25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.(A) 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.(B) 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man(C) coming in a cloud(D) with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(E)

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God(F) is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation(G) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(H)

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,(I) and that day will close on you suddenly(J) like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray(K) that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

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The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars;(A) and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring sea and waves.(B) 26 People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the celestial powers will be shaken.(C) 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud(D) with power and great glory.(E) 28 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!”(F)

The Parable of the Fig Tree

29 Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize[a] that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place.(G) 33 Heaven and earth will pass away,(H) but My words will never pass away.(I)

The Need for Watchfulness

34 “Be on your guard,(J) so that your minds are not dulled[b] from carousing,[c] drunkenness,(K) and worries of life,(L) or that day will come on you unexpectedly(M) 35 like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert at all times,(N) praying that you may have strength[d] to escape(O) all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:31 Or you know
  2. Luke 21:34 Lit your hearts are not weighed down
  3. Luke 21:34 Or hangovers
  4. Luke 21:36 Other mss read you may be counted worthy

25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man[a] coming on a cloud with power and great glory.[b] 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

29 Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. 30 When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. 32 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

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Footnotes

  1. 21:27a “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
  2. 21:27b See Dan 7:13.

The Coming of the Son of Man(A)

25 (B)“There will be strange things happening to the sun, the moon, and the stars. On earth whole countries will be in despair, afraid of the roar of the sea and the raging tides. 26 People will faint from fear as they wait for what is coming over the whole earth, for the powers in space will be driven from their courses. 27 (C)Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in a cloud with great power and glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your salvation is near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree(D)

29 Then Jesus told them this parable: “Think of the fig tree and all the other trees. 30 When you see their leaves beginning to appear, you know that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that the Kingdom of God is about to come.

32 “Remember that all these things will take place before the people now living have all died. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Need to Watch

34 “Be careful not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day may suddenly catch you 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth. 36 Be on watch and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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25 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;

26 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.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

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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