Luke 21

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Jesus and Zacchaeus

19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief btax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, c“He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I dgive to the poor. And if I have edefrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the flost.”

The Parable of the Ten Minas

11 gAs they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the hkingdom of God was to appear iimmediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman jwent into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,1 he gave them ten minas,2 and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant!3 Because you have been kfaithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that lto everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

The Triumphal Entry

28 mAnd when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, n“Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which ono one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the pcolt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they qspread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, r“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the shighest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very tstones would cry out.”

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he uwept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a vbarricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will wnot leave one stone upon another in you, xbecause you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

45 yAnd he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, z‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a aden of robbers.”

47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking bto destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were changing on his words.

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

20 dOne day, as Jesus1 was teaching the people in the temple and epreaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what fauthority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you gnot believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a hprophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

9 iAnd he began to tell the people this parable: j“A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and kwent into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant2 to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. lBut the tenants mbeat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 nThen the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my obeloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the pheir. Let us qkill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and rgive the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

s“‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the tcornerstone’?3

18 Everyone who ufalls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Paying Taxes to Caesar

19 vThe scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they wwatched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, xwe know that you speak and teach rightly, and yshow no partiality,4 but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give ztribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius.5 Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then arender to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to bcatch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection

27 cThere came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a dresurrection, 28 and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, eMoses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man6 must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second 31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”

34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the fresurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they gcannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are hsons of God, being sons7 of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, iin the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord jthe God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for kall live to him.” 39 Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 For they no longer dared to ask him any question.

Whose Son Is the Christ?

41 lBut he said to them, “How can they say that the mChrist is David’s son? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms,

n“‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

43  until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

44 David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”

Beware of the Scribes

45 oAnd in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love pgreetings in the marketplaces and the qbest seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who rdevour widows’ houses and for a spretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

The Widow’s Offering

21 tJesus1 looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the uoffering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.2 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

5 vAnd while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will wnot be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 xAnd they asked him, “Teacher, ywhen will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but zthe end will not be at once.”

Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution

10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 aBut before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the bsynagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before ckings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 This will be your dopportunity to bear witness. 14 eSettle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will fgive you a mouth and wisdom, which gnone of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by hparents and brothers3 and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to ideath. 17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 jBy your endurance you will gain your lives.

Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem

20 k“But when you see Jerusalem lsurrounded by armies, then know that its mdesolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee nto the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are odays of vengeance, to pfulfill all that is written. 23 qAlas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and rwrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be strampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 t“And there will be signs in usun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the vpowers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man wcoming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your xredemption is drawing ynear.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29 zAnd he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the akingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, bthis generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Watch Yourselves

34 c“But watch yourselves dlest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and ecares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But fstay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

22 gNow the hFeast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking ihow to put him to death, for they feared the people.

Judas to Betray Jesus

3 jThen Satan kentered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

The Passover with the Disciples

7 lThen came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the mPassover lamb had to be nsacrificed. 8 So Jesus1 sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” 9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, owhen you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

14 pAnd when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it2 until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, q“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, r“This scup that is poured out for you is the tnew covenant in my ublood.3 21 vBut behold, the hand of him who wbetrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

Who Is the Greatest?

24 xA dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, ylet the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who zserves.

28 “You are those who have astayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and bsit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

31 c“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,4 that he might dsift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And ewhen you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter5 said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus6 said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus

35 And he said to them, f“When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: g‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two hswords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39 iAnd he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an jangel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more kearnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.7 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 lWhile he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the mservant8 of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the ntemple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the opower of darkness.”

Peter Denies Jesus

54 pThen they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and qPeter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, r“Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus Is Mocked

63 sNow the men who were holding Jesus in custody were tmocking him as they ubeat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.

Jesus Before the Council

66 When vday came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 w“If you are xthe Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be yseated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, z“You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, a“What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

Jesus Before Pilate

23 bThen the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 cAnd they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and dforbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a eking.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find fno guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

Jesus Before Herod

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had glong desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he hmade no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And iHerod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was jmisleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, knothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”1

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

18 lBut they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

The Crucifixion

26 mAnd as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but nweep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, o‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to psay to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is qgreen, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 rTwo others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, s“Father, forgive them, for they tknow not what they do.”2 And uthey cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the vChrist of God, his wChosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and xoffering him ysour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, zsave yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him,3 “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,4 saying, “Are you not the aChrist? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not bfear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The Death of Jesus

44 cIt was now about the sixth hour,5 and there was ddarkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,6 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the ecurtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, fsaid, “Father, ginto your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 hNow when the centurion saw what had taken place, he ipraised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the jwomen who had followed him from Galilee stood kat a distance watching these things.

Jesus Is Buried

50 lNow there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was mlooking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in na tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.7 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.

On the Sabbath they rested oaccording to the commandment.