Our Lord discusses his return in Matthew 24 & 25, Mark 13, and Luke 21. The first table (pages 1-5) compares the parallel passages from each of these three sources. The order of the words from each of these is unchanged, and nothing has been left out.
Matthew’s account continues with the parable of the ten virgins, Matthew 25: 1-13 which I have placed after the first table (page 5).
In addition Matthew gives a parable (Matthew 25:14-30) which is very like the one in Luke 19, and so these two are placed side by side in the second table (page 7).
Matthew concludes his account with 16 verses (Matt 25: 31-46) which are placed after the second table (page 7).
In the third table (pages 7 & 8) I have compared some passages from Luke 17 which are similar to some of the ones from Matthew 24 and Mark 13, which are featured also in the first table.
Our Lord’s words are in italics throughout.
First Table
| MATTHEW 24 | MARK 13 | LUKE 21 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 And going out, Jesus departed from the temple and his disciples came up to point out to him the buildings of the temple. | 1 And as he was going out of the temple one of his disciples says to him,“Teacher, look! What stones and what buildings!” | 5 And as some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, |
| 2 And Jesus said to them, You see all these things don’t you? Truly I’m telling you there definitely won’t be left here one stone on another which won’t be thrown down! | 2 And Jesus answering, said to him, Do you see these great buildings? There definitely won’t be left one stone on another which won’t be thrown down! | he said, 6 These things you’re looking at, the days will come in which there won’t be left one stone on another which won’t be thrown down! |
| 3 And as he was sitting on the mount of Olives the disciples came up to him privately saying, | 3 And as he was sitting on the mount of Olives, opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, | 7 And they asked him saying, |
| “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the completion of the age?” | 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things are going to be completed?” | “Teacher, when will these things be then? And what the sign these things are about to happen?” |
| 4 And answering Jesus said to them, Watch out in case anyone misleads you. 5 For many will come in my name saying, ‘I am the Christ!’ and they’ll mislead many. | 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Watch out in case anyone misleads you. 6 For many will come in my name saying that it’s me and they’ll mislead many. | 8 And he said, Watch out that you’re not misled, for many will come in my name saying ‘It’s me’ and ‘The time has drawn near’ - Don’t go after them! |
| 6 And you’re going to hear of wars and rumours of wars, see you aren’t troubled, for all these things must happen, but the end isn’t yet. | 7 And when you hear of wars and rumours of wars, don’t be troubled, for it must happen, but the end is not yet. | 9 And when you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end is not immediately. |
| 7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there’ll be famines and epidemics and earthquakes in various places. | 8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there’ll be earthquakes in various places and there’ll be famines and disturbances. | 10 Then he said to them, Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, 11 there’ll also be great earthquakes in different places, and there’ll be famines and epidemics, and there’ll be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. |
| 8 And all these are the beginning of sufferings. | These are the beginnings of sufferings. | |
| 9 Then they’ll hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you’ll be hated by all nations because of my name. 10 And then many will be offended and they’ll betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and will mislead many, 12 and because wickedness will have been multiplied, the love of many will grow cold; 13 but the one who endures to the end, the same will be saved. 14 And this joyful news of the kingdom will be proclaimed all over the world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. | 9 But you watch out for yourselves for they’ll hand you over to councils and assemblies. You’ll be beaten and you’ll be brought before governors and kings on account of me, for a testimony to them, 10 and the joyful news must first be proclaimed to all the nations. 11 But whenever they lead you off, handing you over, don’t worry before, what you should say, nor think it over, but whatever is given to you at the time: say that! For you aren’t doing the speaking, but the Holy Spirit.12 And brother will hand over brother to death, and the father the child, and children will rise up against parents and will put them to death. 13 And you’ll be hated by everyone on account of my name, but he who endures to the end: he will be saved. | 12 But before all these things they’ll lay their hands on you and they’ll persecute you, handing you over to assemblies and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors on account of my name, 13 but it’ll turn for you into a testimony. 14 So settle in your hearts not to premeditate your defence, 15 for I’ll give you a mouth and wisdom, which all those opposing you won’t be able to reply to, nor to resist.16 But you’ll be handed over even by parents and brethren and relations and friends, and they’ll put some of you to death, 17 and you’ll be hated by all, because of my name. 18 And not a hair of your head will perish at all. 19 By your patient endurance gain your souls. |
| 15 So when you see the abomination of the desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place - let he who is reading understand - 16 then let those in Judaea flee to the mountains. | 14 But when you see the abomination of the desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not - let he who is reading understand - then let those in Judaea flee to the mountains. | 20 And when you see Jerusalem encircled by armies, then know that her desolation has drawn near. 21 Then let those in Judaea flee to the mountains, and those in her midst, let them get out, and those in the countryside let them not go into her, 22 for these are days of avenging, so that all things which have been written may be fulfilled. |
| 17 Let not the one on the house-top come down to take anything out of his house, 18 and let not the one in the field go back to take his garments. | 15 And let not the man on the house-top come down into the house, nor go inside to take anything out of his house, 16 and let not he who is in the field return to the things behind him to fetch his garment. | No parallel here but compare Luke 17: 31 (Third Table) |
| 19 and woe to those who are expecting and to those suckling children in those days! | 17 And woe to those who are expecting and to those suckling children in those days! | 23 And woe to those expecting and to those suckling children in those days, |
| 20 And pray that your flight doesn’t occur in winter or on a Sabbath, 21 for then there’ll be great affliction such as hasn’t been since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be. | 18 And pray that your flight doesn’t occur in winter. 19 For in those days there’ll be affliction the like of which hasn’t been seen since the beginning of the creation which God created, until now, and neither will be. | for there’ll be great distress on the earth and anger among this people. |
| 22 And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved, but because of the chosen ones those days will be shortened. | 20 And unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved, but because of the chosen ones whom he selected, he has shortened the days. | |
| 24 And they’ll fall by the sword’s mouth and they’ll be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trodden down by Gentiles until the Gentiles’ times are fulfilled. | ||
| 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look: here is Christ!’ or ‘Here!’ Don’t believe it! 24 For there’ll arise false Christs and false prophets and they’ll display great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. | 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is Christ! or ‘Look there!’ don’t believe it, 22 for there’ll arise false Christs and false prophets and they’ll display signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even the chosen ones. | No parallel here but compare Luke 17: 23 (Third Table) |
| 25 Look, I’ve foretold you! | 23 But you: watch out! Look, I’ve foretold you everything! | |
| 26 So if they say to you, ‘Look, he’s in the desert!’ Don’t go out; ‘Look, he’s in secluded rooms!’ don’t believe it! 27 For as the lightning comes out from the east and appears as far as the west, so too will be the coming of the Son of man. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. | No parallel here but compare Luke 17: 24 & 37 (Third Table) | |
| 29 But, immediately after the affliction of those days, the sun will be darkened and the moon won’t give her light, and the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. | 24 But in those days, after that affliction, the sun will be darkened, and the moon won’t give her light, 25 and the stars of heaven will be falling and the powers which are in heaven will be shaken. | 25 And there’ll be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations with perplexity, roaring and tempestuous motion of the sea, 26 men fainting at heart from fear and dread of what is coming on the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. |
| 30 And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in the heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will wail, and they’ll see the Son of man coming on the clouds of the heaven with power and great glory. | 26 And then they’ll see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. | 27 And then they’ll see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. |
| 31 And he’ll send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they’ll gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. | 27 And then he’ll send his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the extremity of earth to the extremity of heaven. | |
| 28 But these things beginning to happen, look up and lift up your heads because your redemption is approaching! | ||
| 32 And from the fig tree learn the parable: as soon as its branch has become tender and puts out the leaves, you know the summer’s near. | 28 And from the fig tree learn the parable: as soon as its branch has become tender and puts out leaves, you know that summer’s near. | 29 And he told them a parable, Look at the fig tree, and all the trees: 30 already, when they sprout, looking at them you know yourselves that summer’s near. |
| 33 So too you, when you see all these things, know that it’s near - at the doors. | 29 So too you, when you see these things happening, know that it’s near - at the doors. | 31 So too you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. |
| 34 Truly I’m telling you, this generation will definitely not have passed away until all these things have happened. | 30 Truly I’m telling you that this generation will definitely not have passed away until all these things have happened. | 32 Truly I’m telling you that this generation will definitely not have passed away until all has happened. |
| 35 The heaven and the earth will pass away but my words will definitely not pass away. | 31 The heaven and the earth will pass away but my words will definitely not pass away. | 33 The heaven and the earth will pass away but my words will definitely not pass away. |
| 36 But about that day and the hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but only my Father. | 32 But about that day, and the hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. | |
| 37 But like the days of Noah, so too will be the coming of the Son of man. 38 For as they were in the days which were before the flood, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark, 39 and they didn’t know until the flood came and took all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of man. | No parallel here but compare Luke 17: 26 & 27 (Third Table) | |
| 40 Then two will be in the field, the one is taken and the one is left, 41 two women grinding at the mill, one is taken and one is left. | No parallel here but compare Luke 17: 35 & 36 (Third Table) | |
| 42 So keep awake, for you don’t know at what time your Lord is coming. 43 But know this: that if the householder had known in what watch the thief is coming, he’d have stayed awake and not have allowed his house to be dug through. 44 Because of this you too be ready, for in the hour you don’t expect the Son of man is coming!45 Who then is the faithful and prudent servant whom his lord has set over his household, to give them food at the right time? 46 Blessed is that servant whose lord, having come, will find doing thus. 47 Truly I’m telling you he’ll put him in charge of all his property.48 But if that bad servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying coming’ 49 and should start to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken, 50 that servant’s lord will come in a day he doesn’t expect, and in an hour he doesn’t know, 51 and he’ll cut him in two, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites, - there’ll be weeping and gnashing of teeth. | 33 Look out, stay awake and pray, for you don’t know when the time is. 34 It’s like a man going out of the country, leaving his house and giving authority to his servants and to each one his work, and he commanded the door-keeper that he should watch. 35 So keep awake! For you don’t know when the master of the house is coming: in the evening, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or in the morning, 36 in case coming suddenly he should find you sleeping.37 And what I’m telling you, I’m saying to everyone: ‘Stay awake!!’ | 34 But watch out for yourselves in case your hearts are weighed down with debauchery and drinking and cares of life, and that day should come on you suddenly, 35 for as a snare it’ll come on all those living on the face of the earth. 36 So be watchful at all times, praying so that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of man. |
1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be likened to ten virgins who, having taken their lamps, went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were prudent, and five foolish. 3 The foolish, having taken their lamps, didn’t take oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in their containers with their lamps. 5 But the bridegroom tarrying they all got drowsy and fell asleep. 6 But in the middle of the night there was a cry, ‘Look, the bridegroom’s comng! Go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us from your oil, for our lamps are going out!’ 9 But the prudent answered saying, ‘In case there’s not enough for us and you, go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves!’ 10 But as they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and the ones ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut. 11 And afterwards the other virgins come also saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answering, said, ‘Truly I’m telling you I don’t know you!’ 13 So stay awake, for you don’t know the day or the hour in which the Son of man is coming!
Second Table
| MATTHEW 25:14-30 | LUKE 19:11-27 |
|---|---|
| 14 For it’s like a man leaving the country, who called his own servants and handed over his property to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents and to another two, and to another, one: to each according to his own capability, and he left the country at once. 16 And having gone, the one receiving the five talents traded with them and made another five talents. 17 Similarly also the one with the two gained also another two. 18 But he who had received the one, having gone away, dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money. 19 And after a long time the lord of those servants comes and takes account with them. 20 And having come, the one who had received five talents brought the other five talents saying, ‘Lord, you handed over five talents to me. Look I’ve gained another five talents besides them!’ 21 And his lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, you’ve been faithful over a few things, I’ll set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord!’ 22 And he who had received the two talents having come too, said, ‘Lord, you handed over two talents to me. Look, I’ve gained another two talents besides them!’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, you’ve been faithful over a few things, I’ll set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord!’ 24 And he who had received the one talent having approached also, said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you’re a hard man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered, 25 and being afraid, having gone away, I hid your talent in the earth. Look, you have your own.’ 26 And answering, his lord said to him, ‘Wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I haven’t sown, and gather from where I haven’t scattered, 27 so you should have put my money to the money changers, and coming I would have received my own with interest. 28 So, take the talent away from him and give it to the one having the ten talents! 29 For to everyone who has, it will be given, and he will be in abundance, but from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away from him. 30 And throw out the useless servant into the outer darkness. There’ll be weeping and gnashing of teeth!’ |
11 And as they were listening to these things, in addition he told them a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. 12 So he said, A certain nobleman went off to a far away country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And having called ten of his servants he gave them ten minas and he said to them, ‘Trade until I come!’ 14 But the citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him saying, ‘We don’t want this one to reign over us!’ 15 And it happened on his returning, having received the kingdom, that he directed those servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him so that he might know what each had gained by trading. 16 And the first came up saying, ‘Lord, your mina has produced ten minas!’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well, good servant, because you’ve been faithful in a very little, you have authority over ten cities!’ 18 And the second came saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas!’ 19 And he said to this one also, ‘And you be over five cities!’ 20 And another came saying, ‘Lord, look, your mina which I’ve kept laid up in a handkerchief! 21 For I was frightened of you because you’re a severe man, you take up what you didn’t lay down and you reap what you didn’t sow!’ 22 But he says to him, ‘I’ll judge you out of your mouth, wicked servant: you knew that I’m a severe man, taking up what I didn’t lay down and reaping what I didn’t sow, 23 and why didn’t you give my money to the bank, and I, coming, might have taken it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those standing by, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to him who has the ten minas!’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord he’s got ten minas!’ 26 ‘For I’m telling you that to everyone who has, it’ll be given, but from him who doesn’t have, will be taken from him even that which he has. 27 Moreover those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them, bring them here, and kill them in front of me!’ |
31 But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he’ll sit on the throne of his glory, 32 and all the nations will be gathered in front of him, and he’ll separate them fom each other as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he’ll set the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, my Father’s blessed ones, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, I was a foreigner and you took me in, 36 naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and gave you to drink? 38 And when did we see you a foreigner and took you in, or naked and clothed you? 39 And when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came to you?’ 40 And answering, the king will say to them, ‘Truly I’m telling you, in so far as you did it to one of these, the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me!’ 41 Then he’ll speak also to those on the left, ‘Go away from me, the cursed, into the everlasting fire, which has been prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you didn’t give me to eat, I was thirsty and you didn’t give me to drink, 43 I was a foreigner and you didn’t take me in, naked and you didn’t clothe me, sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me!’ 44 Then they too will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a foreigner, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t look after you?’ 45 Then he’ll answer them saying, ‘Truly I’m telling you, in so far as you didn’t do it to one of these least, you didn’t do it to me!’ 46 And those will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life!
| LUKE 17:20-37 | from MATTHEW 24 | from MARK 13 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 And having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God is coming, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God doesn't come with observation, 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here!' or 'Look, there!' For look, the kingdom of God is inside you. 22 And he said to the disciples, Days will come when you'll long to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you won't see it. |
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| 23 And they'll say to you, 'Look, here!' or 'Look, there!' Don't go out or follow. | 23 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look: here is Christ!' or 'Here!' Don't believe it!... 26 So if they say to you, 'Look, he's in the desert!' Don't go out; 'Look, he's in secluded rooms!' don't believe it! |
21 And then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is Christ! or 'Look there!' don't believe it, |
| 24 For as lightning which lightens out of one part of heaven shines to the other part, so too will be the Son of man in his day. | 27 For as the lightning comes out from the east and appears as far as the west, so too will be the coming of the Son of man. | |
| 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. | ||
| 26 And as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of man. | 37 But like the days of Noah, so too will be the coming of the Son of man. | |
| 27 They were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage up till the day Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed all. | 38 For as they were in the days which were before the flood, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark, 39 and they didn't know until the flood came and took all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of man. | |
| 28 And similarly, as it happened in the days of Lot, they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building, 29 but on the day Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed all. 30 It will be like this in the day the Son of Man is revealed. |
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| 31 In that day, the one who is on the house top and his goods in the house, let him not come down to take them away; and he in the field, similarly, let him not return to the things behind. | 17 Let not the one on the house-top come down to take anything out of his house, 18 and let not the one in the field go back to take his garments. | 15 And let not the man on the house-top come down into the house, nor go inside to take anything out of his house, 16 and let not he who is in the field return to the things behind him to fetch his garment. |
| 32 Remember Lot's wife! 33 Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses it will preserve it. 34 I'm telling you, in that night there'll be two in one bed, the one will be taken, and the other will be left. |
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| 35 Two women will be grinding together, one will be taken, and the other left. 36 Two will be in the field, the one will be taken, and the other left. |
41 two women grinding at the mill, one is taken and one is left. 40 Then two will be in the field, the one is taken and the one is left, |
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| 37 And answering they say to him, "Where, Lord?"And he said to them, Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together! |
28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together! |
