📖 Luke — Chapter 21 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Luke 21:1 And he looked up, Rand saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
Luke 21:2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two Rmites.
Luke 21:3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in Rmore than they all:
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 living that she had.
Luke 21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
Luke 21:6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which Rthere shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Luke 21:7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and Rwhat sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
Luke 21:8 And he said, RTake 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 But Rwhen 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.
Luke 21:10 Then said he unto them, RNation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights Rand great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luke 21:12 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 Rfor my name’s sake.
Luke 21:13 RAnd it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Luke 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
Luke 21:15 For RI will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Luke 21:16 And Rye 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 And ye shall be hated of all men Rfor my name’s sake.
Luke 21:18 RBut there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luke 21:19 RIn your patience possess ye your souls.
Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luke 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea Rflee 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.
Luke 21:22 For these be Rthe days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luke 21:23 But Rwoe 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.
Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be Rled 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 And there shall be Rsigns 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;
Luke 21:26 Men’s Rhearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:27 And then shall they Rsee the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then Rlook up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; RBehold the fig tree, and all the trees;
Luke 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, Rwhen ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Luke 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Luke 21:33 RHeaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Luke 21:34 And Rtake 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.
Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that Rdwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luke 21:36 RWatch 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.
Luke 21:37 And in Rthe 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.
Luke 21:38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 21:1–19 — A widow’s offering and the temple warning redirect expectations
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus recognizes a poor widow’s costly offering, then foretells the temple’s destruction. Warnings about deception, conflict, persecution, and testimony call disciples to patient faithfulness rather than alarm or false certainty.
Key Truth: Value faithful devotion and endure without being deceived.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And he looked up, and saw the ____ men casting their gifts into the treasury.” (Luke 21:1)
Find it in Luke 21:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and …” (Luke 21:10)
Find it in Luke 21:10 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “In your ____ possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)
Find it in Luke 21:19 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 21:20–28 — Jerusalem’s distress and the Son of man’s coming are described
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus speaks of armies around Jerusalem, flight, distress, captivity, and the times of the Gentiles. Signs and the Son of man’s coming lead his hearers to look up as redemption draws near.
Key Truth: Read the warnings with sober attention and hope in God’s purpose.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And when ye shall see ____ compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is …” (Luke 21:20)
Find it in Luke 21:20 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And they shall ____ by the edge of the sword, and shall be led …” (Luke 21:24)
Find it in Luke 21:24 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “For ____ be the days of vengeance, that all things which are …” (Luke 21:22)
Find it in Luke 21:22 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 21:29–38 — Enduring words call for watchfulness and prayer
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The fig-tree lesson directs attention to discernment, and Jesus affirms the reliability of his words. He warns against hearts burdened by excess and cares, calls for prayerful readiness, and continues teaching publicly.
Key Truth: Guard attention and pray rather than becoming overwhelmed by excess or cares.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all …” (Luke 21:29)
Find it in Luke 21:29 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this ____ , and so that day come upon you unawares.” (Luke 21:34)
Find it in Luke 21:34 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And all the ____ came early in the morning to him in the temple, …” (Luke 21:38)
Find it in Luke 21:38 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Daniel 7:13 — The vision of one like the Son of man coming with clouds connects with Jesus’ announcement.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What distraction needs to give way to patient faithfulness and prayer?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Luke 21:1–19 (A widow’s offering and the temple warning redirect expectations) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Luke 21:20–28 (Jerusalem’s distress and the Son of man’s coming are described) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Luke 21:29–38 (Enduring words call for watchfulness and prayer) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What response does Jesus call for amid the announced pressures?
5. How should hearers respond to the warnings about coming events?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation