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Luke 21:11

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And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

And {G5037} great {G3173} earthquakes {G4578} shall be {G2071} in {G2596} divers places {G5117}, and {G2532} famines {G3042}, and {G2532} pestilences {G3061}; and {G5037} fearful sights {G5400} and {G2532} great {G3173} signs {G4592} shall there be {G2071} from {G575} heaven {G3772}.

there will be great earthquakes, there will be epidemics and famines in various places, and there will be fearful sights and great signs from Heaven.

There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

and there shall be great earthquakes, and in divers places famines and pestilences; and there shall be terrors and great signs from heaven.

Commentary

This verse from Luke 21 is part of Jesus's prophetic discourse, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse (parallel to Matthew 24 and Mark 13). Here, Jesus is answering questions from his disciples about the signs that will precede the destruction of the temple and his coming.

Context

Luke 21:11 is embedded within Jesus's detailed prophecy about the end times and the destruction of Jerusalem. Following warnings against deception and false messiahs, Jesus describes various tribulations and signs that will occur before his return. This verse specifically lists natural disasters and celestial phenomena as indicators of that future period, distinct from the persecution of believers mentioned in subsequent verses (Luke 21:12).

Key Themes

  • Natural Disasters: The mention of "great earthquakes," "famines," and "pestilences" points to widespread natural calamities that will increase in frequency and intensity.
  • Fearful Signs: "Fearful sights and great signs from heaven" suggest unusual or alarming phenomena that will occur in the sky or atmosphere, intended to cause fear or draw attention.
  • Signs of the End Times: These events are presented not merely as isolated incidents, but as significant indicators pointing towards the approach of the end of the age and the return of Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version uses the term "divers places," which simply means "various places" or "many different locations." The Greek word translated "pestilences" (loimos) specifically refers to plague or disease, indicating widespread illness. "Fearful sights" (phobētra) conveys terrifying things or portents, while "great signs" (sēmeia megala) implies significant, perhaps miraculous or supernatural, indicators.

Cross-References

Similar prophecies regarding these signs appear in parallel accounts of the Olivet Discourse, such as Matthew 24:7 and Mark 13:8, which also list nation rising against nation, kingdoms against kingdom, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. The concept of signs in the heavens is also echoed in apocalyptic literature like the book of Revelation.

Reflection and Application

Jesus's description of these events serves as a warning and a call to readiness, not to panic. While natural disasters and unusual phenomena have occurred throughout history, their increasing frequency and intensity are presented here as part of a larger prophetic picture. For believers, seeing these signs should not lead to fear, but to watchfulness and a renewed focus on the hope of Christ's return. It reminds us that this world is not our permanent home and that we should be watchful and prayerful.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 24:29 (5 votes)

    Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

  • Matthew 24:30 (5 votes)

    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.

  • Luke 21:25 (3 votes)

    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;

  • Luke 21:27 (3 votes)

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