Luke 17:24

KJV

For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one [part] under heaven, shineth unto the other [part] under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} as {G5618} the lightning {G796}, that lighteneth {G797} out of {G1537} the one part under {G5259} heaven {G3772}, shineth {G2989} unto {G1519} the other part under {G5259} heaven {G3772}; so {G3779} shall also {G2532} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} be {G2071} in {G1722} his {G846} day {G2250}.

Complete Jewish Bible

because the Son of Man in his day will be like lightning that flashes and lights up the sky from one horizon to the other.

Berean Standard Bible

For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day.

American Standard Version

for as the lightning, when it lighteneth out of the one part under the heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall the Son of man be in his day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:24 serves as a powerful analogy within Jesus' discourse on the nature of His second coming, emphasizing its unmistakable and universally visible character. Just as a flash of lightning illuminates the entire sky from one horizon to the other, so too will the arrival of the Son of Man be an undeniable, sudden, and globally witnessed event, leaving no room for speculation or hidden appearances. This verse refutes any notion of a secret or localized return, underscoring the glorious and public manifestation of Christ's eschatological reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' extended teaching to His disciples concerning the "coming of the Kingdom of God" and the "day of the Son of Man" (Luke 17:20-37). Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus corrects misconceptions about the Kingdom's arrival, stating it "comes not with observation" and is "within you" (Luke 17:20-21). He then warns against false claims of His presence in secret places, urging His followers not to "go after them, nor follow them" (Luke 17:23). Verse 24 directly addresses these warnings by providing a vivid, undeniable image of His future return, contrasting it sharply with any hidden or localized manifestation. The subsequent verses continue to elaborate on the suddenness and decisiveness of this "day," comparing it to the days of Noah and Lot, highlighting the unpreparedness of many.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, lightning was a familiar and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon, often associated with divine power, judgment, and revelation. The vast, open skies of the Middle East would have made the widespread illumination of a lightning flash a common and easily understood metaphor for universal visibility. People would have understood that lightning, once it "lighteneth out of the one part under heaven," was not confined to a single spot but was seen across the entire expanse of the sky. This imagery would have resonated deeply with an audience accustomed to observing natural signs and understanding their implications for divine activity, reinforcing the idea of an event that could not be missed or misinterpreted by anyone "under heaven."
* **Key Themes:** Luke 17:24 contributes significantly to several major themes in Luke's Gospel and broader biblical eschatology. First, it underscores the **Universal Visibility** of Christ's return, countering any idea of a clandestine or localized event. This theme is echoed in other New Testament passages, such as [Matthew 24:27](/matthew/24-27 "Matthew 24:27 - The Coming of the Son of Man") and [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Shall See Him"), which state that "every eye will see him." Second, it highlights the **Suddenness and Unexpectedness** of the event, akin to the unpredictable nature of a lightning strike, aligning with warnings to "be ready" because the Son of Man will come at an hour when He is not expected (cf. [Luke 12:40](/luke/12-40 "Luke 12:40 - Be Ready")). Third, the use of the title **"Son of Man"** is crucial. This self-designation, frequently employed by Jesus, draws from [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Comes"), portraying a divine, authoritative, and judicial figure who receives everlasting dominion and glory. In this context, it emphasizes His glorious, authoritative, and decisive return as judge and king. Finally, the phrase **"in his day"** points to a specific, divinely appointed time, often referred to as the "Day of the Lord" or "Day of Christ," signifying a climactic period of divine intervention, judgment, and the full establishment of God's Kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lightning (Greek, _astrapē'_):** From G796, referring to a flash, brilliant light, or sudden intense glow. This word choice powerfully illustrates the instantaneous and undeniable nature of the event being described, emphasizing its visual impact and widespread perception.
* **shineth (Greek, _lámpō'_):** From G2989, meaning "to beam" or "radiate brilliancy." It emphasizes the pervasive and undeniable illumination that accompanies the lightning, mirroring the universal visibility of the Son of Man's coming. The light is not confined but extends across the entire visible expanse.
* **day (Greek, _hēméra'_):** From G2250, referring to a specific period of time, often defined by context. In this eschatological context, "his day" signifies a divinely appointed and decisive era of intervention, judgment, and revelation, marking the culmination of God's redemptive plan and the full manifestation of Christ's authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one [part] under heaven":** Jesus begins with a familiar and striking natural phenomenon. Lightning is sudden, powerful, and originates from a specific point in the sky. The phrase "out of the one part under heaven" emphasizes its origin within the visible expanse of the sky, making it a natural, observable event. This sets up the analogy for the Son of Man's coming as something that will be undeniably real and initiated.
* **"shineth unto the other [part] under heaven":** This clause highlights the pervasive and comprehensive nature of lightning's illumination. It doesn't just flash in one spot; its light extends across the entire horizon, from one end of the visible sky to the other. This emphasizes the universal scope and undeniable visibility of the event being described, leaving no one unaware or able to claim ignorance.
* **"so shall also the Son of man be in his day":** This is the direct application of the analogy. Just as lightning's appearance is sudden, unmistakable, and globally visible, so too will be the return of the Son of Man. The phrase "in his day" points to a specific, appointed time for this grand, climactic event, which will be characterized by His glorious and public manifestation, demonstrating His authority and fulfilling prophetic expectations.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Luke 17:24 is a **Simile**, explicitly marked by "as... so." Jesus uses the natural phenomenon of lightning to illustrate the manner of His second coming. This simile is highly effective due to the universally understood characteristics of lightning: its suddenness, its brilliant and widespread illumination, and its undeniable presence across the sky. The comparison conveys the idea that Christ's return will be equally sudden, glorious, and universally visible, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the description of lightning "shin[ing] unto the other [part] under heaven," emphasizing the extreme and all-encompassing visibility, which serves to underscore the global nature of the Son of Man's return. The language is also rich in **Eschatological Language**, using terms like "Son of Man" and "his day" to evoke prophetic expectations of divine judgment and the establishment of God's kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:24 provides a crucial theological statement about the nature of Christ's second advent. It definitively refutes any notion of a secret rapture or a localized, clandestine return of Jesus. Instead, it powerfully asserts that His coming will be a public, glorious, and universally witnessed event, akin to a cosmic revelation. This truth serves as both a comfort and a warning: comfort for believers who anticipate their Lord's glorious return, and a warning to the world that His arrival will be unmistakable and will usher in a time of divine judgment and accountability. The emphasis on "his day" connects this event to the broader biblical theme of the "Day of the Lord," a time when God decisively intervenes in human history to judge the wicked and vindicate His people, bringing His redemptive plan to its ultimate consummation.

* [Matthew 24:27](/matthew/24-27 "Matthew 24:27 - The Coming of the Son of Man")
* [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17](/1_thessalonians/4-16-17 "1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - The Lord's Descent")
* [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Shall See Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:24 calls believers to a posture of confident expectation and spiritual vigilance, rather than anxious speculation. Since the return of the Son of Man will be undeniably visible to all, there is no need to chase after sensational claims or secret signs. Our focus should be on living faithfully in the present, embodying the Kingdom of God in our daily lives, and sharing the good news of Christ with a world that will one day witness His glorious return. This verse encourages us to live with a sense of urgency, recognizing that while the timing is unknown, the certainty and public nature of His coming demand a life of readiness, purity, and active participation in His mission. It reminds us that our hope is not in a hidden escape, but in the manifest triumph of our Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universal visibility of Christ's return, as described in this verse, shape your understanding of Christian hope and evangelism?**
* **In what ways might the warning against being deceived by false claims of Christ's presence (Luke 17:23) apply to contemporary spiritual movements or teachings?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live in a state of spiritual readiness, knowing that "his day" will be sudden and unmistakable?**

### FAQ

**Does Luke 17:24 support the idea of a secret rapture?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. Luke 17:24 strongly refutes the idea of a secret rapture. Jesus explicitly states that His coming will be as universally visible as lightning flashing across the entire sky. The analogy emphasizes that His return will be a public, unmistakable, and globally witnessed event, leaving no one unaware. This teaching is consistent with other New Testament passages that describe Christ's return as a glorious, public manifestation, where "every eye will see him" (e.g., [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Shall See Him")).

**What is the significance of Jesus calling Himself "the Son of Man" in this context?**

Answer: The title "Son of Man" (Greek: _huios tou anthrōpou_) is one of Jesus' most frequent self-designations, carrying profound theological weight. In this context, it draws on the prophecy in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Receives Dominion"), where the Son of Man is depicted as a divine, authoritative figure who comes with the clouds of heaven to receive everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom. By using this title, Jesus emphasizes His divine authority, His future role as judge and king, and the glorious, powerful nature of His return. It signifies that the one who walked among them as a human will return in divine majesty to establish His eternal reign.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 17:24 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the glorious future return of Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man, as the triumphant King and Judge. This verse is not merely a prediction of an event, but a profound declaration of the culmination of Christ's redemptive work and the full manifestation of His sovereignty. The "lightning" imagery foreshadows the unparalleled glory and power with which Christ will descend, not as a humble servant, but as the exalted Lord before whom "every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth" ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). His "day" will be the definitive moment when all creation acknowledges Him as Lord, fulfilling the prophetic vision of the Lamb who is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing ([Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb")). This public, undeniable return ensures that His victory over sin and death, achieved on the cross and sealed by His resurrection, will be universally proclaimed and eternally established, bringing to completion the Kingdom of God for which He lived, died, and rose again ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Has Become the Kingdom of Our Lord")).

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

Matthew 24:27

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Malachi 4:1

¶ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Malachi 4:2

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Matthew 24:30

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Zechariah 9:14

And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

Malachi 3:1

¶ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:2

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: