The Poor Widow's Offering
(Mark 12:41-44)
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.
Temple Destruction Foretold
(Matthew 24:1-4; Mark 13:1-9)
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. 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.
Witnessing to All Nations
(Matthew 24:9-14; Mark 13:10-13)
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. 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.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
(Matthew 24:15-25; Mark 13:14-23)
20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21Then 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. 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.
The Return of the Son of Man
(Matthew 24:26-31; Mark 13:24-27)
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.
The lesson of the Fig Tree
(Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31)
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. 33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Be Watchful
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.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
The Poor Widow’s Offering
(Mark 12:41–44)
1 He looked up, and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins. 3 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them, 4 for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”
Temple Destruction and Other Signs
(Matthew 24:1–8; Mark 13:1–8)
5 As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,
6 “As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down.”
7 They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?” 8 He said, “Watch out that you don’t get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Therefore don’t follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.”
Witnessing to All Nations
(Matthew 24:9–14; Mark 13:9–13)
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 It will turn out as a testimony for you. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict. 16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death. 17 You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake. 18 And not a hair of your head will perish. 19 “By your endurance you will win your lives.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
(Matthew 24:15–25; Mark 13:14–23)
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Return of the Son of Man
(Matthew 24:26–31; Mark 13:24–27)
25 There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; 26 men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
(Matthew 24:32–35; Mark 13:28–31)
29 He told them a parable. “See the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near. 31 Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. 32 Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
Be Watchful for the Day
34 “So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly. 35 For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth. 36 Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet. 38 All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.
The Poor Widow’s Offering
(Mark 12:41–44)
1 Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. a
3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
Temple Destruction and Other Signs
(Matthew 24:1–8; Mark 13:1–8)
5 As some of the disciples were remarking how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
8 Jesus answered, “See to it that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.”
Witnessing to All Nations
(Matthew 24:9–14; Mark 13:9–13)
10 Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
12 But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors. 13 This will be your opportunity to serve as witnesses. 14 So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. 17 And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. 18 Yet not even a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
(Matthew 24:15–25; Mark 13:14–23)
20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
23 How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Return of the Son of Man
(Matthew 24:26–31; Mark 13:24–27)
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. 26 Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. b 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
(Matthew 24:32–35; Mark 13:28–31)
29 Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Be Watchful for the Day
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. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 Every day Jesus taught at the temple, but every evening He went out to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38 And early in the morning all the people would come to hear Him at the temple.
Footnotes:
2 a Greek two lepta ; a lepton was a Jewish coin of bronze or copper worth about 1-128 of a denarius.
27 b See Daniel 7:13–14.
The Poor Widow's Offering
(Mark 12:41-44)
1And having looked up, he saw those who did cast their gifts to the treasury -- rich men, 2and he saw also a certain poor widow casting there two mites, 3and he said, 'Truly I say to you, that this poor widow did cast in more than all; 4for all these out of their superabundance did cast into the gifts to God, but this one out of her want, all the living that she had, did cast in.'
Temple Destruction Foretold
(Matthew 24:1-4; Mark 13:1-9)
5And certain saying about the temple, that with goodly stones and devoted things it hath been adorned, he said, 6'These things that ye behold -- days will come, in which there shall not be left a stone upon a stone, that shall not be thrown down.'
7And they questioned him, saying, 'Teacher, when, then, shall these things be? and what is the sign when these things may be about to happen?' 8And he said, 'See -- ye may not be led astray, for many shall come in my name, saying -- I am he, and the time hath come nigh; go not on then after them; 9and when ye may hear of wars and uprisings, be not terrified, for it behoveth these things to happen first, but the end is not immediately.'
Witnessing to All Nations
(Matthew 24:9-14; Mark 13:10-13)
10Then said he to them, 'Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, 11great shakings also in every place, and famines, and pestilences, there shall be; fearful things also, and great signs from heaven there shall be;
12and before all these, they shall lay on you their hands, and persecute, delivering up to synagogues and prisons, being brought before kings and governors for my name's sake; 13and it shall become to you for a testimony. 14'Settle, then, to your hearts, not to meditate beforehand to reply, 15for I will give to you a mouth and wisdom that all your opposers shall not be able to refute or resist. 16'And ye shall be delivered up also by parents, and brothers, and kindred, and friends, and they shall put of you to death; 17and ye shall be hated by all because of my name -- 18and a hair out of your head shall not perish; 19in your patience possess ye your souls.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
(Matthew 24:15-25; Mark 13:14-23)
20'And when ye may see Jerusalem surrounded by encampments, then know that come nigh did her desolation; 21then those in Judea, let them flee to the mountains; and those in her midst, let them depart out; and those in the countries, let them not come in to her; 22because these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all things that have been written. 23'And woe to those with child, and to those giving suck, in those days; for there shall be great distress on the land, and wrath on this people; 24and they shall fall by the mouth of the sword, and shall be led captive to all the nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by nations, till the times of nations be fulfilled.
The Return of the Son of Man
(Matthew 24:26-31; Mark 13:24-27)
25And there shall be signs in sun, and moon, and stars, and on the land is distress of nations with perplexity, sea and billow roaring; 26men fainting at heart from fear, and expectation of the things coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. 27'And then they shall see the Son of Man, coming in a cloud, with power and much glory; 28and these things beginning to happen bend yourselves back, and lift up your heads, because your redemption doth draw nigh.'
The lesson of the Fig Tree
(Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31)
29And he spake a simile to them: 'See the fig-tree, and all the trees, 30when they may now cast forth, having seen, of yourselves ye know that now is the summer nigh; 31so also ye, when ye may see these things happening, ye know that near is the reign of God; 32verily I say to you -- This generation may not pass away till all may have come to pass; 33the heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words may not pass away.
Be Watchful
34'And take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts may be weighed down with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day may come on you, 35for as a snare it shall come on all those dwelling on the face of all the land, 36watch ye, then, in every season, praying that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are about to come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.'
37And he was during the days in the temple teaching, and during the nights, going forth, he was lodging at the mount called of Olives; 38and all the people were coming early unto him in the temple to hear him.
The Favor of God Message paraphrase
The Widow’s Offering
¹ Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on.”
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
⁵ Some of His disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ⁶ “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”
⁷ “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
⁸ He replied, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them! ⁹ When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
¹⁰ Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
¹² “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of My name. ¹³ And so you will bear testimony to Me. ¹⁴ But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ Everyone will hate you because of Me. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ Stand firm, and you will win life.
Jerusalem’s Destruction
²⁰ “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. ²¹ Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. ²² For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. ²³ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. ²⁴ They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man
²⁵ “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ²⁶ People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ²⁷ At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
²⁹ He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰ When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. ³¹ Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
³² “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Watchfulness
³⁴ “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
³⁷ Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening He went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, ³⁸ and all the people came early in the morning to hear Him at the temple.
Footnotes:
21:2: The widow’s small offering reflects the depth of her trust in God’s provision despite her circumstances.
21:9: Jesus warns against fear and panic in the face of conflict and upheaval, emphasizing trust in God’s timing.
21:19: The command to stand firm reminds believers that enduring faith in trials leads to eternal life.
21:23: Jesus’ warning to the pregnant and nursing mothers highlights the severity of the coming tribulation.
21:27: The imagery of the Son of Man returning in the clouds reflects Jesus’ glory and authority at the culmination of history.
21:33: Jesus assures that while everything else may change or be destroyed, His word remains eternal and trustworthy.
21:36: Prayer and watchfulness are essential for spiritual readiness to stand firm in faith amidst the coming challenges.
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