Luke 17 22

Luke 17:22 kjv

And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

Luke 17:22 nkjv

Then He said to the disciples, "The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.

Luke 17:22 niv

Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.

Luke 17:22 esv

And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.

Luke 17:22 nlt

Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see the day when the Son of Man returns, but you won't see it.

Luke 17 verses

Luke 17 22 Meaning

Jesus forewarns His disciples of a future time of intense tribulation and longing. During this period, they will earnestly desire to experience any manifestation of the Son of Man's kingly presence or visible intervention to bring relief, but such distinct, observable appearances will not occur. This points to an intermediate time of waiting, persecution, and the potential for deception before the glorious, unmistakable, and universal return of the Son of Man described in the subsequent verses.

Luke 17 22 Context

Luke chapter 17 is part of Jesus's journey toward Jerusalem, where He gives specific teachings to His disciples. Preceding verse 22, Jesus responds to the Pharisees' question about the coming of the Kingdom of God, stating it "is not coming with signs to be observed" and "the kingdom of God is in your midst" (17:20-21). This establishes that the Kingdom's presence is not external and spectacle-driven, but internal and spiritual for the present age. Following verse 22, Jesus provides detailed descriptions of the actual, unmistakable, and sudden coming of the Son of Man, likening it to lightning (17:24) and the days of Noah and Lot (17:26-30). Therefore, Luke 17:22 serves as a pivotal transitional verse, distinguishing the current "hidden" nature of the kingdom from a future period of intense longing before the truly definitive and glorious advent of the Son of Man. It speaks of a time of enduring absence, unlike the present or the final glorious revelation. Historically, this period likely refers to the interval between Jesus' ascension and His second coming, especially times of great persecution for believers when a visible messianic intervention would be ardently sought.

Luke 17 22 Word analysis

• Then He said: Introduces a direct teaching from Jesus (He, referring to Jesus) to His followers.
• to the disciples: The audience is specifically Jesus' closest followers, implying an intimate teaching about the future for those who would face trials and witness the "absence" of visible divine intervention.
• "The days will come": (Greek: ἥξουσιν ἡμέραι - hexousin hēmerai). A clear future indicator. It signifies a specific, defined period in time, foreshadowing a season of hardship or challenging circumstances for believers.
• "when you will desire": (Greek: ἐπιθυμήσετε - epithymēsete). This verb denotes a strong, earnest, passionate longing or yearning. It's not a casual wish but a profound desire, born possibly out of tribulation and the hope for immediate relief or vindication.
• "to see": (Greek: ἰδεῖν - idein). To perceive with the eyes, to behold, to experience a visible manifestation.
• "one of the days of the Son of Man": (Greek: μίαν τῶν ἡμερῶν τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου - mian tōn hēmerōn tou Huiou tou Anthrōpou).
  • "Son of Man": This is Jesus' most frequent self-designation, highlighting both His full humanity and His unique, divinely appointed role as the apocalyptic judge and King, often drawing from Dan 7:13-14. It connects His identity to ultimate authority and the establishment of God's Kingdom.
  • "one of the days": This specific phrasing is crucial. It does not refer to the glorious day of His final return (which will be seen), but rather to any specific day, a visible manifestation of His kingdom power, or a demonstration of His presence or intervention before the consummation. The disciples would long for specific instances of His demonstrable power, perhaps during times of intense persecution, which would provide relief or clear signs of His authority.
• "and you will not see it": (Greek: καὶ οὐκ ὄψεσθε - kai ouk opsesthe). A blunt, unambiguous negative statement. The fervent longing for such interim visible manifestations or specific acts of the Son of Man's kingdom power will not be satisfied during this period. This reinforces the idea of a "delay" or a time when the Son of Man's kingly presence will not be visibly manifest to provide relief, distinguishing it from His final, unmistakable coming.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "The days will come when you will desire to see": This phrase sets the stage for a period of desperate spiritual hunger. It signals that believers will experience times so dire that they will deeply long for any sign of divine intervention or a return to the easier, direct presence of their Lord.
• "one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it": This pivotal clause emphasizes the spiritual struggle and the nature of this waiting period. The longing is for a specific, manifest demonstration of Christ's rule, perhaps a lesser revelation, but Jesus declares it will be absent. This period, therefore, is characterized by endurance, faith, and living without constant, direct visual confirmation of the Lord's active, visible reign until His final return. It is a time for caution against those claiming premature or localized sightings of Christ, as mentioned in subsequent verses.

Luke 17 22 Bonus section

The concept of "delay" or "absence" articulated in Luke 17:22 is a foundational element in understanding Christian eschatology, particularly the Parousia. This period cultivates enduring faith rather than relying on constant empirical verification. It tests the spiritual resolve of believers, preparing them not to be misled by those who proclaim the Lord's return in secret places or limited demonstrations. This passage implicitly reinforces the doctrine of patient suffering as part of the disciples' journey, urging them to find their hope and sustenance in an inner, spiritual connection with God's Kingdom (as stated in Luke 17:21), rather than outward spectacles during an era of "unseen" dominion of the Son of Man before His final, global manifestation. It shapes the church's role as a people of hopeful anticipation, but also of present endurance.

Luke 17 22 Commentary

Luke 17:22 presents Jesus' somber but essential teaching about the interim period between His departure and His glorious Second Coming. It warns His disciples, and by extension all believers, of a future marked by intense tribulation and the resultant fervent longing for a visible intervention from the "Son of Man." The desire is not for the final "Day of the Lord" itself, which will be unmistakable and seen by all (Luke 17:24), but rather for specific, palpable demonstrations of His messianic presence or kingdom power during difficult times.

The stark truth delivered is that this longing for a particular, comforting manifestation will go unfulfilled. This highlights a crucial aspect of Christian discipleship in the present age: living by faith during an era of the "unseen" Christ, persevering through hardship without immediate, visible messianic signs. This reality serves as a powerful deterrent against falling for false messiahs or seeking out localized, sensationalist "sightings" (as subsequent verses directly warn), as such a period of "absence" is Divinely ordained. The true "coming" will be universal, unmistakable, and beyond human orchestration. The verse calls for patient endurance, a reliance on the Holy Spirit's unseen work, and faithful perseverance through times when God's deliverance or the Lord's direct presence is fervently desired but not yet outwardly revealed.