# Luke 21 đ: Watch and Stand Firm
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đ Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#đ§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#âď¸ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#đ Key Observations / đ Life Application]]
> [[#đŹ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#âď¸ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đ Related Passages]]
> [[#đ Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#đ Internal Notes]]
## đ Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
#### The Widowâs Offering
**Principle**: It is the heart that matters.
[[#Verse 01.]] Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box.Â
[[#Verse 02.]]Â He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.Â
[[#Verse 03.]] He said, âI tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.Â
[[#Verse 04.]] For they all offered their gifts out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on.â
[[#Verse 05.]] Now while some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and offerings, Jesus said,
#### The Signs of the End of the Age
**Principle**: Bad times will come.
[[#Verse 05]] Now while some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and offerings, Jesus said,
[[#Verse 06.]] âAs for these things that you are gazing at, the days will come when not one stone will be left on another. All will be torn down!â
[[#Verse 07.]] So they asked him, âTeacher, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that these things are about to take place?âÂ
[[#Verse 08.]] He said, âWatch out that you are not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, âI am he,â and, âThe time is near.â Do not follow them!Â
[[#Verse 09.]] And when you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be afraid. For these things must happen first, but the end will not come at once.â
#### Persecution of Disciples
**Principle**: Trust God that bad times do not surprise God.
[[#Verse 10.]]Â Then he said to them, âNation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
[[#Verse 11.]] There will be great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.Â
[[#Verse 12.]] But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.Â
[[#Verse 13.]]Â This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses.Â
[[#Verse 14.]] Therefore be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense.Â
[[#Verse 15.]] For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.Â
[[#Verse 16.]] You will be betrayed even by parents,brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will have some of you put to death.Â
[[#Verse 17.]]Â You will be hated by everyone because of my name.
[[#Verse 18.]] Yet not a hair of your head will perish.Â
[[#Verse 19.]] By your endurance you will gain your lives.
#### The Desolation of Jerusalem
**Principle**: There are seasons of suffering.
[[#Verse 20.]] âBut when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.Â
[[#Verse 21.]] Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those who are inside the city must depart. Those who are out in the country must not enter it,Â
[[#Verse 22.]] because these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.Â
[[#Verse 23.]] Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people.Â
[[#Verse 24.]] They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led away as captives among all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
#### The Arrival of the Son of Man
**Principle**: Jesus is faithful, even when suffering comes.
[[#Verse 25.]] âAnd there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth nations will be in distress, anxious over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves.Â
[[#Verse 26.]] People will be fainting from fear and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for _the powers of the heavens will be shaken_.Â
[[#Verse 27.]] Then they will see _the Son of Man_ _arriving_ _in a cloud_ with power and great glory.Â
[[#Verse 28.]] But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.â
#### The Parable of the Fig Tree
**Principle**: Notice the signs of the times.
[[#Verse 29.]] Then he told them a parable: âLook at the fig tree and all the other trees.Â
[[#Verse 30.]] When they sprout leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near.Â
[[#Verse 31.]] So also you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.Â
[[#Verse 32.]] I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.Â
[[#Verse 33.]]Â Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
#### Be Ready!
**Principle**: Stay on guard- don't let sin in.
[[#Verse 34.]] âBut be on your guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap.Â
[[#Verse 35.]] For it will overtakeall who live on the face of the whole earth.Â
[[#Verse 36.]] But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that musthappen, and to stand before the Son of Man.â
[[#Verse 37.]] So every day Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, but at night he went and stayed on the Mount of Olives.Â
[[#Verse 38.]] And all the people came to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts.
## đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
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###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
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###### Verse 13.
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###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
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###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
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###### Verse 24.
###### Verse 25.
###### Verse 26.
###### Verse 27.
###### Verse 28.
###### Verse 29.
###### Verse 30.
###### Verse 31.
###### Verse 32.
###### Verse 33.
###### Verse 34.
###### Verse 35.
###### Verse 36.
###### Verse 37.
###### Verse 38.
## đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. According to later Jewish tradition, the temple treasury (21:1) included thirteen trumpet-shaped offering chests in the Court of the Women.
2. The widow's two small copper coins (21:2) were the smallest coins in circulation.
3. The temple was adorned with beautiful stones and offerings (21:5). Josephus describes it gleaming with white stone and gold.
4. Luke's account speaks plainly of Jerusalem surrounded by armies (21:20), which happened when Rome besieged the city in AD 70.
5. Josephus reports that over a million people died during the siege of Jerusalem and nearly a hundred thousand were taken captive.
6. "The times of the Gentiles" (21:24) refers to a period when Jerusalem would be under Gentile control.
7. Stephen experienced Jesus' promise of wisdom opponents could not resist (21:15; Acts 6:10).
8. Famines and earthquakes (21:11) were recorded during the first century, including a severe famine under Emperor Claudius (Acts 11:28).
9. During His last week, Jesus taught in the temple by day and spent the nights on the Mount of Olives (21:37).
10. People came to the temple early in the morning to hear Him (21:38).
## đ§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## âď¸ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the Son of Man who will come in a cloud with power and great glory (21:27). His words will never pass away (21:33), and when these things begin, His people can lift their heads because redemption is near (21:28; Titus 2:13).
## đ Key Observations / đ Life Application
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đŹ Discussion Questions
1. Jesus said the poor widow gave more than all the others (21:3-4). What does that teach about how God measures our gifts?
2. Jesus promised to give His followers words and wisdom their opponents could not resist (21:15). Where do you need that kind of courage?
3. Jesus warned that hearts can be weighed down by partying, drunkenness, and the worries of life (21:34). Which of these most threatens to dull your readiness?
## âď¸ Key Verses to Remember
- đ verses 3-4: The poor widow gave more than all the others because she gave all she had.
- đ verse 19: By standing firm you will gain your lives.
- đ verse 28: When these things begin, stand up and lift your heads, because redemption is near.
- đ verse 33: Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus' words will never pass away.
## đ Related Passages
- đ [[2 Corinthians 08#Verse 12.|2 Corinthians 8:12]] - Giving from what one has.
- đ [[Micah 03#Verse 12.|Micah 3:12]] - Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins.
- đ [[1 John 04#Verse 01.|1 John 4:1]] - Test the spirits.
- đ [[Acts 06#Verse 10.|Acts 6:10]] - No one could resist Stephen's wisdom.
- đ [[Daniel 07#Verse 13.|Daniel 7:13]] - The Son of Man on the clouds.
- đ [[Isaiah 40#Verse 08.|Isaiah 40:8]] - The word of God stands forever.
- đ [[1 Thessalonians 05#Verse 02.|1 Thessalonians 5:2-6]] - Stay awake and sober.
## đ Devotional Reflection
đ SOAP: [[Luke 21 - SOAP|Itâs the Heart, Not the Amount]]
## đ Internal Notes