Luke 21:27

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

And {G2532} then {G5119} shall they see {G3700} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} coming {G2064} in {G1722} a cloud {G3507} with {G3326} power {G1411} and {G2532} great {G4183} glory {G1391}.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with tremendous power and glory.

At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:27 is a powerful declaration by Jesus Christ, forming a key part of His Olivet Discourse, a prophetic sermon about the end times, the destruction of Jerusalem, and His glorious Second Coming.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' descriptions of cosmic disturbances—signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and distress among nations (Luke 21:25-26). These events precede the climactic return of the Son of Man. The discourse was delivered on the Mount of Olives, providing a panoramic view of Jerusalem, adding poignancy to His prophecies about the city's future and the world's ultimate destiny.

Key Themes

  • The Visible Return of Christ: The phrase "shall they see" emphasizes a universally observable and undeniable event. This will not be a secret or spiritual return, but a physical, glorious manifestation.
  • The Son of Man: Jesus' most frequent self-designation, "the Son of man" (Greek: ho huios tou anthrōpou), points to His dual nature—fully human yet possessing divine authority and majesty. This title echoes the prophetic vision in Daniel 7:13-14, where one "like the Son of man" comes with the clouds of heaven to receive everlasting dominion and glory.
  • Coming in a Cloud: Clouds are a recurring biblical motif associated with divine presence, glory, and judgment. Jesus ascended into heaven in a cloud (Acts 1:9), and His return will be in a similar manner (Acts 1:11). It signifies a supernatural, divine event.
  • Power and Great Glory: Unlike His first humble arrival, Jesus' return will be marked by immense `dynamis` (Greek for power, inherent might) and `doxa` (Greek for glory, splendor, majesty). This highlights His ultimate victory, authority, and divine splendor as King and Judge.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Son of man" is significant. In Greek, ho huios tou anthrōpou, it links Jesus directly to the messianic figure in Daniel's prophecy, underscoring His unique identity as both fully human and divinely appointed ruler. The words for "power" (dynamis) and "glory" (doxa) convey an overwhelming display of divine might and radiant majesty, far surpassing any earthly authority.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a call to readiness for believers. It assures us that despite present troubles or the escalating chaos described in preceding verses, Christ's return will be a definitive, glorious event that brings ultimate vindication and hope. It urges us to live watchful and holy lives, understanding that the Lord's return is certain and will usher in His eternal kingdom. It serves as a reminder to prioritize eternal realities over temporal concerns, living with an anticipation of His appearing, just as Jesus taught His disciples to "watch ye therefore, and pray always".

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.

  • Revelation 1:7

    Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

  • 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.

  • Mark 13:26

    And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

  • Matthew 26:64

    Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

  • Matthew 16:27

    For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

  • Matthew 16:28

    Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

  • Acts 1:9

    And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
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