v1-4: Ordinary Jewish religion was out of line with Scripture. They exalted the physical, and neglected the spiritual. The appearance mattered more than the heart. Jesus commended the woman of self-sacrifice.

Note too our Lord's priorities: He was not so occupied with recent discussions, or even with those imminent events, but observed people bringing their gifts to God. He was not blinded by the large gifts of the wealthy, and their appearance; and He did not miss the tiny offering brought by the poor widow. Truly the Lord looks on the heart.

The 'court of the women' had thirteen boxes for offerings, each for different purposes; this is also referred to in John 8.20. The women gave all her available money, all she had to live on; this was indeed a great sacrifice. The Lord contrasted this with those who gave such that it was no real sacrifice.

v5-7: The disciples were in the environs of the temple. Again, the Jew gave great importance to the temple. But Jesus spoke of the time when not even one stone would be left upon another. Since that would be such a serious time for the Jewish people, their very destiny being linked with the temple, the question followed concerning when the temple would be destroyed. Again, the material is declared to be unimportant; the adornment of the temple useless against the coming disaster. To a wider audience, these words would have been considered almost blasphemous; the temple (in its various forms) had been the centre of worship for centuries, Jews from throughout the world directed their prayers there, yet the Lord Jesus clearly spoke of its imminent destruction.

v8: The Lord's first warning; many false christs. Through all future events a common problem will be that of deception. The danger is that the Lord's people can be deceived, see Acts 5.36-37; 21.38.

v9-11: Signs on earth; rumours of wars and revolutions will be followed by the real thing. These events are a precursor to "the end." There was some fulfilment following the Lord's ascension, up to and including 70 A.D., when Jerusalem was razed to the ground; but a greater fulfilment is yet to come, as the time of great tribulation approaches.

First century historians report many deaths from famine and pestilence in Judea. Some speak of a sign of a flaming sword over Jerusalem, a comet in the sky for a whole year, chariots and soldiers in the skies. Such things are referred to by Josephus and Tacitus, well-respected for their accuracy. But, since they had no sympathy for Christians, we would not expect them to intend to confirm scriptural statements.

v12-13: Before those events, there will be a general persecution of believers.

v14-15: In the time of persecution, the Lord will give the right words for His people to speak. This is a promise for the time of persecution, not for general use; it is certainly not a reason not to prepare for a teaching or preaching opportunity.

Stephen brought a fulfilment of these words; they were not able to resist the spirit and the wisdom by which he spoke, Acts 6.10. He too had been brought to the Council (Acts 6.12). The Lord's words here are a further proof of His deity - not but God can give to His followers such words and wisdom.

v16-19: Persecution will set family members against each other. But God's people have a promise that "not a hair of your head will perish." Thus, by His strength they will stand firm. Persecution is not something that need weaken our faith, but rather a means through which God will strengthen our faith.

The teaching to this point makes no special reference to Jews or Israel. The general conditions prevailing may be experienced by Christians before Christ's return for the church.

v20-24: Our attention is brought back to Jerusalem, where the temple will be destroyed. Armies surrounded the city, there was desolation. This happened under Nebuchadnezzar, and later in AD 70.

This section has several references to: Jerusalem and Israel; Judea, the city, the land, this people. Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles; Gk PATEO (to trample / tread down), used in Rev 11.2. More than one million Jews were killed in the city, and around 100,000 taken captive.

Jesus mentions the times of the Gentiles, a time of Gentile domination, which began under Nebuchadnezzar. It is a time also of blessing upon the Gentile people; Rom 11.25-26 refers to the fullness of the Gentiles, after which great blessing will once again fall upon the Jewish people.

The Lord's command for His followers to leave the city is not an invitation to abandon their faith. It is not unbelief that makes a disciple use sensible means to avoid harm for himself and his family. To seek danger, or to choose to remain in a place of danger, when the Lord has commanded flight, is neither faithful nor wise. In fact, there was an attack on Jerusalem around 67 A.D., by Cestius Gallus, but, with no apparent reason, he withdrew from the city. Many Christians recalled the Lord's words here, and fled the city. When the greater and more well-known attack came three years later, very few Christians remained to be slaughtered.

v25-26: Worldwide signs will cause fear for many. The Lord described signs in the skies, nations in turmoil, and seas also - there will be no escape from the fear; all of mankind will experience this. We would also resist any explanation that restricts these words to figurative language. The Lord Jesus speaks of things that will happen.

v27-28: The Son of Man will come in a cloud. For the true believer this is a sign of great hope. Contrast Rev 1.7 where those who do not believe will mourn because of Him. "Redemption" is used in a broad sense here, to indicate the full deliverance of body, soul, and spirit - see Rom 8.23; Eph 1.14; 4.30.

v29-32: These difficult times will be limited to one generation. The events that Jesus described precede the coming of the kingdom of God. The major lesson here for Christ's disciples is that they be watchful. Whilst we are not all prophets, we should all study the signs of the times.

v33: Through all the difficult times, our confidence is in Christ, and His words, which shall never pass away. The world may scoff, and even believers may doubt the truth of these things, but the Lord underlines their reality - the world will pass away before His words do.

v34-36: The challenge to forsake sins. The prediction of future events is a strong motivation to godly living, not the basis for endless speculation. We are not to be weighed down by worldly cares, but rather to be ready for His coming.

There will be no escape, for His coming will affect all who live on the earth. Such a statement is inconsistent with the claim of a secret, local, coming, which some teach.

v37-38: Jesus continued to teach in the temple, attracting crowds.