Luke 21 9

Luke 21:9 kjv

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Luke 21:9 nkjv

But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."

Luke 21:9 niv

When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."

Luke 21:9 esv

And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once."

Luke 21:9 nlt

And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don't panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won't follow immediately."

Luke 21 verses

Luke 21 9 Meaning

Luke 21:9 functions as a crucial clarification within Jesus' Olivet Discourse. It instructs disciples not to panic or interpret geopolitical upheaval, such as wars and civil disturbances, as the immediate harbinger of the ultimate end. These events, while inevitable as part of God's sovereign plan, are mere precursors—necessary preliminary stages—and do not signify the instant consummation of all things. This verse teaches discernment and steadfast faith over alarmism.

Luke 21 9 Context

Luke 21 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivered shortly before His crucifixion, as He sat on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple. The disciples' initial question, sparked by Jesus' prophecy of the Temple's complete destruction (Lk 21:5-6), centers on the timing of these events and the signs of His coming and the "end of the age" (compare Mt 24:3). The historical context for the original audience in the 1st century Roman-occupied Judea was one of simmering tension, frequent Jewish insurrections against Roman authority, and pervasive expectations of a coming Messiah and an imminent end to Gentile oppression. Jesus' discourse systematically warns against deceptive Messiah figures (Lk 21:8) and, as in verse 9, clarifies that widespread civil unrest and warfare are not indicators of the immediate end but are divinely purposed precursors. This passage served as crucial guidance for believers navigating a tumultuous political landscape leading up to the Jewish War (AD 66-73) and the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, urging them to discern truth from panic and to trust in God's predetermined timeline.

Luke 21 9 Word analysis

• But: (δὲ - de) A conjunction marking a transition or slight contrast, introducing Jesus' specific instruction in response to implied worries.

• when you hear of: (ὅταν ἀκούσητε - hotan akousēte) This suggests a future scenario that will certainly be experienced or learned about. "To hear" signifies more than passive listening; it means to learn of or be informed about significant events.

• wars: (πολέμους - polemous) Plural of πόλεμος (polemos), meaning armed conflict or campaigns. It refers to large-scale international or national conflicts.

• and commotions: (καὶ ἀκαταστασίας - kai akatastasias) Plural of ἀκαταστασία (akatastasia), signifying instability, disorder, unrest, disturbances, or tumults. This term is distinct from "wars" and refers specifically to civil strife, internal uprisings, or violent political disorder within a society.

• do not be terrified: (μὴ πτοηθῆτε - mē ptoēthēte) A strong prohibition. Πτοέω (ptoeō) means to be scared out of one's wits, to be panic-stricken, or deeply alarmed to the point of dismay. It's a command not to yield to overwhelming fear or spiritual paralysis.

• for these things: (γὰρ ταῦτα - gar tauta) "For" introduces the reason behind the preceding command, directly referencing the "wars and commotions."

• must come to pass: (δεῖ γενέσθαι - dei genesthai) "Must" (δεῖ - dei) conveys divine necessity, a binding obligation, or God's preordained decree, indicating that these events are part of His plan and cannot be otherwise. "Come to pass" (γενέσθαι - genesthai) means to occur or happen. Together, they emphasize the divinely certain occurrence of these prophecies.

• first: (πρῶτον - prōton) An adverb meaning "first" in sequence. It emphatically places these events as initial or preliminary stages, preceding more decisive events towards the ultimate end.

• but the end: (ἀλλ' οὐκ εὐθέως τὸ τέλος - all' ouk eutheōs to telos) "But" (ἀλλὰ - alla) introduces a strong contrast. "The end" (τέλος - telos) refers to the final consummation, termination, or ultimate goal—here, specifically, the end of the age and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

• will not be immediately: (οὐκ εὐθέως - ouk eutheōs) "Not" (οὐκ - ouk) provides a direct negation. "Immediately" (εὐθέως - eutheōs) means straightway, at once, without delay. This clarifies that a discernible period will exist between these initial signs and the ultimate climax.

• "But when you hear of wars and commotions": This phrase anticipates the global and internal unrest that will characterize the period leading up to the end. It emphasizes the hearing of these events, which has the potential to incite fear if believers lack proper discernment.

• "do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first": This core instruction pairs a command for composure with its theological rationale. The imperative "do not be terrified" directly addresses emotional responses to chaotic events. The reason provided, "these things must come to pass first," reveals a divine certainty and preordained order, placing these events as necessary, initial stages within God's larger timetable.

• "but the end will not be immediately.": This concluding declaration serves as a vital safeguard against panic and misinterpretation. It explicitly states that a significant time gap exists between these preliminary "birth pains" and the ultimate "end." It urges patience and perseverance rather than hasty, alarmist reactions.

Luke 21 9 Bonus section

This verse is closely aligned with the concept of "birth pangs" or "labor pains" (explicitly stated in Mt 24:8 and Mk 13:8), vividly describing the nature of these preliminary events: they are painful, increasingly frequent, and signal the coming of a major event, yet are distinct from the event itself. The divine "must" (Greek: dei) highlights that these events are not random occurrences or merely human chaos, but are integral, foreordained components of God's overarching prophetic plan. Jesus' instruction "do not be terrified" directly counters the temptation to succumb to anxiety or speculative fixation on end-times, encouraging instead a focus on faithful living and God's secure timeline. The specific mention of "commotions" (akatastasias) distinct from "wars" is significant; it underscores Jesus' foresight regarding pervasive social and political unrest that extends beyond international conflict to internal societal breakdown. This clarity acts as a protective measure against false claims of the "end" being present, ensuring believers are not led astray by deceptive teachings based on readily observable turmoil.

Luke 21 9 Commentary

Luke 21:9 serves as a vital anchor for believers navigating times of global or civil unrest. Jesus provides both a predictive element—that wars and internal disturbances will be a feature of the intermediate period—and a pastoral admonition: "Do not be terrified." This command directly challenges the human tendency towards fear and anxiety when faced with seemingly overwhelming chaos. The necessity of these events, "they must come to pass first," is rooted in God's sovereign plan. They are not random occurrences but part of His ordained prophetic timetable. Jesus makes a critical distinction: these aren't the end itself, nor do they signal the immediate end. They are the initial "birth pangs," indicating that God's plan is advancing, but further, more profound events must unfold before the consummation. The verse calls for spiritual discernment, distinguishing between preliminary signs and the ultimate divine culmination, thereby fostering patient endurance and a confident trust in God's unfailing timing rather than succumb to alarmism.