The Son of Man’s Jerusalem Ministry (19:28-21:38)

The Widow's Generosity (1-4)

Jesus then looked up and observed the rich folks’ making a show of giving, followed by a poor widow dropping in two of the smallest coins in circulation. Jesus made a striking point about giving. The ones who gave the most were the ones who left themselves with the least at the end of their giving. The rich left themselves with plenty in Jesus’ eyes; the widow was giving her whole life. All measurements are relative. Jesus' point was that, in giving to God, those who loved and followed Him gave their whole lives to Him in whatever amount they gave (1-4). 

The Fate of the Temple and Jerusalem (5-36)

Not a Stone Left (5-7)

As some were admiring all the ornamentation Herod had commissioned in the building of the Temple, Jesus began talking about a day when not a stone would be left upon another due to its utter destruction. This would have amazed those who heard Him, for the Jewish Temple was one of the wonders of the world (5-6). Those who heard Jesus make these remarks about the Temple asked Him if He would give them signs when such a thing would take place, so they could be ready (7).

Between the Resurrection and the Fall of Jerusalem (8-19)

Jesus jumped in and began to list out events to come before the destruction of the Temple. 

• Many would come and claim to be the Messiah. In fact, historically, many between Jesus and the Temple's destruction did claim to be the Messiah (8).

• There would be wars and rumblings about wars, some of which would happen, and others that would never materialize. Some of these wars and battles would be so close to home that it would make them uneasy.

• The end of the Temple would not happen at once; it would slowly come upon Israel (9).

• They would watch as nations and kingdoms scuffled with each other (10). After the suicide of Nero in 68 A.D., the Roman Peace was shattered; four emperors followed in quick succession, and the earth was shaken into upheaval. This is much of what verses 25-26 allude to, but it is also touched on in verse 10. 

• They would hear of and experience natural disasters, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, terrors, and great signs in the heavens (11). 

• They would experience persecution, and while the Lord would not be bodily present with them in this future, He would yet be with them, giving them a voice and wisdom in answering their accusers (12-15).

• During the time between the Resurrection and the destruction of the Temple, they would experience much, but it would all be an opportunity to bear witness to who Christ really was (13).

• Families would experience mighty schisms because of Christ (16).

• Jesus' followers would be hated (17). Then Jesus promised not a hair of their heads would perish because their endurance would give them life. In this, Jesus was promising resurrection to those who withstood persecution (18-19).  

The Fall of Jerusalem (20-28)

After Jesus had adequately convinced those listening that the fall of Jerusalem would not happen quickly, He explained He would be bodily absent for some time, and much would happen before the city fell. After Jesus made the point that the rejection of Him and His Kingdom would have disastrous results, He began to tell them what the fall of the city would be like.

The main thrust of His message was like the prophets of old, who told the people to give up a false sense of national loyalty and to flee Jerusalem in a hurry, as the Babylonians were laying siege to the city (Isaiah 48:20; Jeremiah 50:8; 51:6, 45).

• Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies (20).

• When they saw the armies come, they were to flee; no victory was possible, for the days of vengeance would be visiting the city and the religious system that had killed the prophets (21-22).

• It would be a particularly difficult season for pregnant women, for the earth was going to be distressed and wrath poured out upon Israel in the midst of that distress (23).

• The siege would end with sword, death, captivity, and the complete trampling of Judaism by the Gentiles (24).  

• During this season, the great empire was going to shake and roar, with emperors falling and others rising. Jesus used the metaphor of the sun, moon, and stars to explain the season after Nero's suicide and the season of Titus' destruction of Jerusalem. The powers of Heaven referred to the power of governments; the sun, moon, and star metaphors were understood as rapid and disturbing changes in world powers (25-26). Many assume this was all second-coming language, but it is far more ominous. Jesus was clearly saying Israel, God's chosen people who had nationally rejected Christ, the Gospel, and His Kingdom, were at last suffering the consequences. How should any other nation or power suppose they would fare much better at the rejection of Christ?

• All of this destruction would be seen as the Son of Man’s coming as the great Judge (Daniel 7), bringing to an end the persecution of the Jesus-people at the hands of Judaism. The destruction of Judaism was the followers of Jesus’ vindication, for Judaism was their chief prosecutor, stirring up Rome against the Jesus community (27-28).  

The point of this was never to demonize any race of people, but to point out that the consequences of rejecting Christ were severe. Judgment is never immediate, but in the end, the Son of Man will not allow barbaric assaults against His people to stand unchallenged. Christ's commitment is bringing redemption near to those who trust Him. 

The Example of the Fig Tree (29-33) 

Jesus then used the fig tree as an example. The fig tree was the first tree in Palestine to show its leaves, declaring summer was coming (29-30). Jesus, in essence, was telling His followers that His word was absolute; what He had said would happen, and they could watch the time advance toward that event by watching what He predicted happen. The overthrow of Jerusalem was God's Kingdom’s coming near and settling things so the persecution of the Church could be ultimately righted. They could further be sure it was going to take place in their generation (31-32). Jesus drove home the grounds on which they could stake their faith—His words would not pass away (33).   

Warning to Be Alert (34-38)

Jesus, anticipating the time-distance between His Resurrection and the destruction of the Temple (40 years), encouraged His disciples to be watchful. Jesus knew the temptation to slip over to the other side and live for pleasure would be increasingly alluring as time moved on. They would face much upheaval with disasters and grave difficulties, but the Son of Man's dealing with Jerusalem would take 40 years, a generation of time.  

Followers would be sorely tempted to live for ease and pleasure and then be shocked as the day of judgment would spring on them suddenly like a trap (34).  

The whole world felt the impact of the 70 A.D. destruction and the instability that led to it (35). While Jesus' teaching was a pattern for His day, it was a warning to all. Judgments come upon all, for the rejection of a Savior who teaches love, inspires compassion, and resists all pride, ambition, greed, and hate against others, is Someone no one should reject. 

Jesus called for alertness, faithful attendance of prayer meetings, a concentration on being near Jesus and drawing on His strength so that when times of judgment came, they would be found standing and worshiping the Son of Man, remaining victorious through all times of judgment and difficulty (36). 

Jesus continued to teach daily at the Temple, crowds gathering in the early hours to hear Him. He would withdraw from the city at night, staying on the Mount of Olives (37-38).