Single lesson

Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day

Matthew 24:1–44; Mark 13:1–33; Luke 21:5–38

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.

12–17 years40 minutes

Before you teach

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.

Learning aim

Explain the central teaching of Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day, using two details from the reading. Jesus teaches his followers not to be misled, to endure through trouble, and to stay watchful because the exact time is not revealed.

1

Welcome: Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day

5 min

Introduce “Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day” and locate Matthew 24:1–44; Mark 13:1–33; Luke 21:5–38. Jesus teaches his followers not to be misled, to endure through trouble, and to stay watchful because the exact time is not revealed. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.

Matthew 24:1, Mark 13:12, Luke 21:38

2

Read and explain the passage

12 min

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.

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.

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 selected verses together, pausing at “Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.

Matthew 24:1, Matthew 24:2, Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:4, Matthew 24:5, Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:1, Mark 13:2, Mark 13:4, Mark 13:5, Mark 13:7, Luke 21:5, Luke 21:6, Luke 21:7, Luke 21:8, Luke 21:9, Matthew 24:15, Matthew 24:16, Matthew 24:18, Matthew 24:19, Matthew 24:20, Mark 13:14, Mark 13:16, Mark 13:17, Mark 13:18, Luke 21:20, Luke 21:21, Luke 21:23, Luke 21:24, Matthew 24:32, Matthew 24:35, Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:37, Matthew 24:39, Matthew 24:42, Matthew 24:43, Matthew 24:44, Mark 13:28, Mark 13:31, Mark 13:32, Mark 13:33, Luke 21:29, Luke 21:31, Luke 21:33, Luke 21:34, Luke 21:36

3

Discuss the details and their meaning

8 min

Use the three questions below. Begin with “Why does Jesus begin with a warning about deception before giving other details?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Jesus teaches his followers not to be misled, to endure through trouble, and to stay watchful because the exact time is not revealed. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.

Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:4, Mark 13:4, Mark 13:5, Luke 21:7, Luke 21:8, Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, Luke 21:20, Matthew 24:32, Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:42, Mark 13:28, Mark 13:32, Luke 21:29, Luke 21:36

4

Make and respond: Vision and message evidence map

12 min

Work on “Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day: Vision and message evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.

Matthew 24:1, Mark 13:12, Luke 21:38

5

Closing: return to Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day

3 min

Revisit Matthew 24:1–44; Mark 13:1–33; Luke 21:5–38. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.

Matthew 24:1, Mark 13:12, Luke 21:38

Questions to explore

Why 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.

Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:4, Mark 13:4, Mark 13:5, Luke 21:7, Luke 21:8

What 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.

Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, Luke 21:20

How 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.

Matthew 24:32, Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:42, Mark 13:28, Mark 13:32, Luke 21:29, Luke 21:36

Make, think or respond

Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day: Vision and message evidence map

What you’ll need

  • plain paper or card
  • pencils or pens
  • a Bible or the source reading on this page

Try it together

  1. Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage describes”, “What is explained in the text”, “What question remains”.
  2. Read Matthew 24:1–44; Mark 13:1–33; Luke 21:5–38. Use “Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
  3. Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
  4. Circle an explanation the passage itself provides. Leave unexplained details as questions for further reading.

The finished sheet keeps the details of Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.

Adapt for your group

  • For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Jesus Teaches about Jerusalem and the Coming Day” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
  • For confident readers, compare two sections of Matthew 24:1–44; Mark 13:1–33; Luke 21:5–38. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.

An optional closing prayer

“God, help us listen carefully as we read Matthew 24:1–44; Mark 13:1–33; Luke 21:5–38. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”

Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic

Matthew 24

1 Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple.

2 But 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.”

3 As 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?”

4 Jesus answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.

5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray.

6 You 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.

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places.

8 But 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.

10 Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another.

11 Many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray.

12 Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.

13 But he who endures to the end will be saved.

14 This 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),

16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house.

18 Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes.

19 But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days!

20 Pray that your flight will not be in the winter nor on a Sabbath,

21 for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.

22 Unless 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.

24 For 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.

27 For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

28 For 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;

30 and 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.

31 He 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.

33 Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.

34 Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.

35 Heaven 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.

37 As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

38 For 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,

39 and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left.

41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left.

42 Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.

43 But 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.

44 Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.

Mark 13

1 As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!”

2 Jesus 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.”

3 As 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?”

5 Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.

6 For 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.

8 For 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.

10 The Good News must first be preached to all the nations.

11 When 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.

13 You 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,

15 and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house.

16 Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak.

17 But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days!

18 Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter.

19 For 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.

20 Unless 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.

21 Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it.

22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

23 But you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.

24 But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,

25 the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.

26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

27 Then 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;

29 even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors.

30 Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.

31 Heaven 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.

33 Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.

Luke 21

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.”

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.

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 middle 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.

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.”

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 God’s Kingdom 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.

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.

World English Bible Classic. Public domain.

Source passages

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