Dore."
Jesus watches and points to a woman who with head bowed places a coin in a receiving station mounted to a wall. Jesus in typical art his shown with a halo. The artist, Gustave Doré (1832-1883), has placed his signature at the lower left of the woodcut, and the engraver's signature, Adolphe François Pannemaker (1822-1900), is located at the lower right.
>1. What was Jesus doing?
* Luke 21:1-2 "As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins."
* Also recorded in Mark 12:41-44.
* "As he looked up" -Mark 12:41 records, "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts."
* "Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts" -He noticed them.
* "temple treasury" -A later tradition claims that thirteen receptacles, called trumpets because of their shape, for gifts to the temple treasury were in the Court of Women, accessible to Israelite women as well as to men. Nine chests were for the appointed money-tribute and for the sacrifice-tribute, i.e., money-gifts instead of the sacrifices; four chests for freewill-offerings for wood, incense, temple decoration, and burnt-offerings.
The temple sported ostentatious wealth, and its officials would probably waste this widow's money; but this powerless woman, ignorant of that likelihood, acts in good faith and is the greatest giver in God's sight. (various commentaries)
* "poor widow" -Widows and orphans were the most vulnerable in Jewish society.
* "two very small copper coins" -"leptos" in Greek. The Greek word can also be translated as "thin", "small", and "flake".
>What does this teach us?
* Faith is giving at least a tithe though it humanly hearts.
>Why do you think the rich did not impress him as much as the widow?
* Luke 21:3-4 "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
* "this poor widow has put in more than all the others" -Obviously not refer to more money. Faith is more valuable than money to Jesus.
* "All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth" -Though the monetary value was more, it did not affect them.
* "she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." -She would have to live by faith in God to provide her needs.
* Poor Widow's Offering.
Every person who has decided to follow Jesus will have multiple times when giving an offering ("doron" in Greek) will not be easy. Many ways exist for us to make an offering to God. An offering is not just money. Romans 12:1 states we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. This passage concerns giving coins (the widow's two "leptos" in Greek - 21:2; Mark 12:41). However, it can also apply to other offerings.
Jesus was sitting opposite where the offerings were put, which he had done before (John 8:20). Perhaps this would have been unavoidable because the religious leaders had placed many offering wells throughout the temple courts. Most definitely, it was deliberate.
Jesus noticed both the rich and the poor widow's offerings. He did not mention the large amounts the rich gave (1). He did, however, praise the two copper coins the widow gave. The Greek word can also be translated as "thin", "small", and "flake". Jesus said she gave more than the rich because "she, out of her poverty, gave all she had to live on".
Offerings are not just supporting the church staff and buildings (Numbers 18:20-32). For Jesus, offerings are a matter of faith and obedience. 2 Corinthians 8:11-12 states, "Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have."
Listen to the above comments on Luke 21:1-4.
II. Watch Out that You are Not Deceived (21:5-19)
>2. Why were Jesus' disciples impressed by the temple?
* Luke 21:5 "Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said,"
* Verse 5 is commentary by Luke.
* Matthew 24-25 and Mark 13 also record the disciples comments about the temple buildings and Jesus' response. See Matthew study 29 comments and Luke study 37 comments for more comments on this passage.
* Luke gives more details than Matthew and Mark on the exchange that prompted the teaching in the parable. Matthew and Mark include some teaching that Luke does not. Matthew adds parables that neither Mark or Luke do.
* Jesus draws much of the language of this discourse from the Old Testament.
* "the temple was adorned with beautiful stones" -Accounts of it beauty is in other non-Biblical books too. Some of them forty-five cubits long, five in depth, and six in breadth.
* "with gifts dedicated to God" -Verses 1-5 reveals that faith, not the amount matters. So if a beautiful building is erected by faith is more valuable to God than money that did not require faith because of great wealth.
* The Jerusalem temple was one of the most splendid structures of all antiquity and seemed strong and invincible (cf., e.g., Letter of Aristeas 100-101-see glossary entry for Aristeas); (Bible Background Commentary - New Testament)
>How did Jesus view the temple in a different way than the disciples?
* Luke 21:6 "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
* "The time will come" -70 A.D. the Romans defeated Israel and tore down the Temple.
* Mankind's place to meet with God, pray, and worship. When Jesus overturn the money changers and and drove out the animals he called it "a house of prayer for all nations".
>What appalling future state and destiny did Jesus tell them about the temple?
* "the time will come when not one stone will be left on another"
* "every one of them will be thrown down."
* Other groups also expected the temple to be judged, but most Jews, regardless of their other differences, found in the temple a symbol of their Jewish unity and would have been appalled to think that God would allow it to be destroyed (as in Jeremiah 7:4-15). Some stones were left on others (i.e. the solic base created by Solomon to level the area), but this fact does not weaken the force of the hyperbole: the temple was almost entirely demolished in a.d. 70-roughly forty years after Jesus predicted it. (Bible Background Commentary - New Testament)
>3. What two questions did the disciples ask Jesus?
* Luke 21:7 "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
* "when will these things happen?" -"These things" are referring to Jesus' prophecy about the destruction of the temple in verse 6. Jesus would answer this. However, he did not give a date as they were expecting. Rather, Jesus told them what will be happening just before the temple would be destroyed.
* "And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?" -Jesus directly answered this in verse 20 through 28. So he did not answer this first. At first he told them to not be deceived and frightened.
* Old Testament prophets often grouped events together by their topic rather than their chronological proximity, and Jesus in this discourse does the same. He addresses two separate questions: the time of the temple's destruction and the time of the end. (Bible Background Commentary - New Testament)
>Why did the destruction of the temple seem to imply the end of the age?
* Big Stones, Small Faith.
Jesus had been teaching in the temple all week. He had given many wise teachings and responded to confrontations by the Jewish religious establishment. Matthew records that Jesus pronounced woes against the religious leaders at the end of the last day of teaching. Jesus concluded the woes by stating, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" The disciples were shocked.
Jesus left the temple and traveled to the Mount of Olives. On the journey, the disciples started talking about the temple buildings, especially being sure to mention its large, beautiful stones (5; Matthew 24:1; Luke 13:1) because they had a hard time accepting what Jesus said about the destruction of the temple. One in particular was saying, "Look at these stones. Will they really be toppled down? They're so big. Take a look at how big they are. Who can tear down such large stones?" (I am paraphrasing.) Jesus confirmed they will all be torn down (6).
A clear distinction can be seen between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus knew that worshipping God was not about buildings and appearances before others. Jesus knew that worshipping God is about accepting God's son and worshipping him through obedient love and reverential fear. John records that at this time, "Jesus cried out, 'When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness'" (John 12:44-46).
Listen to the above comments on Luke 21:5-7.
>4. As the end of the age approaches what is the first thing that Christians must watch out for?
* Luke 21:8-9 "He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them."
* Jesus had already told them of similar events like this in 17:24-35.
* "Watch out" -The original Greek verb is "blepo" (a transliteration) meaning "look" both literal or figurative. This is elsewhere translated as "look", "perceive", "regard", and "take heed".
* "that you are not deceived" -The original Greek verb is "planao" meaning "to cause to roam", "deduce", and "to go astray".
* This was true for the first church and all that followed it. By first church I mean first congregation of Jesus followers, the first generation.
>What will the false messiahs do when they come?
* "For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.'"
* "The time is near." -Predictions of the end of this age, the second coming of Jesus, the rapture, and other things that do not come from God and is not inspired by the Holy Spirit.
>Can you give any reference about modern-day false messiahs?
* "I am he" -Claiming to be Jesus, while acknowledging he existed and even saying he was a prophet. Yet, they exalt themselves or one of their leaders as better and higher than Jesus.
* Mormons, aka Church of the Latter day Saints.
* Jehovah Witness
* Seven Day Adventists
* Muslims
* The Way International
* Many others like these. Some things that are common to these besides having a leader who is exulted higher than Jesus is preoccupation with sex other than what Jesus taught, evil selfish manipulation, and claiming all other teachers from Jesus till they came were wrong, inferior, and not going to the kingdom of God. They only recognize themselves as the true church.
>How can we avoid being deceived by the false messiahs?
* "Do not follow them." -Jesus would not have warned them unless it was possible. Therefore, if the apostles could be deceived, then so can I.
* Watch Out! -Matthew recorded Jesus telling two passages about watching: "The Parable of the Ten Virgins" and "The Parable of the Talents".
* False messiahs were common and drew significant Jewish followings in Palestine as late as Bar Kochba, whom Rabbi Akiba hailed as the Messiah after A.D. 130. (Bible Background Commentary - New Testament)
The disciples heard Jesus confirm it. The temple would be destroyed (6). The temple was the center of first-century Jewish life. The disciples knew that the temple would not go without a terrible war, and no temple meant no Israel. With Israel no more, the lifestyle that they knew would either change or be lost forever. Either way, Jesus' prophecy would mean a drastic change.
Drastic change has us asking why. The disciples did not need to ask why, for they knew that destruction was coming to Israel because of a lack of faith in the Messiah. Yet, they still had questions. When will his prophecy be fulfilled, and what will be the signs that they will begin (7)? Asking such questions shows the intimacy between Jesus and his disciples: Peter, James, John, and Andrew (Mark 13:3).
Jesus would answer these questions, but not before he warned them. "Watch out that no one deceives you!" He had stated this at least once before (Matthew 7:15-23).
So many have said, "Jesus is coming on such-and-such a day, and I am the messiah in my life that I cannot count them all. How many more will continue to do so? If Jesus gave this warning to his closest followers, then I cannot discount his warning now! Being a disciple of Jesus means I need to watch for clever deceivers.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 21:8-9.
>5. What are some of the frightening events that will happen before Jesus' return?
* Luke 21:9-11 "When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away. Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven."
* "When you hear of wars and revolutions"
* "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom"
* "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places"
* "and fearful events and great signs from heaven."
>When they happen how can we not be frightened?
* "do not be frightened" -A command as well as a warning.
* Fearful Events, Great Signs.
Between warnings of false christs (8) and persecutions (12-14), Jesus gave predictions of severe and fearful events and great signs. Somewhere, there is a nation or region that has been attacking another almost nonstop since Jesus's time. Revelation 6:4 tells of the fiery red horse of war that will be sent to the world during the seven years of tribulation. Billy Graham wrote about the fiery red horse's approaching hoof beats; that is about the increase of wars in my time.
Jesus tells his disciples to not be frightened.
Jesus also predicted great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven (11). Matthew and Mark add Jesus saying, "These are the beginning of birth pains." When the time of new birth reaches the final minutes, the pains increase in intensity and frequency. So it is with the birth of the new age to come.
Jesus tells his disciples to be on our guard (Mark 13:9), not against these severe and fearful events and great signs, but against the opposition from others against his disciples. "Do not be alarmed," he tells me. We have a God who loves us and will take care of us. Life may not be comfortable, and we may even be killed, but God works out all things for the good of those who love him.
The author of Hebrews wrote to the persecuted church in Judea shortly before the wars with Rome from 66 to 70 A.D. "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. As has just been said: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'" (Hebrews 3:12-15)
Listen to the above comments on Luke 21:9-11.
>6. How and why will Jesus' disciples be persecuted in the last days?
* Luke 21:12 "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name."
* "But before all this" -Jesus is referring to verses 10 and 11. Note that he is jotting back and forth in time. The prophets did this too. See the chart "Two Interpretations of Revelation's Timeline".
* "they will lay hands on you and persecute you" -Literally and figuratively.
* "They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons" -Religious authority.
* "you will be brought before kings and governors" -Civil authority.
* "They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons" -Literally and figuratively. The disciples and early Jewish believers who accepted Jesus were thrown in prisons and/or were not allowed (i.e. put out of the synagogue, excommunicated) to enter the Jewish synagogues upon arrest and punishment (John 12:42, 16:2). So, they began meeting in new places (Acts 9:20, 13:5, 17:1, 17, 18:4). In this respect the upper room in Jerusalem became the first Christian synagogue.
* "synagogues" -"Synagogues" is the noun (feminine) "synagoge" in the original Greek meaning "congregation" and "an assembly". "Synagoge" is from the root word "sunago" meaning "assembly of persons", especially a Jewish meeting or Jewish meeting place. By analogy, Christian churches in the beginning of the Church could and probably were known as a synagogue of people who accepted Jesus as the Messiah and The Way. The origin of "an assembly (synagogue)" is not known, but believed to grew in use and became a system of places of worship during exile in Babylon (Ezekiel 8:1, 14:1) and continued upon return to the promised land (Ezra 8:15; Nehemiah 14:1). The concept can be seen in Psalm 74:8, "They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land." The burning of church buildings continue to this day, recently in Egypt some of the oldest church buildings in the world were burned down by muslin zealots.
>Why can times of persecution become opportunities to glorify God?
* Luke 21:13 "This will result in your being witnesses to them."
* "and all on account of my name." -Both with actions and words. The persecutors hate Jesus.
* Results of Witnessing in Jesus's Name.
The apostles began to witness in Jesus's name when he left us. They did not preach prosperity, share fear, or reveal hidden secrets. They proclaimed Jesus's words and deeds in the same spirit that Jesus witnessed. As Jesus spoke on behalf of his Father through the Holy Spirit, I, with all believers, am called to "witness to them" (13) "in Jesus's name" (12).
Jesus told the results of being his witness. He guaranteed that all his disciples would be mishandled, persecuted, and delivered to religious and social judges for judgment (12). Church history records that all the apostles were martyred. Yet, the love of Christ was always with them. Apostle Paul wrote, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:35-37)
More than being here with me, Jesus gives me words and wisdom that none of my adversaries will be able to resist or contradict (15). I am not wise by worldly standards. What I give is what I receive from the Holy Spirit. I share what Christ already said as I tried to follow his example and practically apply his teachings. My place is not to be wise. It is to share and stand firm (19). This is living by faith in Jesus, especially when life crushes the body and soul, and all men hate me because of Jesus (17).
Listen to the above comments on Luke 21:12-19.
>How can we know what to say and have courage to say it when we are persecuted?
* Luke 21:14-15 "But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.
15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict."
* "But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves." -Defending why and what you have been saying about Jesus. Jesus is saying know that he is with his people so their is not need to worry. Worry is the opposite of faith.
* "For I will give you words and wisdom"
* "that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict."
>7. According to verse 16, what will be the persecution that is most difficult to endure?
* Luke 21:16-17 "You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me."
* "You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends"
* "and they will put some of you to death."
* "All men will hate you because of me."
>What does this teach us about our priorities?
*
>What promises does Jesus give to those who are faithful to him in every circumstance?
* Luke 21:18-19 "But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life."
* Verse 18 is only in Luke's gospel.
* "But not a hair of your head will perish." -Although persecution and death may come, God is in control, and the ultimate outcome will be eternal victory. In view of verse 16 this cannot refer to physical safety. The figure indicates that there will be no real, i.e. spiritual, loss." (NIV Study Bible).
"A proverbial expression for, 'Ye shall not suffer any essential injury.' Every genuine Christian shall escape when this desolation comes upon the Jewish state." (Adam Clarke's Commentary.)
"You shall suffer no real damage by all the hardships they shall put upon you (v. 18): There shall not a hair of your head perish." Shall some of them lose their heads, and yet not lose a hair? It is a proverbial expression, denoting the greatest indemnity and security imaginable; it is frequently used both in the Old Testament and New, in that sense. Some think that it refers to the preservation of the lives of all the Christians that were among the Jews when they were cut off by the Romans; historians tell us that not one Christian perished in that desolation. Others reconcile it with the deaths of multitudes in the cause of Christ, and take it figuratively in the same sense that Christ saith, He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. "Not a hair of your head shall perish but," First, "I will take cognizance of it." To this end he had said (Matthew 10:30), The hairs of your head are all numbered; and an account is kept of them, so that none of them shall perish but he will miss it. Secondly, "It shall be upon a valuable consideration." We do not reckon that lost or perishing which is laid out for good purposes, and will turn to a good account. If we drop the body itself for Christ's name's sake, it does not perish, but is well bestowed. Thirdly, "It shall be abundantly recompensed; when you come to balance profit and loss, you will find that nothing has perished, but, on the contrary, that you have great gain in present comforts, especially in the joys of a life eternal;" so that though we may be losers for Christ we shall not, we cannot, be losers by him in the end." (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible)
"It is a proverbial speech, signifying that they should have no hurt or damage by any thing which their enemies should do against them. When at the last you come to cast up your accounts, you shall find you have lost nothing, and your enemies shall also find that they have gained nothing." (Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible)
* "By standing firm you will gain life." -Kept faith in Jesus to the end. In Matthew 24:13 and Mark 13:13.
III. They Will See the Son of Man Coming (21:20-38)
>8. What did Jesus say about the indication of the destruction of Jerusalem as well about the signs of the end of the age coming to draw near?
* Luke 21:20-24 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.
22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.
23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.
24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
* Verse 20 begins Jesus answering the disciples question, "What will be the signs that the destruction of the Temple is about to happen?" These are signs that were witnessed before and during 70 A.D. and will happen again when modern Jewish leaders in modern Israel will build the temple again.
* Matthew 24:9-28 and Mark 13:9-23 add several things here including the prophecy, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)
* "Jerusalem being surrounded by armies" -Encamped armies, that is, besieged,
"the abomination of desolation" -meaning the Roman ensigns, as the symbols of an idolatrous, pagan, unclean power,
"spoken of by Daniel the prophet" -Daniel 9:27
"standing where it ought not" -Mark 13:14,
"Whoso readeth [that prophecy] let him understand" -Matthew 24:15.
(A Commentary: Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testaments)
* "this people" -The Jews. Jesus was on the Mount of Olives which is slightly higher than the temple across the valley. He was looking at all the Jews in the Temple and Jerusalem. Though the Temple was closed to the public by this time of day (it was night), the Levites were still doing their duty in the Temple, preparing Passover sacrifices. Therefore, we can take it that when he said to the disciples with him "this people" they knew we was refering to the Jews.
* "flee to the mountains" -"Eusebius says the Christians fled to Pella, at the north extremity of Perea, being "prophetically directed"; perhaps by some prophetic intimation still more explicit than this, which still would be their chart." (A Commentary: Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testaments)
>Why will such great distress in the land occur from a Biblically point of view?
* "For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written."
* Signs Foretold Fulfilled.
Jesus is answering the disciples' question, "And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?" (7) Jesus's answer, given as prophecies, was fulfilled in the revolt against Rome in 66 through 70 A.D. Some of the disciples who heard Jesus give these were still alive when they were fulfilled. In obedience, they left Jerusalem.
Jesus told them the reason these were about to take place in less than 30 years. He said, "For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. (22)" The Jewish leadership rejected the Messiah and handed him over to the Romans to be crucified. They were punished, just as Jesus' parables foretold.
Jesus said that the Jews who were not killed would be taken prisoner to all the nations (24). And so they were. Jesus said that Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And so they were. The Jews were given Jerusalem and the land surrounding it as a land of their own after the travesty of WWII.
Now with these prophecies fulfilled, what is next? Next, I should not be like the Jewish leadership 2,000 years ago, who rejected the Messiah. I should be like the apostles who accepted and obeyed. I should take heed of the warning of the writer of Hebrews. "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God." (Hebrews 10:26-27) For the judgment of the Gentile churches is soon to come. (Romans 11:21; 2 Peter 2:4-10)
Listen to the above comments on Luke 21:20-24.
>9. What are the signs that will appear in the heavens and at the time of Jesus' second coming?
* Luke 21:25-28 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
* Matthew 24:29-31 and Mark 13:24-27 are the same passage with more detail than Luke.
* "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." -Though most of these things happened before 70 A.D. Jesus is saying this will happen again at the second advent.
* "stand up and lift up your heads," -Do not be downcast and hardhearted even though all these terrible things are happening.
>Why will men be terrified?
* Supernatural disasters bring fear of end of either life or life as we know it.
* Fear is doubt in God and his love.
* 1 John 4:17-18 "In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
* Calm the Sea.
What is darkening my sun in midday? Faint not, behold the Son of Man is coming in a cloud.
What is turning my moon to bloody tears? Terror not, He comes in power and great glory.
What is causing my stars to fall from view? Weep no more, stand up and lift up your head for He comes to redeem.
What is tossing my intestines inside out? Perplex no more, His redemption is in hand.
What is shaking my timbers to the roots? Be steady, behold the Son of Man is coming in a cloud.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 21:25-28.
>10. Describe the coming of the Son of Man. What does his coming mean to mankind? How can we be sure it is near?
* The second coming means judgment.
* We can be sure it is near by the fulfillment of prophecies. Many here have not happened yet. Some have.
>11. How may God's people know the imminence of the coming of the kingdom of God?
* Luke 21:29-33 "He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
* Matthew 24:32-35 and Mark 13:28-31 are the same passage.
* "fig tree" -The fig tree and olive tree are often symbols of Israel and Judea in the Bible. (Hos. 9:10, Matt. 21:18-20, Mark 11:12-20, Luke 13:6-9, Rom. 11:13, 17-24, Ezek. 37:5-27, Jer. 11:16-17)
* "and all the trees" -Luke is the only author to include this phrase. So, perhaps, it can be understood that Jesus mention fig trees was not meaning Israel, but only using the fig trees that were sprouting on the Mount of Olives at this time (spring).
* "When they sprout leaves" -Only happens in the spring. Passover is in the spring. The Mount of Olives, nealy two miles long has date, olive, and fig trees. Bethany and Bethage mean "house of dates" and "house of figs" or "house of unrip figs".
* "when you see these things" -Jesus is addressing the four apostles (Mark 13:3 says only Peter, James, John, and Adrew were there.) as well as anyone who reads what the three gospel writers gave to the generations that followed them.
* "when you see these things" -All but one the disciples saw. That one thing is the gospel being preached to all the earth. Also, Jesus stating, "These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." (9)
* "kingdom of God" -"Kingdom" is "basileia" (feminine) and "God" is "Theos" (male) in the original Greek (transliterations). I wrote a lot on this in earlier commentaries and in the manuscript "The Believer's Future - Hope That Inspires" in this web site.
* Mark 13:29 and Matthew 24:33 have "it" instead of "the kingdom of God". However, the NIV notes that "it" could also be "he". The original Greek does not have a word here. The translators add "it" to form a proper sentence in English.
* "you know... is near" -Matthew 24:14 adds "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." This apostles did not see this.
* "this generation will certainly not pass away" -The original Greek for this phrase is "houtos genea ou me parerchomai" (a transliteration).
Greek "Houtos" and "houtoi" (plural of houtos) are demistrative pronouns used to point to a specific person or thing, usually the object is near the speaker. English Bibles translates it as "this", "these", "it", "he", "she", "they", "the same", and "this man or woman".
Greek "Genea" is a noun translated in English Bibles as "generation" and "nation", as well as "time" and "age". "Genea" is broader than simply a period of time. It is more equivalant to a "race", "family", "people", and "nation" than "time" and "age". (See below for more.)
Greek "Parerchomai" is a verb translated as "pass away", "pass", "pass by", "pass over", "transgress", "past", "go", and "come forth", and "come". In this instance it is translated as "pass away" and "pass". It can also imply neglecting, omitting, or even transgressive behavior. The verb can be used literally, as in moving past something, or figuratively, as in the passing away of time or things. Since Jesus used the negative particle "ou me" he is saying, "the Jews will NOT pass away" before all this happens even though they will be removed from the Promised Land.
* "generation" -The Greek verb can be translated two ways as discussed above and below. All English Bibles that I have translate the Greek into the English word "generation". Some commentaries refer to this as the "literal meaning" (A Commentary on the Holy Bible) and other's reject Jesus meaning "this nation" (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary). Others say nothing on the matter. Finally, some hold the view that Jesus is speaking of the Jewish people, meaning they will not pass away from existance until all this is fulfilled.
The NIV Bible translation has "generation", but also has a text note that states the alternative translation, "or race". The NIV Study Bible states in commentary for Mark 13:30, "If the term is understood as a normal life span, it may refer either to the generation in which Jesus lived while on earth or to the generation living when these signs begin to occure." The NIV Bible Study states in commentary for Luke 21:32, "If the reference is to the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred about 40 years after Jesus spoke these words, "generation" is used in its ordinary sense of a normal life span. All these things were fulfiled in a preliminary sense in the A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem. If the reference is to be the second coming of Christ, "generation" might indicate the Jewish people as a race (NIV test note), who were promised existence to the very end. Or it might refer to the future generation alive at the beginning of these things. It does not mean that Jesus had a mistaken notion he was going to return immediately.
Some commentaries I still have (I had to give away many when I moved around five years ago) discuss the meaning of the Greek word pointing out that both ways are true. Jesus referring to the generation of the disciples that he was teaching here did experience and/or witness all of these events at the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in 66 thru 70 A.D. (i.e. John). And it will happen again, very soon.
Jesus referring to the Jewish nation that rejected him as the Messiah would still exist though they experienced all these things, especially being taken as prisoners to all the nations. The nation stopped existing, but the Jewish people did not.
However, there is one thing that needs to noted concerning both translations' interpretations found in Adam Clarke's Commentary for Matthew and Mark's accounts below.
* "generation" -"Meaning 'this race' i.e. the Jews shall not cease from being a distinct people, till all the counsels of God relative to them and the Gentiles be fulfilled. Some translate the Greek word here as "generation", meaning the persons who were then living, that they should not die before these signs, etc., took place: but though this was true, as to the calamities that fell upon the Jews, and the destruction of their government, temple, etc., yet as our Lord mentions Jerusalem's continuing to be under the power of the Gentiles till the fullness of the Gentiles should come in, i.e. till all the nations of the world should receive the Gospel of Christ, after which the Jews themselves should be converted unto God, Romans 11:25, etc., I think it more proper not to restrain its meaning to the few years which preceded the destruction of Jerusalem; but to understand it of the care taken by Divine providence to preserve them as a distinct people, and yet to keep them out of their own land, and from their temple service. (See Adam Clarke's note on Mark 13:30 below). But still it is literally true in reference to the destruction of Jerusalem. John probably lived to see these things come to pass; compare Matthew 16:28, with John 21:22; and there were some rabbins alive at the time when Christ spoke these words who lived till the city was destroyed, viz. Rabban Simeon, who perished with the city; R. Jochanan ben Zaccai, who outlived it; R. Zadoch, R. Ismael, and others. See Lightfoot. (Adam Clarke's Commentary -Matthew 24:23)
"this generation" -"Meaning 'This very race of men'. It is certain that this word has two meanings in the Scriptures; that given in the text, and that just noted ('this very race of men' meaning the Jews). Generation signifies a period of a certain number of years, sometimes more, sometimes less. In Deuteronomy 1:35; 2:14, Moses uses the word to point out a term of thirty-eight years, which was precisely the number in the present case; for Jerusalem was destroyed about thirty-eight years after our Lord delivered this prediction. But as there are other events in this chapter, which certainly look beyond the destruction of Jerusalem, and which were to take place before the Jews should cease to be a distinct people, I should therefore prefer the translation given above. (Adam Clarke's Commentary -Mark 13:30)
For Luke's gospel Adam Clarke states it means "this race of men", and then refers his reader to his comments on Matthew and Mark (above).
* "this generation" -"There are several notions men have of that term, 'this generation', some by it understanding mankind; others, the generation of Christians; others, the whole generation of the Jews: but doubtless our Saviour mean's the set of men that were at that time in the world: those who were at that time living should not all die until all these things shall be fulfilled, all that he had spoken with reference to the destruction of Jerusalem; and indeed the most of those signs which our Saviour gave, were signs common both to the destruction of Jerusalem and the last judgment, abating only Christ's personal coming in the clouds with power and glory. So that, considering that the destruction of Jerusalem was within less than forty years after our Saviour's speaking these words, so many as lived to the expiration of that number of years must see the far greater part of these things actually fulfilled, as signs of the destruction of Jerusalem; and fulfilling, as signs of the end of the world. (Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible)
* "I include the whole of verses 25-36 into one view, and in addition to what hath been already observed upon the subject, in the former Evangelists, I have only to guard the Reader against making unscriptural and improper application, as if those things referred to the last day of Christ's final coming to judgment. To correct this, the Lord declared, that, the generation then present should not be all dead, until the events he foretold were come to pass: Similar to our Lord's expression, Matt. 16:28. And this was literally the case; for John, the beloved Apostle, outlived it; and numbers besides there must have been of those who were little children at the time our Lord so prophesied." (Poor Man's Commentary - Volume 1: Matthew to John)
* When You See.
I researched and pondered these five verses throughout the day and many times in the past. I had already written comments for Matthew and Mark on Jesus' teachings on these five verses in the Olivet Discourse several years ago. The first conclusion I have is that I need more study, prayer, and inspiration from the Holy Spirit. The second conclusion of these five simple verses is that they generate several conjectures among scholars.
Luke states that Jesus started this section with a parable and a short one at that (29a). The point of the "Parable of the Sprouting Fig Tree", all admit, is that Jesus is stating his just-stated prophecies are the signs that Jerusalem and the nation of Israel are about to end (70 A.D.) and the kingdom of God will be on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus gave them what they had asked for (7). Again, Jesus says the prophesied events will be how we "know that the kingdom of God is near" (31).
The differing interpretations come with Jesus saying "this generation" in verse 32. The Greek word here can also be translated "this race," meaning the Jews he and the disciples were looking at while on the Mount of Olives that evening. Some say that Jesus is saying that though the temple will be destroyed and the nation end, the Jews will not "pass away". Jesus had said in verse 24 that many Jews will fall by the sword, and those who remain alive will be taken as prisoners to all the nations while the Gentiles trample on Jerusalem.
An interesting thought is that both opinions appear to be right. Some of the apostles did experience almost everything Jesus had just said. And looking at Daniel, Revelation, and other passages in the Bible, these prophecies will be fulfilled at the end of this age. So, these verses are relevant to me now. Therefore, I need more study, prayer, and inspiration from the Holy Spirit so I am not surprised when they are being fulfilled again.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 21:29-33.
>What should be the attitude of God's people when they are aware of the imminence of the coming kingdom?
* Luke 21:34-38 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.
35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.
36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,
38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple."
* Mathew 24:32-35 and Mark 13:28-31 is also the Parable of the Fig Tree. However, neither includes Jesus warning, "Be careful..." as Luke does in verses 34-36. However, both Matthew 24:36-44 and Mark 13:32-36 include Jesus sayings about the day and the hour are known only by the Father which Luke does not include. Matthew uniquely includes the short Parable of the Faithful and Wise Servant in Matthew 24:45-51.
* "Be careful" -I take the Luke 21:34 to be a good exposition of the term watch, Luke 21:36. Avoid sin industriously, in a prospect of my coming to judgment: for sin is compared to sleep, Romans 13:11; Ephesians 5:14; and as he that watcheth doth not only wake, but setteth himself designedly to forbear sleep, in order to some end; so he who keepeth the spiritual watch must set himself designedly to avoid sin, upon a prospect of Christ's coming, and the uncertainty of it. Particularly he cautions his disciples against luxury and worldly mindedness. The first he expresses under the notions of gluttony and drunkenness, which are two eminent species of it.
The latter, under the notion of the cares of this life; not necessary and provident cares, but superfluous and distracting cares. These things he presseth them to avoid, lest they should be surprised by Christ's coming, as he tells them the most of the world would be.
He further exhorteth them to pray always; the sense of which precept we showed largely in our notes on Luke 18:1.
He further presseth both these duties in those words, That ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass; those that should come to pass at or before the destruction of Jerusalem, or afterward; and to stand before the Son of man, that is, in the last judgment; for, The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous, Psalms 1:5. (Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible)
* "For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth." -No exceptions. Both believer and none believer.
* Verses 37 and 38 are commentary by Luke that neither Matthew, Mark and John include.
>What kind of preparation do we have to make so that we may not only escape all the calamities but also be ready to stand before the Son of Man joyfully?
* Careful Hearts.
Three destructive behaviors for Christians are dissipation, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life (34). They are a weight on a Christian's heart, pulling us away from active love of Christ. They take the place of laboring for the kingdom of God and Jesus. They are the rocks, thorns, and thistles in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23; Mark 4:3-8, 13-25)
Dissipation is wasteful expenditure and consumption of time, strength, gifts of the Spirit, wealth, and other resources God has given us. Dissipation is dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure for self-gratification. It is living for oneself instead of helping others in their walk with Christ. Each day, Jesus was teaching in the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives to talk to his disciples and God. Everybody serves somebody. What do your actions prove about who you serve?
Drunkenness is more than tipping back the alcohol bottle and popping a pill to shut down. Drunkenness is anything that causes the loss of control of one's mental state and body. Ephesians 5:15-20 Apostle Paul wrote, "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Anxieties of life can choke the life out of any active saint. An anxiety can be in the form of cares, worries, distress, uneasiness, and perturbations. Worrying about how to pay the bill, aging, where to live and work, marrying and having children, the well-being of children, and the health of self or a loved one can keep the seed of Jesus' word from growing in the heart till it produces fruit.
Why take command of dissipation, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life? Jesus told his disciples, "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. (36)" A wasted life, a wasted mind, and a wasted heart will not be a justification of opportunities lost at the Bema Seat of Christ. The time for the Gentile church's judgement is at hand (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Please Christ, not self.
