Lukas 21:9

21:9 And when you hear of wars and rebellions, ¹  do not be afraid. ²  For these things must happen first, but the end will not come at once.” ³ 

Lukas 21:25

The Arrival of the Son of Man

21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, ⁴  and on the earth nations will be in distress, ⁵  anxious ⁶  over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves.

Lukas 21:27

21:27 Then ⁷  they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud ⁸  with power and great glory.

Lukas 21:31

21:31 So also you, when you see these things happening, know ⁹  that the kingdom of God ¹⁰  is near.

[21:9]  ¹ tn Social and political chaos also precedes the end. This term refers to revolutions (L&N 39.34).

[21:9]  ² tn This is not the usual term for fear, but refers to a deep sense of terror and emotional distress (Luke 24:37; BDAG 895 s.v. πτοέω).

[21:9]  ³ sn The end will not come at once. This remark about timing not only indicates that there will be events before the end, but that some time will also pass before it comes.

[21:25]  ⁴ 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]  ⁵ tn Grk “distress of nations.”

[21:25]  ⁶ tn Or “in consternation” (L&N 32.9).

[21:27]  ⁷ tn Grk “And then” (καὶ τότε, kai tote). Here καί has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[21:27]  ⁸ sn An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full judging authority.

[21:31]  ⁹ tn The verb γινώσκετε (ginwskete, “know”) can be parsed as either present indicative or present imperative. In this context the imperative fits better, since the movement is from analogy (trees and seasons) to the future (the signs of the coming of the kingdom) and since the emphasis is on preparation for this event.

[21:31]  ¹⁰ sn The kingdom of God refers here to the kingdom in all its power. See Luke 17:20-37.