Luke 21 25

Luke 21:25 kjv

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 21:25 nkjv

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:25 niv

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

Luke 21:25 esv

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,

Luke 21:25 nlt

"And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.

Luke 21 verses

Luke 21 25 Meaning

Luke 21:25 describes striking and universal cosmic and earthly disturbances that will precede the second coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of God's kingdom. It paints a picture of intense signs in the celestial bodies – the sun, moon, and stars – and on the earth, where nations will be gripped by overwhelming anguish and bewilderment due to the tumultuous roaring of the sea and its waves. These are portents, divinely appointed indicators of the impending end of the age and a radical shift in human history.

Luke 21 25 Context

Luke 21:25 is part of the "Olivet Discourse," where Jesus delivers prophecies concerning the end times, prompted by His disciples' questions about the destruction of the Temple and the signs of His coming (Lk 21:5-7). The preceding verses (Lk 21:20-24) primarily describe the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, framing it as a local fulfillment of prophecy and a partial "judgment of the nations" for Israel. Luke 21:25 then transitions to a much broader, global, and cosmic scale of events, indicating the definitive "times of the Gentiles" coming to an end and heralding the actual Second Coming of Christ.

Historically, the Jewish people were familiar with apocalyptic literature and prophetic warnings of a "Day of the Lord" marked by cosmic disruption. These prophecies often portrayed the stability of the heavens as indicative of divine order and their perturbation as a sign of divine intervention and judgment. Against pagan beliefs that might attribute chaotic natural events to capricious gods or impersonal forces, Jesus asserts that these "signs" are deliberate and divinely controlled indicators of God's pre-ordained eschatological timeline, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all creation, from the smallest wave to the most distant star.

Luke 21 25 Word analysis

• And: kai (καί) - Connects this description of cosmic and earthly upheaval directly to the preceding events of the times of the Gentiles, indicating a sequential progression from local historical judgments to universal eschatological events.
• there will be signs: esontai sēmeia (ἔσονται σημεῖα) - From sēmeion (σημεῖον), meaning a sign, token, wonder, miracle. Not merely natural phenomena, but specific, divinely intended signals that point to something greater – the return of Christ and the end of the age.
• in the sun: en hēliō (ἐν ἡλίῳ) - Referring to the star that gives light to Earth. Its disruption indicates a fundamental disordering of the natural world, a direct challenge to human certainty and perceived stability.
• and in the moon: kai selēnē (καὶ σελήνῃ) - The natural satellite of Earth. Its disturbance, often coupled with the sun's in prophecy, underscores the total nature of the cosmic disarray.
• and in the stars: kai astrosyn (καὶ ἄστροις) - The celestial bodies visible at night. Together, these three (sun, moon, stars) represent the entirety of the heavens, signifying a comprehensive breakdown of the normal order of the cosmos.
• and upon the earth: kai epi gēs (καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς) - Directing attention from the heavens to the global human sphere, highlighting the universal scope of the unfolding events.
• distress: synochē (συνοχή) - Literally "holding together," hence a strait, tightness, or pressure; by extension, anguish, great trouble, distress, tribulation, a state of being hemmed in with no escape. It conveys a sense of intense, inescapable agony for humanity.
• of nations: ethnōn (ἐθνῶν) - From ethnos (ἔθνος), referring to distinct peoples, Gentiles, or all non-Jewish nations. This suffering is universal, not confined to one people group or region.
• with perplexity: en aporia (ἐν ἀπορίᾳ) - From aporia (ἀπορία), meaning "no passage," "no way out." It describes utter helplessness, despair, confusion, and being at a complete loss for what to do or understand. This reflects humanity's inability to cope or comprehend the overwhelming events.
• the sea and the waves: thalassēs kai ēchous (θαλάσσης καὶ ἠχοῦς) - Refers to the physical bodies of water and the sound made by them. The "waves roaring" (lit. "sounding") is ēchou, an onomatopoeic word, capturing the thunderous, overwhelming, and terrifying sound of agitated waters.
• roaring: ēchous (ἠχοῦς) - The specific word for a loud sound or roar, particularly used here to describe the tumultuous and terrifying sound of the agitated sea and waves. Symbolically, the sea in biblical literature often represents chaotic, rebellious forces, or the Gentile nations themselves. Its "roaring" can signify not just literal natural disasters like tsunamis or storms, but also the tumultuous uprising and unrest among the nations, further intensifying the sense of global crisis and fear.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars": This phrase denotes an astronomical spectacle of dis-creation or undoing of the normal order. The Creator God, who established these luminaries for signs and seasons (Gen 1:14), will use them as unmistakable signals of the end of the current age, reversing their roles from consistent guides to chaotic harbingers. It implies a divinely orchestrated global darkening and disruption.
• "upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity": This grouping depicts the profound human response to the cosmic and earthly upheaval. The "distress" (synochē) speaks to physical and emotional anguish, a crushing burden, while "perplexity" (aporia) highlights intellectual and spiritual disorientation – humanity has no answers, no solutions, and no escape. This global anguish signifies an end to self-sufficiency and reliance on human systems.
• "the sea and the waves roaring": This imagery evokes primeval chaos (Gen 1:2), God's judgment, and the overwhelming, uncontrollable forces of nature or rebellious humanity. The roaring of the sea represents both literal cataclysmic ocean events (like massive storms or tsunamis) and the tumultuous, rebellious unrest of the peoples and powers of the world. It’s a sensory description that conveys overwhelming, untamable force and utter chaos, further amplifying the terror of the nations.

Luke 21 25 Bonus section

The specific description of "the sea and the waves roaring" might allude to multiple layers of meaning beyond literal maritime phenomena. In Jewish apocalyptic tradition, the sea often symbolized the Gentile nations or even the forces of chaos and evil. Therefore, the "roaring of the sea and waves" could metaphorically signify not just literal tsunamis or overwhelming ocean events, but also the clamor, uproar, and destructive turmoil of the nations of the world, leading to international unrest, wars, and social breakdown in an unparalleled manner. This multifaceted interpretation adds to the holistic nature of the predicted global crisis, encompassing both the natural and political spheres. Furthermore, the terrifying nature of these signs stands in stark contrast to God's calming presence for His elect; while the world dissolves into chaos, believers are to look up with hope, knowing their redemption is near. This demonstrates the contrasting perspectives and destinies depending on one's relationship with God amidst the unfolding cosmic drama.

Luke 21 25 Commentary

Luke 21:25 provides a vivid prophetic description of the cataclysmic signs marking the culmination of the present age and the prelude to Christ's return. The passage transitions from the judgment on Jerusalem to a worldwide event. The celestial disturbances – darkened sun, bloodied moon, falling stars – are not merely natural phenomena but are portrayed as specific, God-ordained signs (σημεῖα) indicating a divine shaking of the cosmos. This shakes humanity's fundamental understanding of stability, moving beyond familiar historical upheavals to an unprecedented cosmic disorder. Simultaneously, on Earth, the response is one of "distress" (συνοχή, intense pressure/anguish) and "perplexity" (ἀπορίᾳ, utter helplessness), as nations confront the raw, terrifying power of the "roaring sea and waves," a potent biblical symbol for chaos, rebellion, and judgment. These signs are a universal, inescapable testimony to God's ultimate sovereignty and the approach of His final intervention, causing terror for the unprepared, yet serving as a hopeful signal for believers (Lk 21:28).