Luke 21:25
What does Luke 21:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 21:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 21:25 means
Jesus now describes cosmic and earthly signs that will precede His ultimate return. There will be "signs in sun and moon and stars," indicating celestial disturbances, alongside "distress of nations" on earth, characterized by perplexity at the "roaring of the sea and the billows." These dramatic phenomena signify a profound disruption in both the natural order and human society. They are divine signals, generating fear and confusion among unbelievers, pointing to a climactic moment in human history.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth, fear among the nations and doubt because of the loud noise of the sea and the waves;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And there shall be signs in sun, and moon, and stars, and on the land <FI>is<Fi> distress of nations with perplexity, sea and billow roaring;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea, and of the waves:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity [at] the roar of the sea and rolling waves,
Context
This verse marks a significant transition from the specific prophecies about Jerusalem's destruction (verses 20-24) to the broader signs of the end of the age and Christ's Second Coming. It introduces cosmic disturbances and global distress, setting a grander, more universal stage. These awe-inspiring, unsettling signs lead directly into the description of humanity's frightened reaction in verse 26 and the ultimate appearance of the Son of Man in verse 27.
v.24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
v.25This passage
v.26men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 15:33
And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
- Mark 13:26
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
- Acts 2:19
And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
- Isaiah 5:30
And they shall roar against them in that day like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold, darkness and distress; and the light is darkened in the clouds thereof.
- Ezekiel 32:7
And when I shall extinguish thee, I will cover the heavens, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light.
- Isaiah 13:10
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in its going forth, and the moon shall not cause its light to shine.
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