29 Then He told them a parable : "Behold the fig tree and all the trees ; 30 as soon e as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near . 31 "So you also , when you see these things happening , recognize that the kingdom of God is near . 32 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place . 33 " Heaven and earth will pass away , but My words will not pass away . 34 " Be on guard , so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life , and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap ; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth . 36 "But keep on the alert at all times , praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place , and to stand before the Son of Man ." 37 Now during the day He was teaching in the temple , but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet . 38 And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 21:29-38
Commentary on Luke 21:29-38
(Read Luke 21:29-38)
Christ tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times, which they might judge by. He charges them to look upon the ruin of the Jewish nation as near. Yet this race and family of Abraham shall not be rooted out; it shall survive as a nation, and be found as prophesied, when the Son of man shall be revealed. He cautions them against being secure and sensual. This command is given to all Christ's disciples, Take heed to yourselves, that ye be not overpowered by temptations, nor betrayed by your own corruptions. We cannot be safe, if we are carnally secure. Our danger is, lest the day of death and of judgment should come upon us when we are not prepared. Lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be the furthest from our thoughts, which ought to be nearest our hearts. For so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven. It will be a terror and a destruction to them. Here see what should be our aim, that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things; that when the judgements of God are abroad, we may not be in the common calamity, or it may not be that to us which it is to others. Do you ask how you may be found worthy to stand before Christ at that day? Those who never yet sought Christ, let them now go unto him; those who never yet were humbled for their sins, let them now begin; those who have already begun, let them go forward and be kept humbled. Watch therefore, and pray always. Watch against sin; watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world, who live a life of prayer in this world. May we begin, employ, and conclude each day attending to Christ's word, obeying his precepts, and following his example, that whenever he comes we may be found watching.