Luke 21:36 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

NIV: Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

NASB: But stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.'

CSB: But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man."

NLT: Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.'

KJV: Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

NKJV: Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

This completes Jesus' warnings about the hardships His followers and the world will experience between the time of His ascension and His second coming. The disciples will face betrayal and persecution (Luke 21:12–17). The Jews will watch as the Romans destroy Jerusalem and dismantle the temple (Luke 21:20–24). Before Jesus' return, the heavens and earth will inflict supernatural violence on the people (Luke 21:25–26). Through it all, the whole world will deal with false saviors, war, and natural disasters (Luke 21:8–11).

While we wait, especially as the time of His return nears, we need to reject the escapism and hedonism of partying and drunkenness. We need to put the concerns of our earthly lives into proper perspective. When we meet Jesus, whether after death or at His arrival to claim His kingdom, will we be able to stand? Will He greet us saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23)? Will we enter into His rest as He rules for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4–6)? Or are we among those who have rejected Him and will tremble in horror as they are banished to eternal torment by our Judge (Revelation 20:11–15; John 3:16–18, 36)?

We can't be prepared by sheer force of will. Peter tried and failed (Luke 22:31–34, 54–62). We need the strength of the Holy Spirit, so we must pray. Only through the Holy Spirit can we stand firm against false teachers, betrayal, and physical dangers.

These warnings are especially important as Jesus' earthly ministry moves closer and closer to the crucifixion (Luke 19:28—21:38). The religious leaders and Jews have all the evidence they need to determine that Jesus is the Messiah. They will reject Him, arrest Him, and kill Him (Luke 22—23). The disciples will flee in fear. But then, Jesus will rise again. He will ascend into heaven. The Holy Spirit will come to His followers, and the disciples will find the courage they need to stand (Acts 1—2).

"Son of Man" has two facets. In Daniel 7:13–14, the Ancient of Days gives the Son of Man dominion over the world. This will happen at Jesus' return. But the phrase also points out that Jesus is wholly human as well as wholly God (Philippians 2:6–7).

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.