The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

13 As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” ² Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”^(A)

³ When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,^{(B) 4} “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” ⁵ Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray.^{(C) 6} Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’^[a] and they will lead many astray.^{(D) 7} When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. ⁸ For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁴ “But in those days, after that suffering,

²⁶ “Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.^{(B) 27} Then he will send out the angels and gather the^[a] elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

²⁸ “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he^[b] is near, at the very gates. ³⁰ Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.^{(C) 31} Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.^(D)

The Necessity for Watchfulness

³² “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father.^{(E) 33} Beware, keep alert,^[c] for you do not know when the time will come.^{(F) 34} It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.^{(G) 35} Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn,^{(H) 36} or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. ³⁷ And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”