Read & explore together
Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day
Jesus answers questions raised by the temple and its future. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he warns about deception, suffering, Jerusalem’s desolation, the coming of the Son of Man, and the need to remain watchful.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage opens as the temple’s stones and buildings are admired. Jesus says they will be thrown down. From the Mount of Olives, disciples ask when these things will happen and what sign will show they are near. Luke also notes that Jesus was teaching in the temple during these days.
Matthew 24:1–44; Mark 13:1–33; Luke 21:5–38Main takeaway
Jesus teaches his followers not to be misled, to endure through trouble, and to stay watchful because the exact time is not revealed.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The temple and the first warningPeople point to the temple’s greatness, but Jesus says its stones will be thrown down. When asked about timing and signs, he begins with a warning rather than a schedule.
Explanation
People point to the temple’s greatness, but Jesus says its stones will be thrown down. When asked about timing and signs, he begins with a warning rather than a schedule. They must not be led astray by people claiming authority in his name, and they must not panic at reports of conflict.
02Early troubles and the call to endureJesus speaks of wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues, and other troubles. Matthew and Mark call these the beginning of birth pains, not the end itself.
Explanation
Jesus speaks of wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues, and other troubles. Matthew and Mark call these the beginning of birth pains, not the end itself. Followers of Jesus will face persecution, hatred, betrayal, prisons, and rulers, yet their suffering becomes testimony, and endurance is repeatedly emphasised.
03A crisis centred on JerusalemJesus then gives an urgent warning. Matthew and Mark speak of the abomination of desolation, while Luke says Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies.
Explanation
Jesus then gives an urgent warning. Matthew and Mark speak of the abomination of desolation, while Luke says Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies. Those in Judea must flee without delay. The language shows urgency and hardship, especially for vulnerable people, and Luke adds captivity and Jerusalem trampled by the Gentiles.
04The Son of Man and visible comingJesus warns again against false claims that the Christ is hidden somewhere. His coming will not be secret.
Explanation
Jesus warns again against false claims that the Christ is hidden somewhere. His coming will not be secret. After severe suffering and cosmic signs, people will see the Son of Man coming with power and glory, and his chosen ones will be gathered. Luke adds a word of hope: lift up your heads, because redemption is near.
05Signs, certainty, and readinessJesus uses the fig tree as an illustration that visible signs show nearness. He says his words will not pass away.
Explanation
Jesus uses the fig tree as an illustration that visible signs show nearness. He says his words will not pass away. Yet Matthew and Mark say no one knows the day or hour. Matthew then adds the days of Noah and the thief picture to show suddenness, so the response is watchfulness, prayer, and readiness.
Read the accounts alongside one another
Keep each reading’s setting and wording in view.
Scroll across to compare the readings.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Jesus begin with a warning about deception before giving other details?
In each account, his first response to the question is to warn against being led astray, so careful discernment is part of understanding the whole discourse.
02What differences do you notice between Matthew and Mark’s wording and Luke’s wording about Jerusalem’s crisis?
Compare the references to the abomination of desolation with Luke’s description of Jerusalem surrounded by armies, and let each account speak in its own terms.
03How does Jesus connect recognising signs with staying ready?
The fig tree teaches recognition, Matthew and Mark say no one knows the day or hour, and Luke stresses watchfulness and prayer.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Matthew 24:1–44
1Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple.
2But he answered them, “You see all of these things, don’t you? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone on another, that will not be thrown down.”
3As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4Jesus answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.
5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray.
6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet.
7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places.
8But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.
9“Then they will deliver you up to oppression and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s sake.
10Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another.
11Many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray.
12Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.
13But he who endures to the end will be saved.
14This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
15“When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
17Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house.
18Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes.
19But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days!
20Pray that your flight will not be in the winter nor on a Sabbath,
21for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.
22Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.
23“Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There!’ don’t believe it.
24For false christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.
25“Behold, I have told you beforehand.
26“If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ don’t believe it.
27For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
28For wherever the carcass is, that is where the vultures gather together.
29“But immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken;
30and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.
31He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
32“Now from the fig tree learn this parable: When its branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near.
33Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.
34Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.
35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
36“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
38For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship,
39and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left.
41Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left.
42Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.
43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
44Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
Mark 13:1–33
1As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!”
2Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.”
3As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
4“Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?”
5Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.
6For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and will lead many astray.
7“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet.
8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.
9“But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.
10The Good News must first be preached to all the nations.
11When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
12“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
13You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
14“But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,
15and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house.
16Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak.
17But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days!
18Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter.
19For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be.
20Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.
21Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it.
22For false christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.
23But you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.
24But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,
25the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
27Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.
28“Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near;
29even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors.
30Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.
31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
32“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.
Luke 21:5–38
5As 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.”
7They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?”
8He 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.
9When you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.”
10Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
12But 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.
13It will turn out as a testimony for you.
14Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
16You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death.
17You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake.
18And not a hair of your head will perish.
19“By your endurance you will win your lives.
20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein.
22For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23Woe 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.
24They 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.
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;
26men fainting for fear and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28But when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”
29He told them a parable. “See the fig tree and all the trees.
30When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near.
31Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near.
32Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.
33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
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.
35For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth.
36Therefore 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.”
37Every 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.
38All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.