Luke 21:27 kjv
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:27 nkjv
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:27 niv
At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:27 esv
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:27 nlt
Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 7:13-14 | “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming...” | Prophecy of the Son of Man's coming with clouds to receive eternal dominion. |
| Matt 24:30 | “and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky... and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.” | Parallel passage, emphasizes visible sign and powerful return. |
| Mk 13:26 | “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” | Parallel passage, affirming the Son of Man's glorious, powerful return. |
| Acts 1:9-11 | “and as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood by them... ‘This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’” | Links Jesus' ascension on a cloud to His future return on a cloud. |
| Rev 1:7 | “BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.” | Emphasizes universal visibility and the global impact of His return. |
| Matt 16:27 | “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.” | Connects His coming with divine glory and righteous judgment. |
| Tit 2:13 | “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,” | Refers to His return as a glorious appearance, highlighting His divine nature. |
| 1 Thess 4:16-17 | “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God... and we will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air...” | Describes the return, the trumpet call, and believers meeting Him in the clouds. |
| 2 Pet 3:10 | “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar...” | Points to the sudden and powerful nature of the Lord's coming, impacting creation. |
| 1 Cor 15:52 | “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” | Associates His return with the final trumpet and bodily resurrection. |
| Zec 12:10 | “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son...” | Old Testament prophecy of looking upon Him "whom they have pierced," echoed in Rev 1:7 regarding His coming. |
| Isa 19:1 | “The oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt; The idols of Egypt will tremble at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt within it.” | Depicts God's manifestation and judgment in relation to a cloud. |
| Ps 97:2-6 | “Clouds and thick darkness surround Him... Fire goes before Him... His lightning illuminates the world... The mountains melt like wax before the Lord...” | Describes God's powerful, cloud-shrouded majestic appearance and judgment. |
| Exod 19:9 | “The Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe you forever."” | God's visible presence to Moses and Israel manifested in a cloud. |
| Exod 40:34-38 | “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle... Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.” | The cloud as a physical manifestation of God's dwelling presence and guidance. |
| Matt 25:31 | “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.” | Emphasizes the glorious and judicial aspect of His coming, seating on the throne. |
| Heb 9:28 | “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” | States Christ will "appear a second time" for the salvation of His own. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW...” | Connects Christ's future glory and universal recognition to His exaltation. |
| John 14:3 | “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” | Jesus' promise of His return to take His followers to be with Him. |
| Rev 22:20 | “He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” | The final declaration and plea for the Lord's swift return. |
Luke 21 verses
Luke 21 27 Meaning
Luke 21:27 proclaims the climactic and undeniable return of Jesus Christ, referred to as the Son of Man. This return will not be hidden or in weakness, but will be a universally visible event, characterized by immense power and resplendent divine glory. It signifies His ultimate vindication, kingship, and role as judge, following a period of great tribulation and cosmic disturbances. This is the fulfillment of prophetic declarations concerning His second coming.
Luke 21 27 Context
Luke 21:27 is part of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. This discourse (Luke 21:5-36; parallel to Matt 24 and Mk 13) addresses questions about the destruction of the Temple and the signs preceding His second coming. Jesus begins by prophesying the Temple's complete destruction (Luke 21:5-6), which historically occurred in A.D. 70. He then describes signs that will precede this local event (wars, earthquakes, famines, persecutions – Luke 21:7-19). However, the discourse shifts to include the "days of vengeance" leading to Jerusalem's devastation (Luke 21:20-24). Critically, the language in verses 25-27 transcends merely historical events and moves into the ultimate eschatological period—signs in the sun, moon, and stars, cosmic upheaval, and distress among nations. Luke 21:27 distinctly describes the universal and majestic Second Coming of Jesus, the Son of Man, after these global signs. It assures believers of His glorious appearing, offering both hope and a warning to watch and be ready. It directly follows descriptions of fear and perplexity among people due to these cataclysmic events, presenting Christ's arrival as the decisive culmination of history.
Luke 21 27 Word analysis
- Then (τότε, tote): Meaning: At that time, consequently. Significance: This temporal adverb indicates a specific sequence. It ties the coming of the Son of Man directly to the preceding cosmic and earthly signs (sun, moon, stars, sea roaring, men fainting from fear). His coming is the ultimate, decisive event after these signs unfold. It emphasizes inevitability and fulfillment of the divine timeline.
- they will see (ὄψονται, opsontai): Meaning: From horao, to see with the eyes, to perceive. Future active indicative. Significance: Universal visibility. This will not be a secret or spiritual coming but a literal, undeniable, and universally observable event by all humanity, whether believers or unbelievers. It carries the weight of prophecy fulfilled before all.
- the Son of Man (τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ton Hyion tou anthrōpou): Meaning: This is Jesus' most frequent self-designation, combining human identification with divine authority. Significance: Identity: Rooted in Daniel 7:13-14, where "one like a Son of Man" comes with the clouds of heaven and is given everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom. Authority: Implies divine sovereignty, judicial power, and ultimate Kingship. In contrast to His earthly humility and suffering (e.g., Lk 9:22, 12:8), this title here points to His future majesty and vindication. Continuity: Emphasizes that the humble Nazarene is indeed the prophesied cosmic Lord, bridging His past humiliation with His future triumph.
- coming (ἐρχόμενον, erchomenon): Meaning: Present participle, "coming, arriving." Significance: Denotes a progressive and observable arrival. It’s an active movement towards the earth, a dynamic process of revelation. It highlights the imminent and sure reality of His approach.
- in a cloud (ἐν νεφέλῃ, en nephelē): Meaning: Literal "cloud" or "clouds." Significance: Divine Presence: In the Old Testament, a cloud often signified God's physical manifestation (Exod 19:9, 40:34-38; Isa 19:1; Ps 97:2). It represented the Shekinah glory, the visible manifestation of God. Transcendence/Heavenly Origin: Suggests coming from heaven, a divine transport. It directly links to Jesus' ascension, where He was "taken up in a cloud" (Acts 1:9). Judgment: Clouds are also associated with divine judgment and swift arrival in OT prophecy. Royalty/Dominion: A King often rides into His kingdom, but this "riding on clouds" emphasizes a supernatural, divine authority over creation itself, setting Him apart from earthly monarchs.
- with power (μετὰ δυνάμεως, meta dynameōs): Meaning: With inherent might, divine ability, authority, miraculous force. Significance: Contrasts with His earthly ministry, which, while powerful, was often limited by human perception or faith. This power is absolute, unchallengeable, affecting the very fabric of creation, demonstrating His divine omnipotence and control. It relates to the judgment He will execute.
- and great glory (καὶ δόξης πολλῆς, kai doxēs pollēs): Meaning: Splendor, radiance, divine majesty, visible manifestation of divine nature. Significance: This emphasizes the absolute visible splendor and honor that accompanies His return. It's the complete revelation of His divine nature, unmasked. This "glory" signifies His divine essence and royalty. It marks His exaltation, fulfilling prophecies like Philippians 2:9-11. It's a re-manifestation of the Creator's inherent magnificence.
- Words-Group Analysis: "the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory": This phrase is a powerful summation of the Parousia (the Greek term for Christ's second coming). It vividly portrays the cosmic event that culminates history as we know it. It presents Jesus not merely as a human figure but as the Divine Sovereign (Son of Man from Daniel), manifesting Himself directly from the heavenly realm (in a cloud), exercising absolute divine might (with power), and radiating the visible majesty of God (great glory). This composite image is one of indisputable authority, cosmic significance, and divine judgment, overturning any skepticism or opposition. It's the definitive self-revelation of the victorious Christ, bringing hope to the waiting believer and warning to the unbelieving world. It is the antithesis of His first humble, suffering advent.
Luke 21 27 Bonus section
- Purpose: This spectacular coming of the Son of Man serves a dual purpose: it is the time of salvation and vindication for believers (Luke 21:28, "your redemption is drawing near") and the time of judgment for unbelievers.
- Polemic: The grand imagery of Luke 21:27, particularly "Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory," serves as a direct polemic against prevailing Roman imperial power and their claims to divine authority. Jesus asserts His own true, eternal, and universal kingship that will supersede all earthly empires and rule.
- Certainty: Jesus' declarative statement
ὄψονται(they will see) conveys absolute certainty regarding this future event. It is not a possibility but a divine decree, as certain as the rising of the sun. - Contrast with A.D. 70: While part of the Olivet Discourse can be interpreted as having initial fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the cosmic scale, universal visibility, and inherent power and glory of Luke 21:27 unmistakably point to a greater, singular eschatological event yet to occur. It’s distinct from a merely historical "coming in judgment" against Jerusalem.
Luke 21 27 Commentary
Luke 21:27 offers a profound glimpse into the final culmination of history from Jesus’ own lips. Following His discourse on signs preceding the destruction of Jerusalem and later, the end of the age, this verse presents the decisive event: the Second Coming of the Son of Man. This return will be unequivocally visible to all people, distinguishing it from any spiritual or non-physical interpretations. The descriptor "Son of Man," consistently used by Jesus throughout His ministry, connects His humble first coming with His ultimate cosmic role, specifically drawing from Daniel's vision of an authoritative figure receiving eternal dominion. His arrival "in a cloud" evokes Old Testament manifestations of God's presence, majesty, and judgment, emphasizing its heavenly, supernatural origin. The accompanying "power and great glory" signifies an unassailable display of His divine might and splendor, demonstrating His unchallengeable authority over creation and judgment. This event represents Christ’s total triumph and the public vindication of His identity, assuring believers of His future reign and serving as a sober warning to those who deny Him. It's the moment when all things are set right under His sovereign rule.