20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those who are inside the city must depart. Those who are out in the country must not enter it, 22because these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led away as captives among all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25“And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth nations will be in distress, anxious over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. 26People will be fainting from fear and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud with power and great glory. 28But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”
29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near. 31So also you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34“But be on your guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap. 35For it will overtake all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37So every day Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, but at night he went and stayed on the Mount of Olives. 38And all the people came to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts.
1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. 2The chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find some way to execute Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.
3Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. 4He went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he might betray Jesus, handing him over to them. 5They were delighted and arranged to give him money. 6So Judas agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus when no crowd was present.