Luke 21:32
What does Luke 21:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 21:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 21:32 means
Jesus emphatically states, "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished." This verse has generated much discussion, but it most likely means that the generation alive when these signs begin to unfold will also witness their full completion, including the ultimate return of Christ. Alternatively, "this generation" could refer to the Jewish people, who would continue to exist as a distinct people until all things concerning the end times are fulfilled. This emphasizes the certainty and relatively rapid unfolding of prophesied events once they commence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Truly I say to you, This generation will not come to an end till all things are complete.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862verily I say to you--This generation may not pass away till all may have come to pass;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall in no wise pass away until all come to pass.
Context
This verse immediately follows the parable of the fig tree (verses 29-31) and further reinforces the certainty and timing of the prophetic events. It serves as a strong affirmation of the swiftness of these prophecies once they begin. This declaration of the enduring nature of this particular generation is followed by an even grander statement in verse 33 about the eternal reliability of Jesus' own words, cementing the truth of His entire discourse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 16:28
Verily I say unto you, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
- Matthew 24:34
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished.
- Matthew 23:36
Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
- Mark 13:30
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, until all these things be accomplished.
- Luke 11:50
that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
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