Luke – Chapter 21

New Testament38 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And looking on, he saw the rich men cast their gifts into the treasury." — so begins Luke 21. Across its 38 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and justice and care for the poor. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And looking on, he saw the rich men cast their gifts into the treasury.

2And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in two brass mites.

3And he said: Verily, I say to you that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.

4For all these have of their abundance cast into the offerings of God: but she of her want hath cast in all the living that she had.

5And some saying of the temple that it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said:

6These things which you see, the days will come in which there shall not be left a stone upon a stone that shall not be thrown down.

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

8Who said: Take heed you be not seduced: for many will come in my name, saying: I am he and the time is at hand. Go ye not therefore after them.

9And when you shall hear of wars and seditions, be not terrified. These things must first come to pass: but the end is not yet presently.

10Then he said to them: Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

11And there shall be great earthquakes in divers places and pestilences and famines and terrors from heaven: and there shall be great signs.

12But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, dragging you before kings and governors, for my name's sake.

13And it shall happen unto you for a testimony.

14Lay it up therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before how you shall answer:

15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist and gainsay.

16And you shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren and kinsmen and friends: and some of you they will put to death.

17And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake.

18But a hair of your head shall not perish.

19In your patience you shall possess your souls.

20And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed about with an army, then know that the desolation thereof is at hand.

21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains: and those who are in the midst thereof depart out: and those who are in the countries not enter into it.

22For these are the days of vengeance, that all things may be fulfilled, that are written.

23But woe to them that are with child and give suck in those days: for there shall be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.

24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captives into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles till the times of the nations be fulfilled.

25And there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea, and of the waves:

26Men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved.

27And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with great power and majesty.

28But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand.

29And he spoke to them a similitude. See the fig tree and all the trees:

30When they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh;

31So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.

32Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled.

33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34And take heed to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life: and that day come upon you suddenly.

35For as a snare shall it come upon all that sit upon the face of the whole earth.

36Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come and to stand before the Son of man.

37And in the daytime, he was teaching in the temple: but at night going out, he abode in the mount that is called Olivet.

38And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him.

Important Verses in Luke 21

And looking on, he saw the rich men cast their gifts into the treasury.

Luke 21:1

For all these have of their abundance cast into the offerings of God: but she of her want hath cast in all the living that she had.

Luke 21:4

So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.

Luke 21:31

And take heed to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life: and that day come upon you suddenly.

Luke 21:34

Historical Context

Luke addresses gentile Christians, assured that salvation in Christ is for all peoples within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 21 of 24 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 38 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. It opens with the line: "And looking on, he saw the rich men cast their gifts into the treasury." The final verse reads: "And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him. " In terms of historical background, Luke, the only Gentile author in Scripture, wrote an ordered account 'for Theophilus' emphasizing God's mercy for the poor, sinners, women, and outsiders. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Luke around About AD 80-90.

Who Wrote It

Luke, the beloved physician, companion of St. Paul

When It Was Written

About AD 80-90

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Luke 21 unfolds through 38 verses that carry forward the message of Jesus as Savior of all peoples, especially the poor. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And looking on, he saw the rich men cast their gifts into the treasury." The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2683). Here, Luke emphasizes God's mercy and the role of the Holy Spirit (CIC 714). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's kingdom and kingship as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Luke 21 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Luke Chapter 21 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Luke emphasizes God's mercy and the role of the Holy Spirit (CIC 714). The passage calls believers to grasp that The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.

Let Luke Chapter 21 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Luke Chapter 21 about?

Luke 21 contains 38 verses. It opens with "And looking on, he saw the rich men cast their gifts into the treasury." and closes with "And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, to hear him. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Luke 21?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And looking on, he saw the rich men cast their gifts into the treasury." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Luke and when?

Luke, the beloved physician, companion of St. Paul. About AD 80-90.

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