Luke 21:25

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;

And {G2532} there shall be {G2071} signs {G4592} in {G1722} the sun {G2246}, and {G2532} in the moon {G4582}, and {G2532} in the stars {G798}; and {G2532} upon {G1909} the earth {G1093} distress {G4928} of nations {G1484}, with {G1722} perplexity {G640}; the sea {G2281} and {G2532} the waves {G4535} roaring {G2278};

“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,

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.

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;

Luke 21:25 is a powerful verse from Jesus' Olivet Discourse, where He describes the signs preceding His second coming and the end of the age. This prophecy outlines a period of intense global upheaval and cosmic disturbances.

Context of Luke 21:25

This verse is part of Jesus' response to His disciples' questions about the destruction of the temple and the signs of His coming and the end of the age (Luke 21:7). Preceding this, Jesus warns about false prophets, wars, and natural disasters. Luke 21:25 then shifts to more dramatic, cosmic, and global phenomena, setting the stage for the direct appearance of the Son of Man. Parallel accounts can be found in Matthew 24:29 and Mark 13:24-25, emphasizing the consistency of this prophetic message.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Cosmic Disturbances: "Signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars" refers to extraordinary celestial phenomena. These are not merely natural events but divine signals marking the approach of a significant spiritual and historical climax. Such imagery is common in Old Testament prophecies concerning the Day of the Lord (e.g., Isaiah 13:10; Joel 2:30-31).
  • Global Distress and Perplexity: The phrase "distress of nations, with perplexity" highlights a worldwide state of anxiety, confusion, and despair. The Greek word for "perplexity," aporia, signifies a state of being at a loss, without resources, or utterly bewildered. This implies a time when human solutions fail, and nations are gripped by an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
  • Nature's Roaring: "The sea and the waves roaring" vividly portrays natural chaos, possibly including tsunamis, unprecedented storms, or symbolic representations of tumultuous human societies. It underscores a profound disruption of the natural order, adding to the global sense of fear and instability.
  • Harbinger of Christ's Return: These dramatic signs are not the end themselves but clear indicators that the coming of the Son of Man is drawing near. They serve as a powerful wake-up call to humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The term "perplexity" (Greek: aporia) used here is crucial. It conveys a deep sense of being without a way out, utterly confused, and lacking solutions. This isn't just distress but a profound bewilderment that strikes at the core of human understanding and control. The "roaring" (Greek: ēchous) of the sea and waves implies a loud, tumultuous sound, suggesting the raw power and uncontrolled fury of nature unleashed.

Practical Application and Reflection

For believers, Luke 21:25 serves as a call to watchfulness and discernment, rather than fear. While the world faces increasing distress and confusion, those who trust in Christ can find peace in His sovereignty. These signs remind us that God is in control and that history is moving towards His appointed culmination. Instead of being overcome by anxiety, believers are encouraged to look up, knowing that their redemption draws nigh (Luke 21:28). It prompts us to live with an eternal perspective, sharing the hope found in Christ amidst a world in distress.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 13:10

    For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

  • Joel 2:30

    And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

  • Joel 2:31

    The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

  • Revelation 6:12

    And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

  • Revelation 6:14

    And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

  • Isaiah 24:23

    Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

  • Daniel 12:1

    ¶ And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

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