21:1,2Jesus was in the area of the Temple called the Court of Women. In this area were seven boxes in which worshipers could deposit their Tempie tax and six boxes for freewili offerings, like the one this woman gave. This widow was not only poor but had few resources for making money. Her small gift was a sacrifice, but she gave it willingly.
Life Application Study BibleLukeChapter 21
Luke 21
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1732, 1733, 1734
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21Luke 21
1While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.* 3“T tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Jesus Tells about the Future (201/Matthew 24:1-25; Mark 13:1-23) 5Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 7"Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?” 8He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘T am the Messiah,’* and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won't follow immediately.” 10Then he added, 11Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. "There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven. 12"But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.* 14So don't worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, "for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.* 18But not a hair of your héad will perish! 19By standing firm, you will win your souls. 20“And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. 21Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city. 22For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people. 24They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end. Jesus Tells about His Return (202/Matthew 24:26-35; Mark 13:24-31) 25"And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27Then everyone will see the Son of Man* coming on a cloud with power and great glory.* 28So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” 29Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. 30When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. 31In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. 22I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. $Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. Jesus Tells about Remaining Watchful (203/Matthew 24:36-51; Mark 13:32-37) 34“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35tike a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” 37Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him. 21:27a “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
C. DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS, THE SAVIOR (22:1—24:53)
The perfect man was a high ideal in Greek culture. Written with Greeks in mind, Luke’s Gospel shows how Jesus was the perfect man given as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all people. Christ is the ideal human—the perfect model for us to follow. We must stand in awe of his character, which met humanity's highest ideals as well as God’s demand for an atonement for sin. He is, at one and the same time, our model and our Savior. Religious Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus (207/Matthew 26:1-5; Mark 14:1-2)
Textual footnotes
- testimony against them, 21:17 Greek on account of my name.
- 21:2 Greek two fepta [the smallest of Jewish coins).
- 21:8 Greek claiming, ‘fam.’ 21:13 Or This will be your
Life Application Notes 3 notes
21:1-4In contrast to the way most of us handle our money, this widow gave all she had to live on. When we consider ourselves generous in giving a smail percentage of our income to the LORD, we resemble those who gave “a tiny part of their surplus.” Here Jesus admired the woman’s generous and sacrificial giving. As believers, we should consider increasing our giving—whether money, time, or talents—to a point beyond mere convenience or comfort.
21:5,6The Temple the disciples were admiring was not Solomon’'s Temple—that had been destroyed by the Babylonians early in the sixth century B.C. This Temple had been built by Ezra after the return from exile later in the sixth century B.C., desecrated by the Seleucids in the second century B.C., reconsecrated by the
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21:27b See Dan 7:13.
many of the disciples were martyred. Rather he was saying that none of his followers would suffer spiritual or eternal loss. On earth, everyone will die, but believers in Jesus will be saved for eternal life. 21:24 The “period of the Gentiles” began with Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and the exile of the Jewish people. \srael was no longer an independent nation but was under the controi of Gentile rulers. In Jesus’ day, Israel was governed by the Roman Empire, and a Roman general would destroy the city in A.D. 70. Jesus was saying that the domination of God's people by his enemies would continue until God decided to end it. The “period of the Gentiles” refers not just to the repeated destructions of Jerusalem but also to the continuing and mounting persecution of God’s people until the end. 21:28 The picture of the coming persecutions and natural disasters is gloomy, but ultimately it is a cause not for worry but for great joy. As betievers see these events happening, they will know that the return of their Messiah is near, and they can took forward to his reign of justice and peace. Rather than being terrified by what is happening in our wortd, we should confidently await Christ’s return to bring justice and restoration to his people. 21:34-36 Jesus told the disciples to keep a constant watch for his return. Although nearly 2,000 years have passed since he spoke these words, their truth remains: Christ is coming again, and we need to watch and be spiritually fit. This means working faithfully at the tasks God has given us. Don't Jet your mind and spirit be dulled by careless living, drinking, or foolishly pursuing pleasure. Don't let the cares of this life weigh you down. Be ready to move at God's command. 21:36 Only days after telling the disciples to pray that they might escape persecution, Jesus himself asked God to spare him the agonies of the cross, if that was God’s will (22:41, 42). It is abnormal to want to suffer, but as Jesus’ followers, we must be willing to suffer if by doing so we can help build God’s Kingdom. We have
two wonderful promises to heip us as we suffer: God will always be with us (Matthew 28:20), and he will one day rescue us and give us eternal life (Revelation 21:1-4). Rr." ry
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They then were to prepare the meat for food. Peter and John had to buy and prepare the lamb as well as the unleavened bread, herbs, wine, and other ceremonial food. 22:10 Ordinarily women, not men, would go to the well and bring home the water. So this man with the water pitcher would have stood out in the crowd. 22:14-18 The Passover commemorated Israel’s escape from Egypt when the blood of a lamb painted on their doorframes had saved their firstborn sons from death. This event foreshadowed Jesus’ work on the cross. As the spotless Lamb of God, his biood would be spilled in order to save his people from the penalty of death brought by sin. 22:17, 20 Luke mentions two cups of wine, while Matthew and Mark mention only one. In the traditional Passover meal, wine is served four times. Christ spoke the words about his body and his blood when he offered the fourth and last cup. 22:17-20 Christians differ in their interpretation of the meaning of the commemoration of the LORD’s Supper. There are three main views: (1) The bread and wine actually become Christ’s body and blood; (2) the bread and wine remain unchanged, yet Christ is spiritually present by faith in and through them: (3) the bread and wine, which remain unchanged, are lasting memorials of Christ's sacrifice. No matter which view they favor, all Christians agree