Luke 21:26-28

21:26 People will be fainting from fear ¹  and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²  21:27 Then ³  they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud ⁴  with power and great glory. 21:28 But when these things ⁵  begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption ⁶  is drawing near.”

[21:26]  ¹ 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]  ² 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]  ³ tn Grk “And then” (καὶ τότε, kai tote). Here καί has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[21:27]  ⁴ sn An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full judging authority.

[21:28]  ⁵ sn These things are all the events of vv. 8-27. Disciples represent the righteous here. The events surrounding the fall of the nation are a down payment on a fuller judgment to come on all humanity. The presence of one guarantees the other.

[21:28]  ⁶ sn With Jesus’ return comes the manifestation of judgment and final salvation (redemption).