25"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth anguish among nations in perplexity at the roaring and surging of the sea, [21:26] people expiring from fear and dread of what is coming upon the inhabited world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [21:27] And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [21:28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
LUK 21:25-28
The Return of the Son of Man
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Roman world, cosmic signs and natural disasters were often interpreted as divine portents, signaling upheaval or the displeasure of the gods. The mention of 'signs in sun and moon and stars' would evoke familiar apocalyptic imagery, resonating with Jewish apocalyptic literature like Daniel and Enoch, where celestial disturbances heralded divine intervention. The 'distress of nations' and 'perplexity' reflect the political and social instability of the Roman Empire, where conquered peoples lived under the constant threat of imperial violence and economic exploitation. The 'sound of the sea and rolling surge' would evoke fear of chaos, as the sea symbolized untamed disorder in both Jewish and Greco-Roman thought. The 'inhabited world' specifically points to the Roman Empire, suggesting that these events would disrupt the imperial order. The 'Son of Man coming in a cloud' draws on Daniel 7:13, signaling divine judgment and the restoration of God’s people. For Jewish listeners, this would evoke hope for liberation from Roman oppression and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
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How other translations render this
LUK 21:25
- KJV
- 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;
- BSB
- There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves.
- Koinōnos
- And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth anguish among nations in perplexity at the roaring and surging of the sea,
LUK 21:26
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
- Koinōnos
- people expiring from fear and dread of what is coming upon the inhabited world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
LUK 21:27
- KJV
- And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
- BSB
- At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
- Koinōnos
- And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
LUK 21:28
- KJV
- And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
- BSB
- When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
- Koinōnos
- When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 21:25
- distress:The word translated 'distress' here implies a deep, internal anguish or being hemmed in by circumstances, suggesting a profound sense of being trapped or overwhelmed.
- perplexity:The term used here for 'perplexity' suggests a state of being without a way out, a complete lack of resources or solutions, leading to utter bewilderment.
LUK 21:26
- when are fainting:The phrase translated 'when are fainting' literally means to breathe out one's life or spirit, indicating a profound physical and emotional collapse, not just a temporary swoon.
- earth;:The word translated 'earth' specifically refers to the 'inhabited world' or the 'civilized world' as understood in the ancient Mediterranean, not the entire planet.