Luke 21

Christ commandeth the small gift of a poor widow 5 foretelleth the desolation of the temple and the city of Jerusalem 7 and relate the signs which shall precede the same 12 and the tribulations which should come upon his disciples against which he comforts them with his assistance and protection 20 Adviseth when the cit shall be besieged to a speedy flight to escape that grievous misery 25 foretells the signs of the last coming and exhorts by the similitude of the budding of the tree to take notice of the same 34 and to expect his coming with sobriety watching and prayer 37 teacheth the people daily in the temple

1. And looking up he saw the rich cast their gifts into the treasure chest [of this treasure chest see 2 Kings 12:9 Matthew27.6]

2. And he saw also a certain poor widow cast thereinto two small pences [or very little ones see of the value of the same on Mark 12:42]

3. And he said truly I say unto ye that this poor widow had cast in more than then all

4. For they all have the abundance or over plus cast unto the gifts of God [that is unto the other gifts which were given and consecrated to God and kept in the treasure chest] but she of her want [that is of which is of that which wanted or had need for her to live upon] hath cast threinto all the livelihood which she had [Gr living see Matthew 12:44]

5. And as some said of the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones, and oblations; [These were properly such gifts, which in the Temple were consecrated to God, and hanged up for ornament. See the like 2 Kings 11:10.] He said,

6. As for these things, which ye behold, there shall be daies to come, in which not (one) stone shall be left upon (another) stone, which shall not be broken down.

7. And they asked him saying, Master, when there shall these things be? And what is the sign when these things shall come to pass?

8. And he said, see that ye not be seduced; for many shall come under my name, [Gr. in my name, i.e. falsify ascribing my name.] saying I am (the Christ) [Gr, I am, namely the Christ, is exprest Matth. 24.5.] And the time is coming: go not therefore after them.

9. And when ye shall hear of wars, and commotions [Greek word signifies such commotions or confusion whereby nothing at all is left in state or place.] be not affrighted: For these things must first come to pass [namely, before the City and Temple of Jerusalem shall be laid waste] But (yet) the end is not presently.

10. Then he said unto them; (one) Nation shall rise up against the (other) Nation, and (one) Kingdom against the (other) Kingdom.

11. And there shall be great Earthquakes in divers place, and femine and pestilences: there shall also happen [Gr. be] terrible things and great signs from heaven. [See hereof the Jewish Historin Jos. De bello Jud. Lib.7 cap.12.]

12. But before all these they shall lay their hands on you and persecute (you) delivering you over into the Synagogues [In which the faithfull were scourged also, as may be seen Acts 5:40. and22. 19. and 26.11.] and prisons, and ye shall be drawn before Kings and Governors for my name sake

13. And this shall come upon you [Gr. come down or descend, i.e. become tend] for testimony. [Namely, as well of the cruelty and stiffneckedness , as of your steadfastness in the confession of my name, and of the truth of my predictions.]

14. Resolve therefore in your hearts [Gr. settle it, or set it therefore in your hearts] not to consider before hand (how) ye shall defend yourselves

15. For I will give ye a mouth [That is, fitness and boldness in speaking by my spirit, See Nark 13.11.] and wisdome, which all that set themselves against you shall not be able to gain- say nor resist.

16. And ye shall be delivered over [Or Betrayed] even of parents, and brethren, and kinsmen and friends: and they shall put (some) of to death.

17. And ye shall be hated all [Namely, worldly men See John 15:18.] for my names sake.

18. Yet not a hair of your heads shall perish. [That is, no man shall be able to hurt you in the least without the will of your heavenly Father. Like Phrases. See 1 Samuel 14:45. and 1 Kings.1.52.]

19. Posses ye your souls in patience.

20. But when you shall see that Jerusalem is compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is come nigh.

21. Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains: and they that are in the midst of the same, let them depart out: and they that are in the fields, let them not come into the same. [Namely, to Jerusalem.]

22. For these are the daise of vengeance [Namely, of God, upon the stiffneckedness of the Jewish people.] that all may be fulfilled which is written.

23. But two [This word Christ useth, not threatening as he doth against the Pharisees Luke 11:42. &c but lamenting them by reason of the trouble which then should come upon them.] (to the women) that are with child and that give suck in those daise: for there shall be great distre in the Land, [Gr. on the earth] and wrath upon this people.

24. And they shall fall by the edge, [Gr. the mouth] of the sword, and be carried away captives among all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles. Until the times of tha Gentiles shall be fulfilled. [Namely, appointed for the calling of the Gentiles Romans 11:25. after the fulfilling whereof, those things shall come to pass which follow hereafter, or appointed for judgement and vengeance upon the Gentiles, when the measure of their sins shall be filled up.

25. And there shall be signs in the sun, and Moon and Starrs, and on the earth, distress of Nations, with doubtfulness of the mind, when the Sea, and water-billows shall give great sound. [Greek, resound, or Echo.]

26. And mens heart shall fail [Or men shall give up the Ghost, or be quite out if heart.] for fear, and for expectations of the things, which shall come upon the earth, [Gr. the inhibited, namely earth] for the powers of heavens shall be moved. [Namely up and down like the waves of the Sea. See Matth. 24.29.]

27. And then they shall see the Son of man come in a cloud with great power [Gr. much] and glory. [namely in his heavenly Majesty, and accompanied with holy Angels. Matth. 25.31.]

28. Now when these things begin to come to pass, then look on high [Or erect your selves, namely for the joy and longing, Matthew 24:33.] and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near; [namely your perfect deliverance from all the evil, Romans 8:23.]

29. And he spake a similitude unto them, behold the fig-tree and all the trees.

30. When they spring forth and yee see (that) yee know of your selves that the summer is now neer.

31. Even so also when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the Kingdom of God [Namely of Glory. See 1 cor.15. 24. 2 Tim. 4. 18.] Is near.

32. Verily I say unto you, that this generation [Namely of the Jewish people] shall in nowise pass away, until all shall come to pass.

33. The Heaven and Earth shall pass away [See hereof 2 Pet. 3 10.] but my words shall in nowise pass away.

34. And take heed to your selves , that your hearts be not in any time made heavy with gluttony and drunkenness and cares of this life, [Namely too great or immoderate, which hinder a man from watching for Christs coming] and that that day comes not (upon) you umaware.

35. For as snare shall it come upon all those that are seated upon the whole Earth? [Gr. on the face of the whole Earth.]

36. Watch therefore at all the times, praying that yee may be counted worthy, to escape all these things which shall come to pass [That is, all these judgement and miseries] and to stand before the Son of man. [that is, subsist and appear before him with boldness.]

37. Now by day he was teaching in the Temple, but at night he went out, and abode all night on the Mount, called the (Mount) of Olives.

38. And all people came to him early in the morning in the Temple for to hear him: