Luke 21:24-27

21:24 They ¹  will fall by the edge ²  of the sword and be led away as captives ³  among all nations. Jerusalem ⁴  will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. ⁵ 

The Arrival of the Son of Man

21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, ⁶  and on the earth nations will be in distress, ⁷  anxious ⁸  over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. 21:26 People will be fainting from fear ⁹  and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ¹⁰  21:27 Then ¹¹  they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud ¹²  with power and great glory.

[21:24]  ¹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[21:24]  ² tn Grk “by the mouth of the sword” (an idiom for the edge of a sword).

[21:24]  ³ sn Here is the predicted judgment against the nation until the time of Gentile rule has passed: Its people will be led away as captives.

[21:24]  ⁴ tn Grk “And Jerusalem.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[21:24]  ⁵ sn Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled implies a time when Israel again has a central role in God’s plan.

[21:25]  ⁶ sn Signs in the sun and moon and stars are cosmic signs that turn our attention to the end and the Son of Man’s return for the righteous. OT imagery is present: See Isa 13:9-10; 24:18-20; 34:4; Ezek 32:7-8; Joel 2:1, 30-31; 3:15.

[21:25]  ⁷ tn Grk “distress of nations.”

[21:25]  ⁸ tn Or “in consternation” (L&N 32.9).

[21:26]  ⁹ tn According to L&N 23.184 this could be mainly a psychological experience rather than actual loss of consciousness. It could also refer to complete discouragement because of fear, leading people to give up hope (L&N 25.293).

[21:26]  ¹⁰ sn An allusion to Isa 34:4. The heavens were seen as the abode of heavenly forces, so their shaking indicates distress in the spiritual realm. Although some take the powers as a reference to bodies in the heavens (like stars and planets, “the heavenly bodies,” NIV) this is not as likely.

[21:27]  ¹¹ tn Grk “And then” (καὶ τότε, kai tote). Here καί has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[21:27]  ¹² sn An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full judging authority.