Luke 21 30

Luke 21:30 kjv

When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

Luke 21:30 nkjv

When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.

Luke 21:30 niv

When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.

Luke 21:30 esv

As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.

Luke 21:30 nlt

When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near.

Luke 21 verses

Luke 21 30 Meaning

Luke 21:30 serves as an accessible parable spoken by Jesus, illustrating the ability to discern significant future events through observable signs. Just as the budding of trees unequivocally signals the imminent arrival of summer, so too will specific prophetic signs indicate the nearing of the Kingdom of God and the return of Christ. It emphasizes an inherent understanding derived from simple observation and highlights the self-evident nature of these indicators for those who are spiritually vigilant.

Luke 21 30 Context

Luke chapter 21 is often referred to as Jesus' "Olivet Discourse," a significant prophecy delivered on the Mount of Olives. Preceding verse 30, Jesus has described impending catastrophic events: the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues, persecution of believers, and frightening celestial disturbances (Lk 21:5-28). These signs depict a period of great distress before the dramatic, visible return of the Son of Man in power and glory (Lk 21:27). Amidst these grave predictions, verse 30, along with the "parable of the fig tree" (similar in Mt 24 and Mk 13), provides a message of clarity and hope. It moves from dire warnings to a practical lesson on discerning the imminence of God's redemptive plan. The analogy of trees budding leading to summer would have been universally understood in an agrarian society, making the spiritual truth instantly relatable for the original audience.

Luke 21 30 Word analysis

• When they now shoot forth (ὅταν προβάλωσιν ἤδη - hotan probalōsin ēdē):
  • ὅταν (hotan): "When," "whenever." Indicates a specific condition or point in time that, when met, triggers a subsequent action or recognition.
  • προβάλωσιν (probalōsin): From probállō, meaning "to throw forth," "put forth," "shoot forth." Refers specifically to the burgeoning of buds and leaves on trees, signifying new growth after winter. It denotes an undeniable, visible act, not a gradual, unnoticeable change.
  • ἤδη (ēdē): "Already," "now," "by this time." Emphasizes the immediacy and present reality of the signs. It's not a future possibility, but an observable current event. This word conveys that the moment the "shooting forth" begins, the understanding of "nearness" becomes current.
• ye see and know (ἀφ’ ἑαυτῶν γινώσκετε - aph’ heautōn ginōskete):
  • ἀφ’ ἑαυτῶν (aph’ heautōn): "From yourselves," "of your own selves," "by yourselves." This phrase is crucial; it means the knowledge is self-evident, intuitive, or derived directly from observation and common sense, without requiring external instruction or complex interpretation. It implies an inherent human capacity for observation and understanding natural patterns.
  • γινώσκετε (ginōskete): From ginōskō, meaning "to know," "to perceive," "to understand experientially." It implies not just intellectual knowledge but a practical, intuitive understanding of the significance of the budding. It's a continuous state of knowing as you observe.
• that summer is now nigh at hand (ὅτι ἐγγὺς τὸ θέρος ἐστίν - hoti engys to theros estin):
  • ὅτι (hoti): "That," introducing the conclusion of what is known.
  • ἐγγὺς (engys): "Near," "at hand," "close." It denotes proximity in time or space. Its inclusion stresses the immediacy and certainty of summer's arrival.
  • τὸ θέρος (to theros): "The summer," "the harvest." In the ancient world, summer often represented the season of maturity, fruitfulness, and harvest, but also the culmination of seasons leading to judgment (as harvest separated good from bad, Mt 13:30, 39). In the context of the Olivet Discourse, it symbolically refers to the ultimate advent of the Kingdom of God and Christ's final coming and judgment.
  • ἐστίν (estin): "Is." Simple indicative, confirming the reality of summer's nearness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "When they now shoot forth, ye see": This phrase establishes the connection between visible, natural phenomena and human perception. The signs are clear, requiring no deep esoteric wisdom, just attentiveness to what is unfolding. The "now" emphasizes the immediacy of the observation.
• "and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand": This portion emphasizes the resulting understanding. The knowledge isn't speculative; it's a certainty derived "of your own selves," reinforcing the straightforward and undeniable nature of the signs. "Summer" represents the prophetic consummation. The transition from physical observation to spiritual understanding is seamless for those who pay attention.

Luke 21 30 Bonus section

• The analogy of "summer" is rich; while primarily signifying warmth and harvest (positive for ripened fruit), it also carries the connotation of a "dry season" or a time of intense heat, which can, in prophetic contexts, subtly allude to periods of testing or judgment before final glory.
• This verse counters any passive waiting or fatalism. It calls for an active, engaged spiritual discernment (understanding the "signs of the times," Matt 16:3) that connects observed realities with prophetic truths.
• Jesus' teaching ensures His followers are equipped to recognize the nearness of His coming not through panic or despair but through informed expectation, allowing them to lift their heads (Lk 21:28) rather than cower in fear.

Luke 21 30 Commentary

Luke 21:30 serves as a pivotal analogy within Jesus' Olivet Discourse. After outlining a series of escalating tribulations and signs preceding His return, Jesus provides a practical and comforting lesson for His disciples. He urges them not to be overwhelmed by the complexity or severity of the prophesied events but to approach them with the same natural discernment applied to daily life. Just as a common, observable phenomenon like tree budding instinctively informs an agricultural people about the coming summer (a season of culmination, often harvest and growth, but also finality), so too should the unfolding prophetic signs unmistakably point to the imminent establishment of God's Kingdom and Christ's ultimate return. The phrase "of your own selves" underscores that this understanding isn't obscure or hidden, but accessible through simple observation and the wisdom gained from God's pattern in creation. The teaching fosters vigilance and hope, preparing believers to recognize God's timing without knowing the precise hour, and to stand ready amidst the world's unfolding chaos.

• Example for practical usage: A farmer observes tiny sprouts appearing in spring; he "knows of his own self" that the warm summer harvest is "nigh at hand" even without checking a calendar.
• Example for practical usage: A Christian observes increasing moral decay, global unrest, and apostasy within the church, recognizing these as Scriptural "signs shooting forth" that the Lord's return and the ultimate harvest of souls are "nigh at hand."