Luke 21:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

NIV: People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

NASB: people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

CSB: People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

NLT: People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

KJV: Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

NKJV: men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Here, Jesus more fully describes the reaction of the people during the horrors of the tribulation. The sun, moon, and stars will dim, rage, and turn dark (Revelation 6:12–13; 8:12; 16:8–11). The seas will turn to blood and everything in it will die (Revelation 8:8; 16:3). The nations will be distressed and confused (Luke 21:25).

The people will faint with fear. They will crawl into caves, begging the stones to cover them, to hide them from the Son of Man (Revelation 6:15–16). But there will be no escape. It is time for God to judge the world for seeking authority in themselves, their own creations, and demons, instead of submitting to their Creator (Romans 1:18–23).

At this time, the "powers of the heavens will be shaken." Satan, the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) will find his power slipping. He will hold tight to the Antichrist but fall powerless when Jesus returns "in a cloud with power and great glory" (Luke 21:27). Jesus will destroy both the physical and economical Babylon (Revelation 17—18), annihilate the Antichrist and his armies (Revelation 19:11–21), imprison Satan (Revelation 20:1–3), and take His rightful throne for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4–6).

The disciples still think Jesus is going to expel the Romans and restore Israel to independence. They don't realize that within days Jesus will hang on the cross. Even after His resurrection, they anticipate His kingdom (Acts 1:6). Jesus is telling them His followers must first face a lot of hardship, persecution, and horror. But their redemption will come (Luke 21:28).

Luke 21:25–28 records the last section of Jesus' prophecy about the challenges the Jews and His followers will face. After war, natural disasters, persecution, the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, and the times of the Gentiles, the Son of Man will appear and judge the world. It is at this moment that Jesus-followers can be confident that Jesus' time has come. In anticipation, Jesus admonishes His followers to stay sober and alert, to make the most of the time before He returns (Luke 21:29–36). This warning is also in Matthew 24:29–31 and Mark 13:24–27 but it originates in Daniel 7:13–14.

Luke 21 records the last of Jesus' teachings before the Last Supper, His arrest, and His crucifixion. Luke 21:1–4 fits well with the themes of Luke 19:28—20:47. Luke 21:5–11 describes how false messiahs, war, and natural disasters will become normal. Luke 21:12–24 prophesies challenges prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Luke 21:25–28 moves to the tribulation. Luke 21:29–36 is Jesus' instructions about the disciples' lives and ministries with respect to the delayed kingdom. Luke 21:37–38 is a note about Jesus' schedule in the days between the triumphal entry and His arrest.

Luke 21 finishes the presentation of Jesus in Jerusalem as the Messiah of the Jews. This lays a foundation for the Passion Narrative: the final days before Jesus is crucified. Luke 19:28—20:47 covered most of the discussions about His authority which are completed with His words about the widow's sacrificial offering (Luke 21:1–4). The rest of the chapter records His warnings to the disciples about the violence they, the temple, Jerusalem, and the world will face between His ascension and His return. Matthew 24 and Mark 12:41—13:37 cover the same material.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.