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Luke 21-22

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Luke 21

1¶ And 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:›

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 living that she had.›

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

6[As 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.›

9‹But 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:›

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

12‹But 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.›

13‹And it shall turn to you for a testimony.›

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

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

16‹And 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.›

17‹And ye shall be hated of all› [men] ‹for my name's sake.›

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

19‹In your patience possess ye your souls.›

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

21‹Then let them which are in Judaea 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.›

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

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 land, and wrath upon this people.›

24‹And 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.›

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 perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;›

26‹Men'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.›

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

34‹And 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.›

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

36‹Watch 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.

Luke 22

1¶ Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

2And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

3Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

4And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

5And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

6And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

7¶ Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

8And he sent Peter and John, saying, ‹Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.›

9And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

10And he said unto them, ‹Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.›

11‹And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?›

12‹And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.›

13And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

15And he said unto them, ‹With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:›

16‹For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.›

17And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‹Take this, and divide› [it] ‹among yourselves:›

18‹For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.›

19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, ‹This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.›

20Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, ‹This cup› [is] ‹the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.›

21¶ ‹But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me› [is] ‹with me on the table.›

22‹And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!›

23And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

24And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

25And he said unto them, ‹The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.›

26‹But ye› [shall] ‹not› [be] ‹so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.›

27‹For whether› [is] ‹greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth?› [is] ‹not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.›

28‹Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.›

29‹And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;›

30‹That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.›

31And the Lord said, ‹Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired› [to have] ‹you, that he may sift› [you] ‹as wheat:›

32‹But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.›

33And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

34And he said, ‹I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.›

35And he said unto them, ‹When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?› And they said, Nothing.

36Then said he unto them, ‹But now, he that hath a purse, let him take› [it], ‹and likewise› [his] ‹scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.›

37‹For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.›

38And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords. And he said unto them, ‹It is enough.›

39¶ And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, ‹Pray that ye enter not into temptation.›

41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42Saying, ‹Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.›

43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

45And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

46And said unto them, ‹Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.›

47¶ And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

48But Jesus said unto him, ‹Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?›

49When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

50And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

51And Jesus answered and said, ‹Suffer ye thus far.› And he touched his ear, and healed him.

52Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, ‹Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?›

53‹When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.›

54¶ Then took they him, and led [him], and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

55And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

56But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

57And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

58And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

59And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this [fellow] also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

60And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, ‹Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.›

62And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

63¶ And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote [him].

64And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?

65And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

66And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

67Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, ‹If I tell you, ye will not believe:›

68‹And if I also ask› [you], ‹ye will not answer me, nor let› [me] ‹go›.

69‹Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.›

70Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, ‹Ye say that I am.›

71And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.

Luke 21:1-4 Verses 1-4

From the offering of this poor widow, learn that what we rightly give for the relief of the poor, and the support of God's worship, is given unto God; and our Saviour sees with pleasure whatever we have in our hearts to give for the relief of his members, or for his service. Blessed Lord! the poorest of thy servants have two mites, they have a soul and a body; persuade and enable us to offer both unto thee; how happy shall we be in thine accepting of them!

Luke 21:5-28 Verses 5-28

With much curiosity those about Christ ask as to the time when the great desolation should be. He answers with clearness and fulness, as far as was necessary to teach them their duty; for all knowledge is desirable as far as it is in order to practice. Though spiritual judgements are the most common in gospel times, yet God makes use of temporal judgments also. Christ tells them what hard things they should suffer for his name's sake, and encourages them to bear up under their trials, and to go on in their work, notwithstanding the opposition they would meet with. God will stand by you, and own you, and assist you. This was remarkably fulfilled after the pouring out of the Spirit, by whom Christ gave his disciples wisdom and utterance. Though we may be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot be losers by him, in the end. It is our duty and interest at all times, especially in perilous, trying times, to secure the safety of our own souls. It is by Christian patience we keep possession of our own souls, and keep out all those impressions which would put us out of temper. We may view the prophecy before us much as those Old Testament prophecies, which, together with their great object, embrace, or glance at some nearer object of importance to the church. Having given an idea of the times for about thirty-eight years next to come, Christ shows what all those things would end in, namely, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the utter dispersion of the Jewish nation; which would be a type and figure of Christ's second coming. The scattered Jews around us preach the truth of Christianity; and prove, that though heaven and earth shall pass away, the words of Jesus shall not pass away. They also remind us to pray for those times when neither the real, nor the spiritual Jerusalem, shall any longer be trodden down by the Gentiles, and when both Jews and Gentiles shall be turned to the Lord. When Christ came to destroy the Jews, he came to redeem the Christians that were persecuted and oppressed by them; and then had the churches rest. When he comes to judge the world, he will redeem all that are his from their troubles. So fully did the Divine judgements come upon the Jews, that their city is set as an example before us, to show that sins will not pass unpunished; and that the terrors of the Lord, and his threatenings against impenitent sinners, will all come to pass, even as his word was true, and his wrath great upon Jerusalem.

Luke 21:29-38 Verses 29-38

Christ tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times, which they might judge by. He charges them to look upon the ruin of the Jewish nation as near. Yet this race and family of Abraham shall not be rooted out; it shall survive as a nation, and be found as prophesied, when the Son of man shall be revealed. He cautions them against being secure and sensual. This command is given to all Christ's disciples, Take heed to yourselves, that ye be not overpowered by temptations, nor betrayed by your own corruptions. We cannot be safe, if we are carnally secure. Our danger is, lest the day of death and of judgment should come upon us when we are not prepared. Lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be the furthest from our thoughts, which ought to be nearest our hearts. For so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven. It will be a terror and a destruction to them. Here see what should be our aim, that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things; that when the judgements of God are abroad, we may not be in the common calamity, or it may not be that to us which it is to others. Do you ask how you may be found worthy to stand before Christ at that day? Those who never yet sought Christ, let them now go unto him; those who never yet were humbled for their sins, let them now begin; those who have already begun, let them go forward and be kept humbled. Watch therefore, and pray always. Watch against sin; watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world, who live a life of prayer in this world. May we begin, employ, and conclude each day attending to Christ's word, obeying his precepts, and following his example, that whenever he comes we may be found watching.

Luke 22:1-6 Verses 1-6

Christ knew all men, and had wise and holy ends in taking Judas to be a disciple. How he who knew Christ so well, came to betray him, we are here told; Satan entered into Judas. It is hard to say whether more mischief is done to Christ's kingdom, by the power of its open enemies, or by the treachery of its pretended friends; but without the latter, its enemies could not do so much evil as they do.

Luke 22:7-18 Verses 7-18

Christ kept the ordinances of the law, particularly that of the passover, to teach us to observe his gospel institutions, and most of all that of the Lord's supper. Those who go upon Christ's word, need not fear disappointment. According to the orders given them, the disciples got all ready for the passover. Jesus bids this passover welcome. He desired it, though he knew his sufferings would follow, because it was in order to his Father's glory and man's redemption. He takes his leave of all passovers, signifying thereby his doing away all the ordinances of the ceremonial law, of which the passover was one of the earliest and chief. That type was laid aside, because now in the kingdom of God the substance was come.

Luke 22:19-20 Verses 19, 20

The Lord's supper is a sign or memorial of Christ already come, who by dying delivered us; his death is in special manner set before us in that ordinance, by which we are reminded of it. The breaking of Christ's body as a sacrifice for us, is therein brought to our remembrance by the breaking of bread. Nothing can be more nourishing and satisfying to the soul, than the doctrine of Christ's making atonement for sin, and the assurance of an interest in that atonement. Therefore we do this in rememberance of what He did for us, when he died for us; and for a memorial of what we do, in joining ourselves to him in an everlasting covenant. The shedding of Christ's blood, by which the atonement was made, is represented by the wine in the cup.

Luke 22:21-38 Verses 21-38

How unbecoming is the worldly ambition of being the greatest, to the character of a follower of Jesus, who took upon him the form of a servant, and humbled himself to the death of the cross! In the way to eternal happiness, we must expect to be assaulted and sifted by Satan. If he cannot destroy, he will try to disgrace or distress us. Nothing more certainly forebodes a fall, in a professed follower of Christ, than self-confidence, with disregard to warnings, and contempt of danger. Unless we watch and pray always, we may be drawn in the course of the day into those sins which we were in the morning most resolved against. If believers were left to themselves, they would fall; but they are kept by the power of God, and the prayer of Christ. Our Lord gave notice of a very great change of circumstances now approaching. The disciples must not expect that their friends would be kind to them as they had been. Therefore, he that has a purse, let him take it, for he may need it. They must now expect that their enemies would be more fierce than they had been, and they would need weapons. At the time the apostles understood Christ to mean real weapons, but he spake only of the weapons of the spiritual warfare. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the disciples of Christ must furnish themselves.

Luke 22:39-46 Verses 39-46

Every description which the evangelists give of the state of mind in which our Lord entered upon this conflict, proves the tremendous nature of the assault, and the perfect foreknowledge of its terrors possessed by the meek and lowly Jesus. Here are three things not in the other evangelists. 1. When Christ was in his agony, there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. It was a part of his humiliation that he was thus strengthened by a ministering spirit. 2. Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. Prayer, though never out of season, is in a special manner seasonable when we are in an agony. 3. In this agony his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down. This showed the travail of his soul. We should pray also to be enabled to resist unto the shedding of our blood, striving against sin, if ever called to it. When next you dwell in imagination upon the delights of some favourite sin, think of its effects as you behold them here! See its fearful effects in the garden of Gethsemane, and desire, by the help of God, deeply to hate and to forsake that enemy, to ransom sinners from whom the Redeemer prayed, agonized, and bled.

Luke 22:47-53 Verses 47-53

Nothing can be a greater affront or grief to the Lord Jesus, than to be betrayed by those who profess to be his followers, and say that they love him. Many instances there are, of Christ's being betrayed by those who, under the form of godliness, fight against the power of it. Jesus here gave an illustrious example of his own rule of doing good to those that hate us, as afterwards he did of praying for those that despitefully use us. Corrupt nature warps our conduct to extremes; we should seek for the Lord's direction before we act in difficult circumstances. Christ was willing to wait for his triumphs till his warfare was accomplished, and we must be so too. But the hour and the power of darkness were short, and such the triumphs of the wicked always will be.

Luke 22:54-62 Verses 54-62

Peter's fall was his denying that he knew Christ, and was his disciple; disowning him because of distress and danger. He that has once told a lie, is strongly tempted to persist: the beginning of that sin, like strife, is as the letting forth of water. The Lord turned and looked upon Peter. 1. It was a convincing look. Jesus turned and looked upon him, as if he should say, Dost thou not know me, Peter? 2. It was a chiding look. Let us think with what a rebuking countenance Christ may justly look upon us when we have sinned. 3. It was an expostulating look. Thou who wast the most forward to confess me to be the Son of God, and didst solemnly promise thou wouldest never disown me! 4. It was a compassionate look. Peter, how art thou fallen and undone if I do not help thee! 5. It was a directing look, to go and bethink himself. 6. It was a significant look; it signified the conveying of grace to Peter's heart, to enable him to repent. The grace of God works in and by the word of God, brings that to mind, and sets that home upon the conscience, and so gives the soul the happy turn. Christ looked upon the chief priests, and made no impression upon them as he did on Peter. It was not the mere look from Christ, but the Divine grace with it, that restored Peter.

Luke 22:63-71 Verses 63-71

Those that condemned Jesus for a blasphemer, were the vilest blasphemers. He referred them to his second coming, for the full proof of his being the Christ, to their confusion, since they would not admit the proof of it to their conviction. He owns himself to be the Son of God, though he knew he should suffer for it. Upon this they ground his condemnation. Their eyes being blinded, they rush on. Let us meditate on this amazing transaction, and consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.

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Key Words and Topics

These study connections are drawn from the internal BSB concordance and topical index imported into Daily Bread Intake.

Related Topics

Alcoholism Luke 21:34

But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.

Ambition: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Luke 22:24, 26

A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.

Apostasy: Judas Luke 22:3–6, 47, 48

Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money.

Apostles: Commission of Luke 22:28–30

You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials. / And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me, / so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Arrest of Jesus Luke 22:54

Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance.

Astronomy: Sidereal Phenomena Luke 21:25

There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves.

Availability Luke 22:36

“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.

Avenging Angels Luke 22:43

Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.

Being Betrayed Luke 21:16

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.

Being Ready Luke 21:28

When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

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Bible Dictionary

Related Dictionary Terms

Explore people, places, themes, and biblical terms connected to this passage.

Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33; Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43) = "kingdom of… High priest Aaron was the first who was solemnly set apart to… Redemption The purchase back of something that had been lost, by… Temptation (1.) Trial; a being put to the test. Thus God… Son of God The plural, "sons of God," is used (Gen. 6:2, 4)… Son of man (1.) Denotes mankind generally, with special reference to their weakness… Generation Gen. 2:4, "These are the generations," means the "history." 5:1,… Testimony (1.) Witness or evidence (2 Thess. 1:10). (2.) The Scriptures,… Scripture Invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of… Jerusalem Called also Salem, Ariel, Jebus, the "city of God," the… Passover The name given to the chief of the three great… Iscariot (See [297]JUDAS.) Treasury (Matt. 27:6; Mark 12:41; John 8:20). It does not appear… Galilean An inhabitant or native of Galilee. This word was used… Covenant A contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old… Gentiles (Heb., usually in plural, goyim), meaning in general all nations… Darkness The plague (the ninth) of darkness in Egypt (Ex. 10:21)… Parable (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the…