Luke 21:34

Be Ready!

21:34 “But be on your guard ¹  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. ² 

Luke 21:36

21:36 But stay alert at all times, ³  praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must ⁴  happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

¹ tn Grk “watch out for yourselves.”

² 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 sn The call to be alert at all times is a call to remain faithful in looking for the Lord’s return.

⁴ tn For the translation of μέλλω (mellw) as “must,” see L&N 71.36.