The Arrival of the Son of Man

25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity from the noise of the sea and its surging, 26 people fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.[a] 27 And then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud[b] with power and great glory. 28 But when[c] these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!”

The Parable of the Fig Tree

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they put out foliage,[d] now you see for yourselves and[e] know that by this time the summer is near. 31 So also you, when you see these things happening, know[f] that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I say to you that this generation will never pass away until all things take place! 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Be Alert

34 “But take care for yourselves, lest your hearts are weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of daily life, and that day come upon you suddenly 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who reside on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 So throughout the days he was teaching in the temple courts,[g] and throughout the nights he was going out and[h] spending the night on the hill that is called the Mount of Olives.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 21:26 An allusion to Isa 34:4
  2. Luke 21:27 An allusion to Dan 7:13
  3. Luke 21:28 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“begin”)
  4. Luke 21:30 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  5. Luke 21:30 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“see”) has been translated as a finite verb
  6. Luke 21:31 Or “you know”
  7. Luke 21:37 *Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  8. Luke 21:37 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“was going out”) has been translated as a finite verb

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.”

37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple,(L) and each evening he went out(M) to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,(N)

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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.”

37 Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.

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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.