TRV
Translation
King James Version
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Complete Jewish Bible
Stay alert, always praying that you will have the strength to escape all the things that will happen and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.”
Berean Standard Bible
So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
American Standard Version
But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
World English Bible Messianic
Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Watche therefore, and pray continually, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these thinges that shall come to passe, and that ye may stand before the Sonne of man.
Young's Literal Translation
watch ye, then, in every season, praying that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are about to come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.'
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In the KJVVerse 25,863 of 31,102
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Commentary on Luke 21 verses 29–38
29 ¶ And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.
Here, in the close of this discourse,
I. Christ appoints his disciples to observe the signs of the times, which they might judge by, if they had an eye to the foregoing directions, with as much certainty and assurance as they could judge of the approach of summer by the budding forth of the trees, Luk 21:29-31. As in the kingdom of nature there is a chain of causes, so in the kingdom of providence there is a consequence of one event upon another. When we see a nation filling up the measure of their iniquity, we may conclude that their ruin is nigh; when we see the ruin of persecuting powers hastening on, we may thence infer that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand, that when the opposition given to it is removed it shall gain ground. As we may lawfully prognosticate the change of the seasons when second causes have begun to work, so we may, in the disposal of events, expect something uncommon when God is already raised up out of his holy habitation (Zac 2:13); then stand still and see his salvation.
II. He charges them to look upon those things as neither doubtful nor distant (for then they would not make a due impression on them), but as sure and very near. The destruction of the Jewish nation, 1. Was near (Luk 21:32): This generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled. There were some now alive that should see it; some that now heard the prediction of it. 2. It was sure; the sentence was irreversible; it was a consumption determined; the decree was gone forth (Luk 21:33): "Heaven and earth shall pass away sooner than any word of mine: nay, they certainly shall pass away, but my words shall not; whether they take hold or no, they will take effect, and not one of them fall to the ground," Sa1 3:19.
III. He cautions them against security and sensuality, by which they would unfit themselves for the trying times that were coming on, and make them to be a great surprise and terror to them (Luk 21:34, Luk 21:35): Take heed to yourselves. This is the word of command given to all Christ's disciples: "Take heed to yourselves, that you be not overpowered by temptations, nor betrayed by your own corruptions." Note, We cannot be safe if we be secure. It concerns us at all times, but especially at some times, to be very cautious. See here, 1. What our danger is: that the day of death and judgment should come upon us unawares, when we do not expect it, and are not prepared for it, - lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be found the furthest thing from our thoughts which ought always to be laid nearest our hearts, lest it come upon us as a snare; for so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven; to them it will be as a snare. See Ecc 9:12. It will be a terror and a destruction to them; it will put them into an inexpressible fright, and hold them fast for a doom yet more frightful. 2. What our duty is, in consideration of this danger: we must take heed lest our hearts be overcharged, lest they be burdened and overloaded, and so unfitted and disabled to do what must be done in preparation for death and judgment. Two things we must watch against, lest our hearts be overcharged with them: - (1.) The indulging of the appetites of the body, and allowing of ourselves in the gratifications of sense to an excess: Take heed lest you be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, the immoderate use of meat and drink, which burden the heart, not only with the guilt thereby contracted, but by the ill influence which such disorders of the body have upon the mind; they make men dull and lifeless to their duty, dead and listless in their duty; they stupify the conscience, and cause the mind to be unaffected with those things that are most affecting. (2.) The inordinate pursuit of the good things of this world. The heart is overcharged with the cares of this life. The former is the snare of those that are given to their pleasures: this is the snare of the men of business, that will be rich. We have need to guard on both hands, not only lest at the time when death comes, but lest at any time our hearts should be thus overcharged. Our caution against sin, and our care of our own souls, must be constant.
IV. He counsels them to prepare and get ready for this great day, Luk 21:36. Here see, 1. What should be our aim: that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things; that, when the judgments of God are abroad, we may be preserved from the malignity of them; that either we may not be involved in the common calamity or it may not be that to us which it is to others; that in the day of death we may escape the sting of it, which is the wrath of God, and the damnation of hell. Yet we must aim not only to escape that, but to stand before the Son of man; not only to stand acquitted before him as our Judge (Psa 1:5), to have boldness in the day of Christ (that is supposed in our escaping all those things), but to stand before him, to attend on him as our Master, to stand continually before his throne, and serve him day and night in his temple (Rev 7:15), always to behold his face, as the angels, Mat 18:10. The saints are here said to be accounted worthy, as before, Luk 20:35. God, by the good work of his grace in them, makes them meet for this happiness, and, by the good will of his grace towards them, accounts them worthy of it: but, as Grotius here says, a great part of our worthiness lies in an acknowledgment of our own unworthiness. 2. What should be our actings in these aims: Watch therefore, and pray always. Watching and praying must go together, Neh 4:9. Those that would escape the wrath to come, and make sure of the joys to come, must watch and pray, and must do so always, must make it the constant business of their lives, (1.) To keep a guard upon themselves. "Watch against sin, watch to every duty, and to the improvement of every opportunity of doing good. Be awake, and keep awake, in expectation of your Lord's coming, that you may be in a right frame to receive him, and bid him welcome." (2.) To keep up their communion with God: "Pray always; be always in an habitual disposition to that duty; keep up stated times for it; abound in it; pray upon all occasions." Those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world that live a life of prayer in this world.
V. In the last two verses we have an account how Christ disposed of himself during those three or four days between his riding in triumph into Jerusalem and the night in which he was betrayed. 1. He was all day teaching in the temple. Christ preached on week-days as well as sabbath days. He was an indefatigable preacher; he preached in the face of opposition, and in the midst of those that he knew sought occasion against him. 2. At night he went out to lodge at a friend's house, in the mount of Olives, about a mile out of town. It is probable that he had some friends in the city that would gladly have lodged him, but he was willing to retire in the evening out of the noise of the town, that he might have more time for secret devotion, now that his hour was at hand. 3. Early in the morning he was in the temple again, where he had a morning lecture for those that were willing to attend it; and the people were forward to hear one that they saw forward to preach (Luk 21:38): They all came early in the morning, flocking to the temple, like doves to their windows, to hear him, though the chief priests and scribes did all they could to prejudice them against him. Sometimes the taste and relish which serious, honest, plain people have of good preaching are more to be valued and judged by than the opinion of the witty and learned, and those in authority.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 29–38. Public domain.
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Clement of Alexandria (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 215
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(Clem. Al. lib. ii. Pædag. c. 2.) Drunkenness is an excessive use of wine; crapula is the uneasiness, and nausea attendant on drunkenness, a Greek word so called from the motion of the head. And a little below. As then we must partake of food lest we suffer hunger, so also of drink lest we thirst, but with still greater care to avoid falling into excess. For the indulgence of wine is deceitful, and the soul when free from wine will be the wisest and best, but steeped in the fumes of wine is lost as in a cloud.
TertullianAD 220
On the Resurrection of the Flesh
"Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all those things, and to stand before the Son of man; " that is, no doubt, at the resurrection, after all these things have been previously transacted.
CyprianAD 258
Treatise VII. On the Mortality 2
Beloved brothers and sisters, whoever serves as a soldier of God stationed in the camp of heaven already hopes for the divine things. He should recognize himself so that we should have no fear or dread at the storms and whirlwinds of the world. Through the encouragement of his provident voice, the Lord predicted that these things would come when he was instructing, teaching, preparing and strengthening the people of his church to endure everything to come. Christ foretold and prophesied that wars, famine, earthquakes and epidemics would arise in the various places. So that an unexpected and new fear of destructive agencies might not shake us, he forewarned that adversity would increase in the last times. Note that the things that were spoken of are happening. Since the things that were foretold are happening, whatever he promises will also follow. The Lord himself promises, “When you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.” The kingdom of God, beloved brothers and sisters, has drawn near. The reward of life, the joy of eternal salvation, the perpetual happiness and the possession of paradise once lost are now coming as the world passes away.
Eusebius of Caesarea (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 339
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
He taught them therefore to take heed unto the things we have just before mentioned, lest they fall into the indolence resulting therefrom. Hence it follows, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that shall come to pass.
Titus of Bostra (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 378
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
As if He says, Beware lest the eyes of your mind wax heavy. For the cares of this life, and surfeiting, and drunkenness, scare away prudence, shatter and make shipwreck of faith.
Basil of Caesarea (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 379
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(Hom. 1. in illud Atten de tibi.) Every animal has within itself certain instincts which it has received from God, for the preservation of its own being. Wherefore Christ has also given us this warning, that what comes to them by nature, may be ours by the aid of reason and prudence: that we may flee from sin as the brute creatures shun deadly food, but that we seek after righteousness, as they wholesome herbs. Therefore saith He, Take heed to yourselves, that is, that you may distinguish the noxious from the wholesome. But since there are two ways of taking heed to ourselves, the one with the bodily eyes, the other by the faculties of the soul, and the bodily eye does not reach to virtue; it remains that we speak of the operations of the soul. Take heed, that is, Look around you on all sides, keeping an ever watchful eye to the guardianship of your soul. He says not, Take heed to your own or to the things around, but to yourselves. For ye are mind and spirit, your body is only of sense. Around you are riches, arts, and all the appendages of life, you must not mind these, but your soul, of which you must take especial care. The same admonition tends both to the healing of the sick, and the perfecting of those that are well, namely, such as are the guardians of the present, the providers of the future, not judging the actions of others, but strictly searching their own, not suffering the mind to be the slave of their passions, but subduing the irrational part of the soul to the rational. But the reason why we should take heed He adds as follows, Lest at any time your hearts be overcharged, &c.
(in Reg. Brev. ad int. 88.) But carefulness, or the care of this life, although it seems to have nothing unlawful in it, nevertheless if it conduce not to religion, must be avoided. And the reason why He said this He shows by what comes next, And so that day come upon you unawares.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.41-43
You see him in the clouds. I certainly do not think that Christ will come in the darkness of mist and the chill of rain. The clouds are visible and surely cover the heaven in foggy cold. How has he set his tabernacle in the sun if his coming brings the rain? Some clouds suitably cover the radiance of the heavenly mystery. Some clouds grow moist with the dew of spiritual grace. Consider the cloud in the Old Testament. “He spoke to them,” it says, “in a pillar of cloud.” … He comes in a calm cloud in the Song of Songs, shining with the joy of a bridegroom. He also comes in a swift light cloud, incarnate of the Virgin. The prophet saw him as a cloud coming from the east. He fittingly said, “a light cloud,” that earthly vices would not weigh down. See the cloud upon which the Holy Spirit came and the power of the Most High overshadowed. When Christ will appear in the clouds, the tribes of the earth will grieve over themselves.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 45
The fig tree therefore has a double meaning: when the wild is tamed or when sins abound. Like the believer’s faith that shriveled up before it will flower, so also sinners will glory through the grace of their transgressions. On the one hand is the fruit of faith, and on the other the lewdness of unbelief. The gardening of the Evangelist as farmer produces the fruit of the fig tree for me. We must not despair if sinners cover themselves with the leaves of the fig tree as with a garment of deceit, so that they may veil their conscience. Leaves without fruit are therefore suspicious.
Bede (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 735
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Now supposing a physician should bid us beware of the juice of a certain herb, lest a sudden death overtake us, we should most earnestly attend to his command; but when our Saviour warns us to shun drunkenness and surfeiting, and the cares of this world, men have no fear of being wounded and destroyed by them; for the faith which they put in the caution of the physician, they disdain to give to the words of God.
BedeAD 735
On the Gospel of Luke
Therefore, watch at all times, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. He who desires to stand before the Son of Man, and to serve Him day and night in His temple according to the Revelation of John, and not to be cursed and cast into eternal fire away from His sight, should not only be restrained from worldly allurements but also pray and fast, and this not on certain days but at all times, just as the psalm says: I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm XXXIII). For in this manner, he will be worthy to dwell in the house of the Lord, to praise Him forever and ever.
Theophylact of Ohrid (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 1107
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Our Lord declared above the fearful and sensible signs of the evils which should overtake sinners, against which the only remedy is watching and prayer, as it is said, And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time, &c.
For that day will not come when men are expecting it, but unlooked for and by stealth, taking as a snare those who are unwary. For as a snare shall it come upon all them that sit upon the face of the earth. But this we may diligently keep far from us. For that day will take those that sit on the face of the earth, as the unthinking and slothful. But as many as are prompt and active in the way of good, not sitting and loitering on the ground, but rising from it, saying to themselves, Rise up, begone, for here there is no rest for thee. To such that day is not as a perilous snare, but a day of rejoicing.
Namely, hunger, pestilence, and such like, which for a time only threaten the elect and others, and those things also which are hereafter the lot of the guilty for ever. For these we can in no wise escape, save by watching and prayer.
And because a Christian needs not only to flee evil, but to strive to obtain glory, He adds, And to stand before the Son of man. For this is the glory of angels, to stand before the Son of man, our God, and always to behold His face.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Luke 21:36 serves as Jesus' concluding exhortation to His disciples, urging them to maintain constant spiritual vigilance and persistent prayer. This command is given in light of His preceding prophecies concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of His second coming, emphasizing the critical need for believers to remain spiritually alert and devoted to God so that they may be found prepared and faithful to endure the coming tribulations and confidently stand in the presence of the Son of Man.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Luke 21:36 is a powerful Exhortation from Jesus, directly commanding His disciples to specific actions. The use of the Imperative Mood ("Watch ye," "pray") underscores the urgency and non-negotiable nature of these commands. The phrase "Son of man" is a significant Messianic Title, often used by Jesus to refer to Himself, highlighting His dual nature as both fully human and divinely authoritative, particularly in His role as eschatological Judge and King. There is a clear Contrast implied between the fate of the watchful and prayerful versus the unprepared, who will be caught off guard by the coming events. The concept of "escaping" and "standing before" also employs Metaphorical Language, representing spiritual deliverance and vindication rather than merely physical evasion.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 21:36 is deeply rooted in biblical eschatology, emphasizing the tension between God's sovereign plan and human responsibility. It underscores the New Testament's consistent call for believers to live in active expectation of Christ's return, not with fear, but with hopeful readiness. The "worthiness" mentioned is not a merit-based achievement but a state of being found faithful and prepared through God's grace and the believer's obedient response of watching and praying. This verse highlights the profound spiritual battle believers face in the last days, where spiritual vigilance and persistent communion with God are the primary means of endurance and ultimate vindication. It connects the practical disciplines of discipleship (watching and praying) directly to the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate consummation of His kingdom.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 21:36 provides a timeless and urgent call for every believer to cultivate a lifestyle of spiritual readiness. In a world increasingly marked by uncertainty, distraction, and moral decay, Jesus' command to "watch" means more than just being aware of current events; it means discerning them through a biblical lens, recognizing the spiritual forces at play, and understanding God's overarching purposes. It calls us to be sober-minded, not easily swayed by worldly anxieties or temptations that can dull our spiritual senses. Coupled with watching, the command to "pray always" underscores our absolute dependence on God. Prayer is not merely an activity but a continuous posture of reliance, a lifeline that keeps us connected to divine strength, wisdom, and peace amidst the storms of life. Together, vigilance and prayer empower us to navigate life's challenges with spiritual resilience, enabling us to stand firm in our faith and be found faithful when Christ returns. This verse challenges us to examine our priorities, ensuring that our lives are aligned with God's will and that we are actively preparing for His glorious appearing, living with an eternal perspective that shapes our daily choices.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "accounted worthy" mean in this context? Is it about earning salvation?
Answer: "Accounted worthy" (Greek: kataxióō) in Luke 21:36 does not imply earning salvation through human merit. Instead, it refers to being divinely deemed fit, qualified, or prepared. It's about being found in a state of readiness and faithfulness when the Lord returns or when trials intensify. This worthiness is a result of God's grace enabling a believer's obedient response to Jesus' commands to watch and pray. It's about being found in Christ, having faithfully stewarded the spiritual disciplines He prescribed, rather than having accumulated enough good works to "deserve" escape or standing. The emphasis is on faithful perseverance and spiritual alertness, which God graciously recognizes and honors.
What are "all these things that shall come to pass" that believers are to escape?
Answer: "All these things that shall come to pass" refers to the severe tribulations and judgments that Jesus prophesied would precede His return. In the immediate context of Luke 21, this includes the destruction of Jerusalem (which occurred in A.D. 70) and its temple, as well as broader signs of the end times such as wars, famines, pestilences, persecutions, and cosmic disturbances (see Luke 21:7-27). The "escape" (Greek: ekpheúgō) does not necessarily promise a physical removal from all suffering or hardship, but rather a spiritual preservation, divine protection, or enablement to endure and be delivered through the most devastating aspects of these events. It signifies being spared from the full force of God's wrath or being found faithful and secure in Christ when these events unfold.
How does prayer help us "escape" and "stand before the Son of man"?
Answer: Prayer is presented as a vital means by which believers maintain spiritual strength and discernment, enabling them to navigate and endure the coming tribulations. By "praying always," believers stay intimately connected to God, receiving His wisdom, guidance, and power. This continuous communion helps them remain spiritually vigilant ("watch"), resist temptation, and avoid being weighed down by worldly anxieties (as warned in Luke 21:34). This spiritual readiness, nurtured through prayer, is what makes them "accounted worthy" to escape the full destructive impact of the trials and to confidently "stand before the Son of man" at His return, being found among the faithful who are welcomed into His eternal presence.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 21:36 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ, who is both the object of our watchful expectation and the one who enables our "worthiness" to stand before Him. The "Son of man" is Jesus Himself, who will return in power and glory as judge and king (as described in Luke 21:27). Our ability to "escape all these things" and "stand before the Son of man" is not based on our own merit, but entirely on the finished work of Christ. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, making us righteous in God's sight (as seen in John 1:29). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, He has secured our salvation and given us access to God's grace, allowing us to approach His throne with confidence (as encouraged in Hebrews 4:16). The call to watch and pray, therefore, is an invitation to abide in Him, to draw upon His strength, and to live in light of His promised return, knowing that our ultimate hope and security are found in Him alone, ensuring that we will not be put to shame at His coming (as promised in 1 John 2:28) but will confidently stand in His glorious presence.