Lukas 17:24

17:24 For just like the lightning flashes ¹  and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. ² 

Lukas 21:25-28

The Arrival of the Son of Man

21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, ³  and on the earth nations will be in distress, ⁴  anxious ⁵  over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. 21:26 People will be fainting from fear ⁶  and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ⁷  21:27 Then ⁸  they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud ⁹  with power and great glory. 21:28 But when these things ¹⁰  begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption ¹¹  is drawing near.”

[17:24]  ¹ sn The Son of Man’s coming in power will be sudden and obvious like lightning. No one will need to point it out.

[17:24]  ² tc Some very important mss (Ì⁷⁵ B D it sa) lack the words ἐν τῇ ἡμέρα αὐτοῦ (en th Jhmera autou, “in his day”), but the words are included in א A L W Θ Ψ Ë^1,13 Ï lat sy bo. On the one hand, the shorter reading is impressive because it has some of the best Alexandrian and Western witnesses in support; on the other hand, the expression ἐν τῇ ἡμέρα αὐτοῦ is unusual (found nowhere else in the NT), and may be considered the harder reading. A decision is difficult, but it is probably best to retain the words. NA²⁷ rightly has the words in brackets, expressing doubt as to their authenticity.

[21:25]  ³ 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]  ⁴ tn Grk “distress of nations.”

[21:25]  ⁵ tn Or “in consternation” (L&N 32.9).

[21:26]  ⁶ 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]  ⁷ 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]  ⁸ tn Grk “And then” (καὶ τότε, kai tote). Here καί has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[21:27]  ⁹ sn An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full judging authority.

[21:28]  ¹⁰ 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]  ¹¹ sn With Jesus’ return comes the manifestation of judgment and final salvation (redemption).