21:1 And 1 he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their
gifts into the treasury.
(1) According to the judgment of God, the poor may even exceed
the rich in generosity and liberality.
21:52 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned
with goodly stones and a gifts, he said,
(2) The destruction of the temple is foretold so that the true
spiritual building may be built, whose chief builders must
and ought to be cautious.
(a) These were things that were hung up on walls and
pillars.
21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many
shall come b in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the
time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
(b) Using my name.
21:93 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not
terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but
the end [is] not by and by.
(3) The true temple of God is built up even in the midst of
incredible tumults and most severe miseries, and this
through invincible patience, so that the end result can be
nothing else but most happy.
21:13 And it shall turn to you for c a testimony.
(c) This will be the result of your troubles and
afflictions: they will be witnesses both before God
and man of the treacherous and cruel dealing of your
enemies, as well as of your steadfastness: A noble
saying, that the afflictions of the godly and holy men
pertain to the witness of the truth.
21:19 In your patience d possess ye your souls.
(d) Though you are surrounded on all sides with many
miseries, yet nonetheless be valiant and courageous,
and bear out these things bravely.
21:204 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies,
then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
(4) The final destruction of the whole city is foretold.
21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that
give suck, in those days! for there shall be great
distress in the land, and e wrath upon this people.
(e) By "wrath" are meant those things which God sends when
he is displeased.
21:24 And they shall fall by the f edge of the sword, and
shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem
shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of
the Gentiles be fulfilled.
(f) Literally, "mouth", for the Hebrews call the edge of a
sword the mouth because the edge of the sword bites.
21:25g And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon,
and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
(g) When the times have expired which are appointed for
the salvation of the Gentiles and the punishment of
the Jews: And so he changes topics from the
destruction of Jerusalem to the history of the latter
judgment.
21:265 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking
after those things which are coming on the earth: for the
powers of heaven shall be shaken.
(5) After various severe trials the Lord will at last plainly
appear to deliver his Church.
21:296 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree,
and all the trees;
(6) We must be sober and watchful both day and night for the
Lord's coming, so that we are not taken unexpectedly.
21:35 For as a snare shall it come h on all them that dwell on
the face of the whole earth.
(h) On all men wherever they may be.
21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be
accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall
come to pass, and to i stand before the Son of man.
(i) You will appear before him in a condition such that
you will abide the presence and sentence of the Judge
without fear.
