34 “But (A)be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that [a]this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth. 36 But (B)stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to (C)stand before the Son of Man.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:34 Lit that day

Be Ready!

34 “But be on your guard[a] 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.[b] 35 For[c] it will overtake[d] all who live on the face of the whole earth.[e] 36 But stay alert at all times,[f] praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must[g] happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:34 tn Grk “watch out for yourselves.”sn Disciples are to watch out. If they are too absorbed into everyday life, they will stop watching and living faithfully.
  2. Luke 21:34 sn Or like a thief, see Luke 12:39-40. The metaphor of a trap is a vivid one. Most modern English translations traditionally place the words “like a trap” at the end of v. 34, completing the metaphor. In the Greek text (and in the NRSV and REB) the words “like a trap” are placed at the beginning of v. 35. This does not affect the meaning.
  3. Luke 21:35 tn There is debate in the textual tradition about the position of γάρ (gar) and whether v. 35 looks back to v. 34 or is independent. The textual evidence does slightly favor placing γάρ after the verb and thus linking it back to v. 34. The other reading looks like Isa 24:17. However, the construction is harsh and the translation prefers for stylistic reasons to start a new English sentence here.
  4. Luke 21:35 tn Or “come upon.”
  5. Luke 21:35 sn This judgment involves everyone: all who live on the face of the whole earth. No one will escape this evaluation.
  6. Luke 21:36 sn The call to be alert at all times is a call to remain faithful in looking for the Lord’s return.
  7. Luke 21:36 tn For the translation of μέλλω (mellō) as “must,” see L&N 71.36.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

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