Luke 17:22

KJV

And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see [it].

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto {G4314} the disciples {G3101}, The days {G2250} will come {G2064}, when {G3753} ye shall desire {G1937} to see {G1492} one {G3391} of the days {G2250} of the Son {G5207} of man {G444}, and {G2532} ye shall {G3700} not {G3756} see {G3700} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he said to his talmidim, “The time is coming when you will long to see even one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.

Berean Standard Bible

Then He said to the disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.

American Standard Version

And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 17:22, Jesus prepares His disciples for a future period of His physical absence, foretelling a time when they will intensely long to experience the manifest presence and glorious reign of the Son of Man, but will not immediately witness it. This poignant statement serves as a prophetic warning and a call to endurance, emphasizing the interim period between His first and second comings, a time marked by spiritual longing and patient expectation rather than immediate visible fulfillment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a significant transition in Jesus' teaching within [Luke 17](/luke/17 "Luke Chapter 17 - Teachings on the Kingdom and the Coming of the Son of Man"). Prior to this, Jesus has been addressing the Pharisees about the nature of the Kingdom of God, stating that it "comes not with observation" and is "within you" or "among you" ([Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God is Within You")). Immediately following this verse, Jesus elaborates on the sudden and unmistakable nature of His second coming, likening it to lightning flashing across the sky and warning against deceptive claims of His presence ([Luke 17:23-24](/luke/17-23-24 "Luke 17:23-24 - The Suddenness of the Son of Man's Coming")). Thus, [Luke 17:22](/luke/17-22 "Luke 17:22 - The Disciples' Future Longing") functions as a bridge, shifting the focus from the Kingdom's present, internal reality to the future, external manifestation of the Son of Man's glorious return, setting the stage for the parables and warnings that follow concerning vigilance and readiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' audience, including His disciples, lived with a deeply ingrained expectation of a Messiah who would immediately establish an earthly kingdom, overthrowing Roman rule and restoring Israel's glory. This expectation was shaped by Old Testament prophecies of a reigning king and a glorious new era. However, Jesus consistently challenged these temporal expectations, introducing the concept of a suffering Messiah and a Kingdom that was both present and future. The "days of the Son of Man" would have evoked images of the Messianic age, but Jesus' words here introduce the difficult truth that this age would not be immediately or continuously visible in the way they anticipated. The cultural context of a people longing for national restoration and divine intervention makes Jesus' warning about a period of longing and absence particularly striking and counter-intuitive to their immediate hopes.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 17:22](/luke/17-22 "Luke 17:22 - The Disciples' Future Longing") contributes to several significant themes in Luke's Gospel and broader New Testament eschatology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Anticipation and Longing** for Christ's return, acknowledging the natural human desire for the full and visible establishment of God's perfect rule. Secondly, it highlights the **Inter-Advent Period**, the significant time gap between Jesus' first coming (His ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension) and His glorious second coming. This period is characterized by the absence of His physical presence and the need for believers to live by faith, not by sight. Thirdly, the verse reinforces the **Identity and Authority of the Son of Man**. Jesus' consistent use of this title, rooted in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Coming with the Clouds of Heaven"), emphasizes both His humanity and His divine, sovereign authority as the one destined to return in glory, judge the world, and establish an everlasting kingdom. The "days of the Son of Man" thus refer to the culmination of His redemptive work and the full manifestation of His cosmic reign.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **desire (Greek, _epithyméō'_):** (G1937) This word signifies a strong longing or craving, to "set the heart upon." While it can sometimes carry a negative connotation (as in "covet" or "lust"), here it expresses a legitimate, even godly, yearning for the visible presence and full reign of Christ. It speaks to a deep, internal ache that the disciples (and future believers) would experience for the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
* **see (Greek, _eídō'_):** (G1492) This primary verb means "to see" literally or figuratively, and by implication, "to know." In this context, it refers to the direct, physical perception or experience of the "days of the Son of Man." The contrast is between the intense desire to *see* and the reality that they *shall not see* it in the immediate future, emphasizing the absence of a continuously manifest, visible presence.
* **days (Greek, _hēméra'_):** (G2250) While literally meaning a 24-hour period, this word often figuratively refers to a "period" or "time" defined by context. Here, "one of the days of the Son of Man" refers not to a single literal day, but to the anticipated era or period characterized by the Son of Man's manifest presence, glory, and righteous reign. It encapsulates the eschatological hope for the full realization of His kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto the disciples":** This opening phrase establishes the audience for Jesus' profound teaching. He is speaking specifically to His closest followers, preparing them for the realities of the future and the challenges of living in the interim. This is not a general address but a pastoral instruction directed at those who would carry on His mission.
* **"The days will come":** This is a prophetic declaration, signaling a future time that is certain to arrive. It introduces a period distinct from their present experience, emphasizing a shift in the nature of their interaction with the Kingdom of God and the Son of Man.
* **"when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man":** This clause reveals the core emotional and spiritual experience awaiting the disciples. After Jesus' departure, they will intensely long for the visible manifestation of His power and glory, for the full establishment of His Messianic reign. This longing would stem from the challenges of living in a fallen world, the persecution they might face, and the natural human desire for the ultimate triumph of good. "The days of the Son of Man" refers to the era of His glorious return and manifest kingdom.
* **"and ye shall not see [it]":** This is the stark, sobering counterpoint to their desire. Despite their intense longing, they will not immediately witness the full, visible, and continuous manifestation of the Son of Man's glorious days. This signifies a period of waiting, living by faith, and enduring the absence of His physical presence, a reality that would challenge their preconceived notions of the Kingdom's immediate arrival.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 17:22 employs **Foreshadowing** and **Contrast**. The verse **foreshadows** the period after Jesus' ascension, when His physical presence would be absent, and His followers would long for His return. This prophetic insight prepares the disciples for the realities of the "inter-advent" age, a time of waiting and faith. The **contrast** is evident between the disciples' intense "desire to see" ("epithyméō" and "eídō") and the blunt declaration that they "shall not see" ("ou" and "optánomai"). This stark opposition highlights the tension between human longing for immediate fulfillment and divine timing, emphasizing that the Kingdom's full glory will not be continuously visible or immediately realized in the way they might expect. This contrast underscores the nature of faith during the interim period.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:22 is profoundly significant for Christian eschatology, emphasizing the "already but not yet" nature of the Kingdom of God. While the Kingdom is present through Christ's first coming and the indwelling Holy Spirit, its full, visible manifestation awaits His glorious return. This verse highlights the tension inherent in living between these two advents, a period characterized by both the invisible reign of Christ and a deep yearning for His visible, triumphant appearance. It underscores the importance of patient endurance and faithful living in a world still awaiting its ultimate redemption, reminding believers that their hope is fixed on a future reality that is certain, though its timing is unknown.

* [Matthew 24:42](/matthew/24-42 "Matthew 24:42 - Be Watchful, for You Do Not Know the Day or Hour")
* [Romans 8:23-25](/romans/8-23-25 "Romans 8:23-25 - Groaning While We Wait for Adoption")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - Faith is the Assurance of Things Hoped For")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:22 offers a timeless message for all believers navigating the complexities of faith in a world that often seems devoid of God's immediate, visible intervention. It validates the natural human longing for Christ's return and the full establishment of His righteous kingdom, acknowledging the spiritual ache for justice, peace, and the eradication of suffering. This longing is not a sign of weakness but a divinely implanted desire that fuels our hope and directs our ultimate aspirations beyond the temporal. Yet, the verse also calls us to a profound patience and perseverance. We are to live faithfully in the "now," even as we yearn for the "not yet." This means actively engaging in the work of the Kingdom—spreading the gospel, pursuing justice, loving our neighbors—while simultaneously cultivating a spirit of watchfulness and readiness for the Lord's return, whenever that may be. It reminds us that our walk is one of faith, not sight, trusting in God's perfect timing and His sovereign plan for the consummation of all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "desire to see" the days of the Son of Man manifest in your own spiritual life today?**
* **What challenges arise for you when living in the tension between the "already" of God's Kingdom and the "not yet" of Christ's full, visible return?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a spirit of patient endurance and faithful vigilance while awaiting the Lord's return?**

### FAQ

**What does Jesus mean by "the days of the Son of man"?**

Answer: "The days of the Son of man" refers to the period of Jesus' glorious, manifest return and the full establishment of His Messianic kingdom. This phrase draws heavily from the Old Testament, particularly [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Coming with the Clouds of Heaven"), where the "Son of Man" is depicted as a divine, authoritative figure who receives an everlasting dominion. Jesus consistently used this title for Himself, emphasizing both His humanity and His divine authority as the one who would come in glory to judge the world and reign. Therefore, "the days of the Son of man" signify the eschatological era when Christ's universal authority and righteous rule will be fully and visibly realized.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 17:22, while speaking of a future longing, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not merely in the anticipation of a future event, but in the very person and work of Jesus Christ. The "days of the Son of Man" are intrinsically linked to His redemptive mission, which began with His incarnation and culminates in His glorious return. The disciples' future longing for His visible presence underscores the profound impact of His first coming, which initiated the Kingdom of God, albeit in a hidden form ([Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God is Within You")). Jesus' death and resurrection, as foretold in [Luke 17:25](/luke/17-25 "Luke 17:25 - The Son of Man Must Suffer"), are the necessary prerequisites for these "days" to dawn. His ascension, described in [Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - Jesus Ascends into Heaven"), initiated the period of His physical absence, which in turn fuels the longing mentioned in this verse. However, this longing is not for an unknown figure, but for the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the one who has already secured victory over sin and death ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The "days of the Son of Man" are therefore the consummation of Christ's redemptive work, when He will fully manifest the glory He already possesses, bringing to completion the salvation He inaugurated and establishing His eternal reign, as promised in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth"). Thus, the longing is ultimately for the full revelation of Christ Himself, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 5:35

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Matthew 9:15

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

John 8:21

¶ Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

John 8:24

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.

John 7:33

Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and [then] I go unto him that sent me.

John 7:36

What [manner of] saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find [me]: and where I am, [thither] ye cannot come?

John 16:16

¶ A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.