1 Thessalonians 4:17
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:17 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 4:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 4:17 means
After the resurrection of the dead in Christ, those believers who are alive will be “caught up… in the clouds” together with them to meet the Lord “in the air.” The emphasis falls on reunion—“together with them”—and, above all, on abiding fellowship: “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” This is the believer’s final good: unbroken presence with Jesus, shared by the whole redeemed family. The imagery underscores God’s initiative in gathering His people and the certainty of their destiny. Whatever questions remain, the central promise is clear and sufficient: Christ returns, His people are gathered, and their life with Him is everlasting.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then we who are still living will be taken up together with them into the clouds to see the Lord in the air: and so will we be for ever with the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862then we who are living, who are remaining over, together with them shall be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in air, and so always with the Lord we shall be;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890then we, the living who remain, shall be caught up together with them in [the] clouds, to meet the Lord in [the] air; and thus we shall be always with [the] Lord.
Context
Verse 17 completes the sequence begun in verses 15–16: the Lord descends, the dead in Christ rise first, and then the living are caught up with them. The climactic note is perpetual union with the Lord, which frames the entire hope. With the events set in order, Paul will in verse 18 apply the teaching: these words are meant to comfort and sustain believers in grief and trial. The passage thus moves from confusion and sorrow (v. 13) to sure consolation grounded in the Lord’s return and the final gathering of His people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 7:14
And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
- Philippians 1:23
But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:
- 2 Corinthians 5:8
we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
- 1 Kings 18:12
And it will come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of Jehovah will carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he will slay me: but I thy servant fear Jehovah from my youth.
- Isaiah 35:10
and the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
- Revelation 21:22
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof.
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