The Poor Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41–44)
1 UST Then Jesus looked up{ from where he was sitting} and saw rich people putting their gifts{ of money} into the offering boxes{ in the temple courtyard}. BSB BSB: Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
2 UST He also saw a poor widow put two small copper coins into one of the boxes. BSB BSB: and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
3 UST And he said{ to his disciples},“The truth is that this poor widow has put more{ into the offering box} than all{ of these rich people}. BSB BSB: “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
4 UST Let me tell you why that is true. All those{ rich people} gave a lot of money, but it was extra money that they did not really need. But this widow, who is very poor, gave all the money that she had, even though she really did need it to live on.” BSB BSB: 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 UST Some{ of Jesus’ disciples} were talking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and decorations that people had given. But Jesus said, BSB BSB: As some of the disciples were remarking how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, Jesus said,
7 UST Then they asked him,“Teacher, when will these things happen? And what will show that these things are about to take place?” BSB BSB: “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
8 UST Jesus replied,“Do not let anyone mislead you. For many people will come and each will claim to be me. Each will say about himself,‘I am the Messiah!’ They will also say,‘The time is almost here when God will rule as king!’ Do not believe what they are saying! BSB BSB: 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 UST Also, you will hear about wars and people fighting each other. Things like that must happen before the end{ of the world} comes. So{ when you hear about those things,} do not be afraid. BSB BSB: 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 UST Various people groups will attack each other, and the people of different kingdoms will fight each other. BSB BSB: Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 UST And in various places there will be great earthquakes. There will also be famines and terrible diseases. Many things will happen that will cause people to be very afraid. People will see strange things in the sky{ that will show that something very important is going to happen}. BSB BSB: There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
12 UST But before all these things{ happen}, your enemies will seize you and treat you badly. They will bring you to the synagogues{, whose judges will put you on trial} and{ put you in the} prisons. Your enemies will also have kings and high government authorities put you on trial because you believe in me. BSB BSB: 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 UST That will be a time for you to tell them the truth about me. BSB BSB: This will be your opportunity to serve as witnesses.
14 UST So resolve firmly not to worry ahead of time about what you will say to defend yourselves, BSB BSB: So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves.
15 UST because I will give you the right words so that you will know what to say. As a result, none of the people accusing you will be able to say that you are wrong. BSB BSB: For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
16 UST And even your parents and brothers and sisters and{ other} relatives and friends will betray you, and they will kill some of you. BSB BSB: You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.
17 UST Most people will hate you because you believe in me. BSB BSB: And you will be hated by everyone because of My name.
18 UST But your entire being will be safe{ spiritually}. BSB BSB: Yet not even a hair of your head will perish.
19 UST If you go through difficult times and prove that you trust God, after you die your souls will live on in God’ s presence. BSB BSB: By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.
The Destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15–25; Mark 13:14–23)
21 UST At that time those of you who are in{ other places in the province of} Judea must escape to the mountains. And those of you who are in this city must leave. Those of you who are in the nearby countryside must not come into the city. BSB BSB: 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 UST { You should run away} because God will punish{ the city of Jerusalem} at this time.{ When he does that,} what God has said in the Scriptures about this will come true. BSB BSB: For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
23 UST When this happens, how terrible it will be for pregnant women and for those who are nursing their babies. There will be great suffering in the land. God will be angry with these people and punish them severely. BSB BSB: 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.
The Return of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:26–31; Mark 13:24–27)
25 UST “At this time, strange things will happen to the sun, the moon, and the stars. And on earth, people groups will become very frightened. They will be as afraid as they would be in a roaring ocean with huge waves. BSB BSB: 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 UST People will be so afraid that they will faint because they are waiting for what will happen next in the world. The stars in the sky will move out of their usual places. BSB BSB: Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 UST Then all people will see me, the Son of Man, coming in the clouds powerfully and with brilliant light. BSB BSB: At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 UST So when those terrible things begin to happen, assume a posture of confidence, because God will soon rescue you.” BSB BSB: 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 UST Then Jesus gave them an example. He said,“Think about the fig trees, and even all the trees. BSB BSB: Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.
30 UST When you see that their leaves are sprouting, you know that it is the beginning of summer. BSB BSB: When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.
31 UST In the same way, when you see these things that I have just described happening, you will know then that God will soon show himself as king. BSB BSB: So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 UST I am telling you the truth. The people who see the first of the signs I have described will definitely live to see all these things happen. BSB BSB: Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.
33 UST You may think of the sky and the land as permanent. They are not, but my words are permanent. BSB BSB: Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Be Watchful for the Day 34 UST Be very careful to control yourselves. If you get drunk, your minds will not be alert afterwards. And if you worry about day- to- day matters, you will become distracted.{ Then you will not be paying attention to the signs I have told you about, and} I will surprise you when I return. BSB BSB: 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 UST { I will come so suddenly that} it will be like when a trap springs closed on an animal.{ So you need to be watching for my return,} because it will affect every person in the world. BSB BSB: For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth.
36 UST So you must be always ready for my coming. Pray that you will be able to stay faithful to me as you experience these difficult things that I have been talking about. That way I, the Messiah, will declare you innocent{ when I come to judge the world}.” BSB BSB: 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 UST Each day Jesus was teaching people at the temple. But every evening he went{ out of the city} and stayed all night on the Mount of Olives. BSB BSB: Every day Jesus taught at the temple, but every evening He went out to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.
38 UST And early every morning, great crowds of people came to the temple to listen to him{ as he taught}. BSB BSB: And early in the morning all the people would come to hear Him at the temple.