King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Complete Jewish Bible:
as people faint with fear at the prospect of what is overtaking the world; for the powers in heaven will be shaken.
Berean Standard Bible:
Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
American Standard Version:
men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Men's{G444} hearts failing them{G674} for{G575} fear{G5401}, and{G2532} for looking after{G4329} those things which are coming on{G1904} the earth{G3625}: for{G1063} the powers{G1411} of heaven{G3772} shall be shaken{G4531}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 24:29
- Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Deuteronomy 28:65
- And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:
Deuteronomy 28:67
- In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
Leviticus 26:36
- And upon them that are left [alive] of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.
2 Peter 3:10
- But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2 Peter 3:12
- Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Hebrews 10:26
- For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Luke 21:26
Luke 21:26 is part of the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus speaks to his disciples about the signs that will precede the end of the age and the coming of the Son of Man in glory. This verse captures the intense fear and trepidation that will grip humanity as they witness cataclysmic events unfolding on Earth and in the heavens. The phrase "men's hearts failing them for fear" suggests a period of great distress and anxiety, as people confront the realization of inevitable and tumultuous changes. The "powers of heaven" being shaken indicates a profound disruption in the cosmic order, which in the historical and cultural context of the time, would have been understood as a divine intervention and a clear signal of the end times.
This verse reflects the apocalyptic literature common in Jewish thought during the Second Temple period, which often included vivid imagery of cosmic upheaval as a prelude to divine judgment and the establishment of a new era. The themes here are consistent with the biblical motif of God's ultimate sovereignty over creation and the eschatological expectation of a final judgment. For early Christians and those living in the first century, these words would have resonated with the hope of redemption and the anticipation of Christ's return, while also serving as a warning to remain watchful and spiritually prepared for the events leading up to the eschaton.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G444
There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
Transliteration: ánthrōpos
Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man. - Strong's Number: G674
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀποψύχω
Transliteration: apopsýchō
Pronunciation: ap-ops-oo'-kho
Description: from ἀπό and ψύχω; to breathe out, i.e. faint:--hearts failing. - Strong's Number: G575
There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπό
Transliteration: apó
Pronunciation: apo'
Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc. - Strong's Number: G5401
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φόβος
Transliteration: phóbos
Pronunciation: fob'-os
Description: from a primary (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:--be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G4329
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: προσδοκία
Transliteration: prosdokía
Pronunciation: pros-dok-ee'-ah
Description: from προσδοκάω; apprehension (of evil); by implication, infliction anticipated:--expectation, looking after. - Strong's Number: G1904
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπέρχομαι
Transliteration: epérchomai
Pronunciation: ep-er'-khom-ahee
Description: from ἐπί and ἔρχομαι; to supervene, i.e. arrive, occur, impend, attack, (figuratively) influence:--come (in, upon). - Strong's Number: G3625
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οἰκουμένη
Transliteration: oikouménē
Pronunciation: oy-kou-men'-ay
Description: feminine participle present passive of οἰκέω (as noun, by implication, of γῆ); land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire:--earth, world. - Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet. - Strong's Number: G1411
There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δύναμις
Transliteration: dýnamis
Pronunciation: doo'-nam-is
Description: from δύναμαι; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work. - Strong's Number: G3772
There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐρανός
Transliteration: ouranós
Pronunciation: oo-ran-os'
Description: perhaps from the same as ὄρος (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky. - Strong's Number: G4531
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σαλεύω
Transliteration: saleúō
Pronunciation: sal-yoo'-o
Description: from σάλος; to waver, i.e. agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite:--move, shake (together), which can(-not) be shaken, stir up.