Luke 21

Luke 21

The big picture

Luke 21 opens in verse 1 with “And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 19 with “In your patience possess ye your souls.”, and closes in verse 38 with “And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.” Repeated or prominent terms include earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Luke · King James Version · 38

Luke 21:1-8

1–8: He looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the…

Luke 21:1–8 opens with “And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.” and reaches “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts, with particular weight carried by casting, gifts, poor.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.” By verse 4, the text has turned to “For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her…” It lands on “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 4 verses with a speech marker, 1 question, 2 stated contrasts, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

What Jesus says and does, how each person responds, and how the scene advances toward the cross and resurrection give the passage its shape. Words such as casting, gifts, poor, widow, abundance, adorned tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Christ, God, Master, Take. Its number language includes two, one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 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…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: casting, gifts, poor, widow, abundance, adorned

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Luke 21:1

    “And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.” The line’s distinctive content terms include casting, gifts, looked. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

  2. Luke 21:2

    “And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  3. Luke 21:3

    “And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:” The line’s distinctive content terms include poor, truth, widow. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. Luke 21:4

    “For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  5. Luke 21:5

    “And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,” The line’s distinctive content terms include adorned, gifts, goodly. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. Luke 21:6

    “As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  7. Luke 21:7

    “And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  8. Luke 21:8

    “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Luke 21:1-8

King James Version

1And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

2And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

4For 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.

5And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

6As 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.

7And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Luke 21:9-16

9–16: When ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these…

Luke 21:9–16 opens with “But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first…” and reaches “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts, with particular weight carried by kingdom, nation, able.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first…” By verse 12, the text has turned to “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you…” It lands on “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 2 stated contrasts. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

What Jesus says and does, how each person responds, and how the scene advances toward the cross and resurrection give the passage its shape. Words such as kingdom, nation, able, adversaries, answer, betrayed tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Nation, Settle. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 12: “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: kingdom, nation, able, adversaries, answer, betrayed

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Luke 21:9

    “But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. Luke 21:10

    “Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Luke 21:11

    “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. Luke 21:12

    “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. Luke 21:13

    “And it shall turn to you for a testimony.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  6. Luke 21:14

    “Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  7. Luke 21:15

    “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  8. Luke 21:16

    “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Luke 21:9-16

King James Version

9But 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.

10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

12But 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.

13And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

16And 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.

Luke 21:17-24

17–24: Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

Luke 21:17–24 opens with “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” and reaches “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts, with particular weight carried by days, fulfilled, Gentiles.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” By verse 20, the text has turned to “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof…” It lands on “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 stated contrasts. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

What Jesus says and does, how each person responds, and how the scene advances toward the cross and resurrection give the passage its shape. Words such as days, fulfilled, Gentiles, Jerusalem, armies, captive tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Gentiles, Jerusalem, Jud. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 21: “Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: days, fulfilled, Gentiles, Jerusalem, armies, captive

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Luke 21:17

    “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. Luke 21:18

    “But there shall not an hair of your head perish.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Luke 21:19

    “In your patience possess ye your souls.” The line’s distinctive content terms include patience, possess, souls. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. Luke 21:20

    “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. Luke 21:21

    “Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let…” Naming Jud keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. Luke 21:22

    “For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  7. Luke 21:23

    “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 command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  8. Luke 21:24

    “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Luke 21:17-24

King James Version

17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

18But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

19In your patience possess ye your souls.

20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

21Then let them which are in Judæa 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.

22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23But 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.

24And 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.

Luke 21:25-32

25–32: There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and…

Luke 21:25–32 opens with “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth…” and reaches “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts, with particular weight carried by nigh, coming, earth.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth…” By verse 28, the text has turned to “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your…” It lands on “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

What Jesus says and does, how each person responds, and how the scene advances toward the cross and resurrection give the passage its shape. Words such as nigh, coming, earth, hand, know, begin tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Men, Son, Verily. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 28: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: nigh, coming, earth, hand, know, begin

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Luke 21:25

    “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. Luke 21:26

    “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Luke 21:27

    “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  4. Luke 21:28

    “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” The line’s distinctive content terms include begin, draweth, heads. Its relationship to verses 27 and 29 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Luke 21:29

    “And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;” The line’s distinctive content terms include parable, spake, tree. Its relationship to verses 28 and 30 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. Luke 21:30

    “When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.” The line’s distinctive content terms include hand, know, nigh. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. Luke 21:31

    “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  8. Luke 21:32

    “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Luke 21:25-32

King James Version

25And 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;

26Men’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.

27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Luke 21:33-38

33–38: Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 21:33–38 opens with “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” and reaches “And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts, with particular weight carried by earth, mount, temple.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” By verse 35, the text has turned to “For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” It lands on “And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 1 stated contrast. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

What Jesus says and does, how each person responds, and how the scene advances toward the cross and resurrection give the passage its shape. Words such as earth, mount, temple, time, abode, accounted tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Heaven, Olives, Son, Watch. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 35: “For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: earth, mount, temple, time, abode, accounted

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Luke 21:33

    “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  2. Luke 21:34

    “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cares, drunkenness, hearts. Its relationship to verses 33 and 35 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. Luke 21:35

    “For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  4. Luke 21:36

    “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. Luke 21:37

    “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…” Naming Olives keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. Luke 21:38

    “And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include early, hear, morning. Its relationship to verses 37 shows what work it does in this passage.

Luke 21:33-38

King James Version

33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34And 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.

35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36Watch 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.

37And 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.

38And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

Questions to keep in mind while reading

  1. Watch what Jesus says and does, and how people respond.
  2. Trace kingdom, discipleship, opposition, cross, and resurrection in the evangelist’s own sequence.
  3. Let later doctrine clarify the scene without erasing its immediate setting.

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.

Questions beneath the surface

  1. What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Luke 21?
  2. Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
  3. What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
  4. Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?

Questions for serious personal contemplation

These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.

Observe without rushing

  1. What part of Luke 21 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?

  2. Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?

  3. Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Luke 21 develops its own movement around earth, nigh, days, fulfilled, hearts?

  4. What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?

Examine your inner life honestly

  1. Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?

  2. What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?

  3. Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?

  4. If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?

Respond with wisdom and courage

  1. What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?

  2. How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?

  3. What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?

  4. What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?