The Widow’s Offering

(Mark 12:41-44)

1Now Jesusa looked up and saw rich people dropping their gifts into the offering box.b 2Then he saw a destitute widow drop in two small copper coins.c 3He said, “I tell you with certainty, this destitute widow has dropped in more than all of them, 4because all the others contributed to the offeringd out of their surplus, but she, in her poverty, dropped in everything she had to live on.”

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple

(Matthew 24:1-2; Mark 13:1-2)

5Now while some people were talking about the Temple—how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God—he said, 6“As for these things that you see, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another that won’t be knocked down.”

The Coming Wars and Revolutions

(Matthew 24:3-8; Mark 13:3-8)

7Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things take place, and what will be the sign that these things are about to take place?”

8He said, “Be careful that you are not deceived, because many will come in my name and say, ‘I AM’ and, ‘The time has come.’ Don’t follow them. 9When you hear of wars and revolutions, never be alarmed, because these sort of things must take place first, but the end won’t come right away.”

10Then he went on to say to them, “Nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places, and there will be fearful events and awful signs from heaven.”

Future Persecutions

(Matthew 10:16-25; Matthew 24:9-14; Mark 13:9-13)

12“But before all these things take place, peoplee will arrest you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13It will give you an opportunity to testify. 14So purpose in your hearts not to prepare your defense ahead of time, 15because I will give you the ability to speak, along with wisdom, that none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated continuously by everyone because of my name. 18And yet not a hair on your head will be lost. 19By your endurance you will protect your lives.”

Signs of the End

(Matthew 24:15-21; Mark 13:14-19)

20“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then understand that its devastation is approaching. 21Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in the countryside must not go into it, 22because these are the days of vengeance when all that is written will be fulfilled.

23“How terrible it will be for those women who are pregnant or who are nursing babies in those days!—because there will be great distress in the landf and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the edge of the sword and be carried off as captives among all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the unbelieversg until the times of the unbelieversh are fulfilled.”

The Coming of the Son of Man

(Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27)

25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and there will be distress on earth among the nations that are confused by the roaring of the sea and its waves. 26People will faint from fear and apprehension because of the things that are to come on the inhabited world, because the powers of heaven will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’i with power and great glory.

28“Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is approaching.”

The Lesson from the Fig Tree

(Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31)

29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30As soon as they produce leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31In the same way, when you see these things taking place, you will know that the kingdom of God is near. 32I tell all of youj with certainty, this generation won’t disappear until all these things take place. 33Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words won’t ever disappear.”

Be Alert

34“Constantly be on your guard so that your hearts will not be loaded down with self-indulgence, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, or that day will take you by surprise 35like a trap, because it will come on everyone who lives on the face of the earth. 36So be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to take your stand in the presence of the Son of Man.”

37Now during the day Jesusk would teach in the Temple, but when evening came he would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives. 38And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the Temple.