The Temple Will Fall
Asked to admire the temple, Jesus says not one stone will be left standing. He describes wars, families betraying each other, false christs, and the Son of Man coming, while saying no one knows the day, not the angels, not the Son, only the Father.
13 1Leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Teacher, look! What huge stones, what magnificent buildings!"
2Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will remain here on another; all will be torn down."
3As he sat on the Mount of Olives facing the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4tell us, when will these things happen, and what sign shows all this is about to be fulfilled?
5Jesus began to tell them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and they will deceive many. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don't be troubled—these must happen, but the end isn't yet. 8Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom, earthquakes in various places, famines—these are the beginning of birth pains.
9Watch yourselves. They'll hand you to councils and beat you in synagogues. Because of me you'll stand before governors and kings, as a testimony to them. 10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11When they arrest and hand you over, don't worry beforehand what to say. Say whatever you're given in that hour—it's not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12Brother will betray brother to death, father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13All will hate you for my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
14When you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (reader, take note), those in Judea must flee to the mountains. a a v14 "Abomination of desolation" comes from Daniel — a sacrilegious act that desecrates the temple; Jesus treats it as a still-future sign his hearers should watch for. 15Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16Let no one in the field go back to get their coat. 17How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18Pray that it will not happen in winter, 19for those days will bring suffering unmatched since our Father created the world until now—and never to be matched again. 20Had the Sovereign not shortened those days, no one would survive; but the Sovereign shortened them for the elect he chose. 21Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there!' don't believe it. 22False christs and false prophets will appear, performing signs and wonders to deceive the elect, if possible. 23So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
24But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will darken, and the moon will not give its light; 25the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27He will send his angels and gather his chosen from the four winds, from earth's ends to heaven's ends.
28Learn this from the fig tree: once its branch softens and leaves sprout, you know summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things happening, know it's near, at the door. 30Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Only the Father Knows the Hour
32But no one knows that day or hour—not the angels in heaven, not the Son, only the Father. 33Be on guard! Stay alert! For you do not know when that time will come.
34Like a man on a journey: he leaves his house, gives his servants authority—each his own task—and orders the doorkeeper to stay alert. 35So stay alert, since you don't know when the master of the house comes—evening, midnight, rooster's crow, or dawn. 36Otherwise, if he comes suddenly, he may find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!"
