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Wednesday, October 16th, 2024
the Week of Proper 23 / Ordinary 28
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Read the Bible

Green's Literal Translation

Luke 21:25

And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. And on the earth will be anxiety of nations with bewilderment, roaring of sea and of surf,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Astronomy;   Israel, Prophecies Concerning;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena;   Moon;   Sun;   War;   Watchfulness;   The Topic Concordance - Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ;   End of the World;   Heaven/the Heavens;   Kingdom of God;   Redemption;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Jerusalem;   Moon, the;   Sea, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Revelation, Theology of;   War, Holy War;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Sun;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Luke, Gospel of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Kingdom of God;   Sign;   Stars;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Certainty (2);   Discourse;   Doctrines;   Luke, Gospel According to;   Perplexity;   Poet;   Premeditation;   Quotations (2);   Sign ;   Star (2);   Sun;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Moon;   Sun;   1910 New Catholic Dictionary - parousia;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chief parables and miracles in the bible;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Sun;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
"Amazing things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. And people all over the earth will be upset and confused by the noise of the sea and its crashing waves.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And ther shalbe signes in the sunne ad in the mone and in the starres: and in ye erth the people shalbe in soche perplexite yt they shall not tell which waye to turne them selves. The see and the waters shall roore
Hebrew Names Version
There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the eretz anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;
International Standard Version
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and there will be distress on earth among the nations that are confused by the roaring of the sea and its waves.Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24; 2 Peter 3:10,12;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
"There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
New Century Version
"There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On earth, nations will be afraid and confused because of the roar and fury of the sea.
Update Bible Version
And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and on the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows;
Webster's Bible Translation
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Amplified Bible
"There will be signs (attesting miracles) in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth [there will be] distress and anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea and the waves,
English Standard Version
"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
World English Bible
There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And there shall be signs in the sun, and moon, and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea roaring and tossing:
Weymouth's New Testament
"There will be signs in sun, moon, and stars; and on earth anguish among the nations in their bewilderment at the roaring of the sea and its billows;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And tokenes schulen be in the sunne, and the mone, and in the sterris; and in the erthe ouerleiyng of folkis, for confusioun of sown of the see and of floodis;
English Revised Version
And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows;
Berean Standard Bible
There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves.
Contemporary English Version
Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won't know what to do.
American Standard Version
And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows;
Bible in Basic English
And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth, fear among the nations and doubt because of the loud noise of the sea and the waves;
Complete Jewish Bible
"There will appear signs in the sun, moon and stars; and on earth, nations will be in anxiety and bewilderment at the sound and surge of the sea,
Darby Translation
And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity [at] the roar of the sea and rolling waves,
Etheridge Translation
And there will be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and on earth distress of nations, and smiting of hands from astonishment at the voice of the sea,
Murdock Translation
And there will be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and distress of nations on the earth; and clasping of hands, from astonishment at the noise of the sea;
King James Version (1611)
And there shalbe signes in the Sunne, and in the Moone, and in the Starres, and vpon the earth distresse of nations, with perplexity, the Sea and the waues roaring,
New Living Translation
"And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.
New Life Bible
"There will be special things to look for in the sun and moon and stars. The nations of the earth will be troubled and will not know what to do. They will be troubled at the angry sea and waves.
New Revised Standard
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then there shalbe signes in the sunne, and in the moone, and in the starres, and vpon the earth trouble among the nations with perplexitie: the sea and the waters shall roare.
George Lamsa Translation
And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars; and on earth distress of the nations, and confusion because of the roaring of the sea;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And there will he signs in sun, and moon, and stars, and, on the earth, anguish of nations in embarrassment - sea and surge resounding, -
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea, and of the waves:
Revised Standard Version
"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And there shalbe signes in the sunne and in the moone, & in the starres: and vpon the earth trouble among the nations, with perplexitie. The sea and the water shall rore.
Good News Translation
"There will be strange things happening to the sun, the moon, and the stars. On earth whole countries will be in despair, afraid of the roar of the sea and the raging tides.
Christian Standard Bible®
“Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars;
King James Version
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Lexham English Bible
"And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity from the noise of the sea and its surging,
Young's Literal Translation
`And there shall be signs in sun, and moon, and stars, and on the land [is] distress of nations with perplexity, sea and billow roaring;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And there shalbe tokens in the Sonne and Mone, and starres, and vpon earth the people shalbe in soch perplexite, that they shal not tell which waye to turne them selues. And the see and the waters shal roare,
Mace New Testament (1729)
there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars: and upon the earth distress of nations under confusion, the sea and the waves roaring.
THE MESSAGE
"It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.
New English Translation
"And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth nations will be in distress, anxious over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves.
New King James Version
Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27">[xr] "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
Simplified Cowboy Version
"Signs will appear in the sky that are beyond comprehension. The sea will swell and roll in turmoil. There will be roaring waves and strange tides.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
Legacy Standard Bible
"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,

Contextual Overview

20 And when you see Jerusalem being encircled by armies, then recognize that its destruction has come near. 21 Then let those in Judea flee into the mountains; and those in its midst, let them go out. And those in the open spaces, let them not go into her. 22 For these are days of vengeance when all things that have been written are to be fulfilled. 23 But woe to the pregnant women, and the ones suckling in those days; for great distress will be on the earth and wrath on this people. 24 And they will fall by the mouth of the sword and will be led captive to all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by nations, until the times of the nations are fulfilled. 25 And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. And on the earth will be anxiety of nations with bewilderment, roaring of sea and of surf, 26 men fainting from fear, and expectation of the things coming on the earth. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and much glory. Dan. 7:13 28 But these things beginning to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

signs: Isaiah 13:10, Isaiah 13:13, Isaiah 13:14, Isaiah 24:23, Jeremiah 4:23, Ezekiel 32:7, Ezekiel 32:8, Joel 2:30, Joel 2:31, Amos 8:9, Amos 8:10, Matthew 24:29, Matthew 27:45, Mark 13:24, Mark 13:26, Mark 15:33, Acts 2:19, 2 Peter 3:10-12, Revelation 6:12-14, Revelation 20:11

upon: Daniel 12:1

with: Isaiah 22:4, Isaiah 22:5, Micah 7:4

the sea: Psalms 46:3, Psalms 93:3, Psalms 93:4, Isaiah 5:30, Isaiah 51:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:14 - and let Deuteronomy 28:28 - General 2 Chronicles 15:5 - great vexations Job 9:7 - sealeth Psalms 46:2 - though Isaiah 8:22 - look Isaiah 17:12 - make a noise Isaiah 28:19 - and it Jeremiah 6:23 - their Jeremiah 10:2 - be Jeremiah 25:32 - evil Jeremiah 30:5 - a voice Jeremiah 49:23 - on the sea Jeremiah 51:42 - General Jeremiah 51:55 - her waves Ezekiel 26:3 - as the sea Joel 2:10 - the sun Joel 3:15 - General Haggai 2:6 - and I Matthew 24:7 - famines Luke 9:7 - he Luke 21:11 - and great signs Acts 2:20 - sun Revelation 6:13 - the stars Revelation 8:12 - and the third part of the sun Revelation 12:1 - wonder Revelation 16:8 - upon

Cross-References

Genesis 13:7
And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. And the Canaanite and the Perizzite lived then in the land.
Genesis 21:15
And the water from the skin was finished, and she put the boy under one of the shrubs.
Genesis 21:17
And God heard the voice of the young boy. And the angel of God called to Hagar out of the heavens. And He said to her, What ails you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the boy, there where he is .
Genesis 21:22
And it happened at that time Abimelech and Phicol, the general of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, God is with you in all that you do.
Genesis 29:8
And they said, We are not able until all the flocks are gathered and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.
Judges 1:15
And she said to him, Give a blessing to me. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, also you shall give springs of water to me. And Caleb gave the upper springs and the lower springs to her.
Proverbs 17:10
A reproof enters more into one discerning than a hundred stripes into a fool.
Proverbs 25:9
Contend for your cause with your neighbor, and do not uncover the secret of another,
Proverbs 27:5
Better is revealed reproof than secret love.
Matthew 18:15
But if your brother may sin against you, go and reprove him between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon,.... They shall be darkened, and suffer very strange and surprising eclipses:

and in the stars; they shall fall from heaven, as in Matthew 24:29 and so the Ethiopic version reads here: all which, as it may be understood in a literal sense, so it may likewise in figurative and mystical one, and be interpreted of the changes there should be in the Jewish state; Matthew 24:29- :. So the Jewish writers h interpret the sun, the light, the moon, and stars, in Ecclesiastes 12:2. By the "sun" they understand the kingdom of the house of David; by "the light", the law; by "the moon", the sanhedrim; and by the stars, the Rabbins; and the same seem to be designed by the stars here:

and upon the earth distress of nations; upon the land of Israel; in the several nations and countries belonging to it; as Galilee of the nations, Judea, and the region beyond Jordan, shall be in great distress:

with perplexity; of mind, not knowing what to do, which way to go, or step to take; the Syriac version, instead of it, reads "clapping, or pressing of the hands"; which is done by persons, when in an agony and great distress:

the sea and the waves roaring; which design some unusual and extraordinary storms and tempests, and inundations in the sea of Galilee, or Tiberias, which would be so very terrible, as to cause great uneasiness, distress, and perplexity; and so some versions render it, "because of the sea", &c.

h In Prefat. Echa Rabbati, fol. 38. 4. Jarchi in Eccles. xii. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The account of the destruction of Jerusalem contained in this chapter has been fully considered in the notes at Matthew 24:0. All that will be necessary here will be an explanation of a few words that did not occur in that chapter.

Luke 21:9

Commotions - Insurrections. Subjects rising against their rulers.

Luke 21:11

Fearful sights - See Matthew 24:7.

Luke 21:12, Luke 21:13

Synagogues, and into prisons - See the notes at Mark 13:9-10.

Luke 21:14

Settle it, therefore, in your hearts - Fix it firmly in your minds - so firmly as to become a settled principle - that you are always to depend on God for aid in all your trials. See Mark 13:11.

Luke 21:15

A mouth - Eloquence, ability to speak as the case may demand. Compare Exodus 4:11.

Gainsay - Speak against. They will not be able to “reply” to it, or to “resist” the force of what you shall say.

Luke 21:18

A hair of your head perish - This is a proverbial expression, denoting that they should not suffer any essential injury. This was strikingly fulfilled in the fact that in the calamities of Jerusalem there is reason to believe that no Christian suffered. Before those calamities came on the city they had fled to “Pella,” a city on the east of the Jordan. See the notes at Matthew 24:18.

Luke 21:19

In your patience - Rather by your perseverance. The word “patience” here means constancy or perseverance in sustaining afflictions.

Possess ye your souls - Some read here the “future” instead of the “present” of the verb rendered “possess.” The word “possess” means here to “preserve” or keep, and the word “souls” means “lives.” This passage may be thus translated: By persevering in bearing these trials you “will” save your lives, or you will be safe; or, by persevering “preserve” your lives; that is, do not yield to these calamities, but bear up under them, for he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. Compare Matthew 24:13.

Luke 21:22

All things which are written may be fulfilled - Judgment had been threatened by almost all the prophets against that wicked city. They had spoken of its crimes and threatened its ruin. Once God had destroyed Jerusalem and carried the people to Babylon; but their crimes had been repeated when they returned, and God had again threatened their ruin. Particularly was this very destruction foretold by Daniel, Daniel 9:26-27; “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself; and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” See the notes at that passage.

Luke 21:24

Shall fall ... - No less than one million one hundred thousand perished in the siege of Jerusalem.

Shall be led away captive - More than 90,000 were led into captivity. See the notes at Matthew 24:0.

Shall be trodden down by the Gentiles - Shall be in possession of the Gentiles, or be subject to them. The expression also implies that it would be an “oppressive” subjection, as when a captive in war is trodden down under the feet of the conqueror. Anciently conquerors “trod on” the necks of those who were subdued by them, Jos 10:24; 2 Samuel 22:41; Ezekiel 21:29. The bondage of Jerusalem has been long and very oppressive. It was for a long time under the dominion of the Romans, then of the Saracens, and is now of the Turks, and is aptly represented by a captive stretched on the ground whose neck is “trodden” by the foot of the conqueror.

Until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled - This passage has been understood very differently by different expositors. Some refer it to the time which the Romans who conquered it had dominion over it, as signifying that “they” should keep possession of it until a part of the pagans should be converged, when it should be rebuilt. Thus it was rebuilt by the Emperor Adrian. Others suppose that it refers to the end of the world, when all the Gentiles shall be converted, and they shall “cease” to be Gentiles by becoming Christians, meaning that it should “always” be desolate. Others, that Christ meant to say that in the times of the millennium, when the gospel should spread universally, he would reign personally on the earth, and that the “Jews” would return and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. This is the opinion of the Jews and of many Christians. The meaning of the passage clearly is,

  1. That Jerusalem would be completely destroyed.
  2. That this would be done by Gentiles - that is, by the Roman armies.
  3. That this desolation would continue as long as God should judge it proper in a fit manner to express his abhorrence of the crimes of the nation - that is, until the times allotted to “them” by God for this desolation should be accomplished, without specifying how long that would be, or what would occur to the city after that.

It “may” be rebuilt, and inhabited by converted Jews. Such a thing is “possible,” and the Jews naturally seek that as their home; but whether this be so or not, the time when the “Gentiles,” as such, shall have dominion over the city is limited. Like all other cities on the earth, it will yet be brought under the influence of the gospel, and will be inhabited by the true friends of God. Pagan, infidel, anti-Christian dominion shall cease there, and it will be again a place where God will be worshipped in sincerity - a place “even then” of special interest from the recollection of the events which have occurred there. “How long” it is to be before this occurs is known only to Him “who hath put the times and seasons in his own power,” Acts 1:7.

Luke 21:25

See the notes at Matthew 24:29.

Upon the earth distress of nations - Some have proposed to render the word “earth” by “land,” confining it to Judea. It often has this meaning, and there seems some propriety in so using it here. The word translated “distress” denotes anxiety of mind - such an anxiety as people have when they do not know what to do to free themselves from calamities; and it means here that the calamities would be so great and overwhelming that they would not know what to do to escape. There would be a want of counsel, and deep anxiety at the impending evils.

With perplexity - Rather “on account” of their perplexity, or the desperate state of their affairs. The Syriac has it, “perplexity or wringing of hands,” which is a sign of deep distress and horror.

The sea and the waves roaring - This is not to be understood literally, but as an image of great distress. Probably it is designed to denote that these calamities would come upon them like a deluge. As when in a storm the ocean roars, and wave rolls on wave and dashes against the shore, and each succeeding surge is more violent than the one that preceded it, so would the calamities come upon Judea. They would roll over the whole land, and each wave of trouble would be more violent than the one that preceded it, until the whole country would be desolate. The same image is also used in Isaiah 8:7-8, and Revelation 18:15.

Luke 21:26

Men’s hearts failing them - This is an expression denoting the highest terror. The word rendered “failing” commonly denotes to “die,” and here it means that the terror would be so great that people would faint and be ready to die in view of the approaching calamities. And if this was true in respect to the judgments about to come upon Judea, how much more so will it be in the day of judgment, when the wicked will be arraigned before the Son of God, and when they shall have before them the prospect of the awful sufferings of hell - the pains and woes which shall continue forever! It will be no wonder, then, if they call on the rocks and mountains to hide them from the face of God, and if their hearts sink within them at the prospect of eternal suffering.

Luke 21:28

Your redemption draweth nigh - See the notes at Matthew 24:33. This is expressed in Luke 21:31 thus: “the kingdom of God is nigh at hand” - that is, from that time God will signally build up his kingdom. It shall be fully established when the Jewish policy shall come to an end; when the temple shall be destroyed, and the Jews scattered abroad. Then the power of the Jews shall be at an end; they shall no longer be able to persecute you, and you shall be completely delivered from all these trials and calamities in Judea.

Luke 21:34

Lest at any time your hearts be overcharged ... - The meaning of this verse is, “Be continually expecting these things. Do not forget them, and do not be “secure” and satisfied with this life and the good things which it furnishes. Do not suffer yourselves to be drawn into the fashions of the world; to be conformed to its customs; to partake of its feasts and revelry; and so these calamities shall come upon you when you least expect them.” And from this we may learn - what alas! we may from the “lives” of many professing Christians - that there is need of cautioning the disciples of Jesus now that they do not indulge in the festivities of this life, and “forget” that they are to die and come to judgment. How many, alas! who bear the Christian name, have forgotten this caution of the Saviour, and live as if their lives were secure; as if they feared not death; as if there were no heaven and no judgment! Christians should feel that they are soon to die, and that their portion is not in this life; and, feeling this, they should be “looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.”

Overcharged - Literally, “be made heavy,” as is the case with those who have eaten and drunken too much.

Surfeiting - Excessive eating and drinking, so as to oppress the body; indulgence in the pleasures of the table. This word does not include “intoxication,” but merely indulgence in food and drink, though the food and drink should be in themselves lawful.

Drunkenness - Intoxication, intemperance in drinking. The ancients were not acquainted with the poison that we chiefly use on which to become drunk. They had no distilled spirits. They became intoxicated on wine, and strong drink made of a mixture of dates, honey, etc. All nations have contrived some way to become intoxicated - to bring in folly, and disease, and poverty, and death, by drunkenness; and in nothing is the depravity of men more manifest than in thus endeavoring to hasten the ravages of crime and death.

Luke 21:35

As a snare - In Matthew and Mark Jesus compares the suddenness with which these calamities would come to the deluge coming in the days of Noah. Here he likens it to a snare. Birds are caught by a snare or net. It is sprung on them quickly, and when they are not expecting it. So, says he, shall these troubles come upon Judea. The figure is often used to denote the suddenness of calamities, Psalms 69:22; Romans 11:9; Psalms 124:7; Isaiah 24:17.

Luke 21:36

To stand before the Son of man - These approaching calamities are represented as the “coming of the Son of man” to judge Jerusalem for its crimes. Its inhabitants were so wicked that they were not worthy to stand before him and would be condemned, and the city would be overthrown. To “stand before him” here denotes approbation, acquittal, favor, and is equivalent to saying that “they” would be free from these calamities, while they should come upon others. See Romans 14:4; Psalms 1:5; Psalms 130:3; Revelation 6:17. Perhaps, also, there is a reference here to the day of judgment. See the notes at Matthew 24:0.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 25. The sea and the waves roaring — Figuratively pointing out the immense Roman armies by which Judea was to be overrun and destroyed.


 
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