Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
Luke 21:27 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 27. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Luke 21:27 uses Danielic cloud-coming language for the Son of Man within apocalyptic hope.
When the powers shake, he tells them to look up
This verse is one part of that explanation in Luke 21:25–21:28. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- Luke 21:25–21:28
Read Luke 21:27 with 21:25–21:28. In isolation, this contribution—uses Danielic cloud-coming language for the Son of Man within apocalyptic hope—can be detached from its speaker, audience, scene or teaching sequence, and outcome. The complete unit establishes: Signs in sun, moon, stars, sea, and nations accompany fear and shaken powers; the Son of Man comes in cloud, and disciples are told to stand because redemption draws near.
Follow the Context
- Identify the actors, setting, and initiating speech or action in Luke 21:25–21:28.
- Signs in sun, moon, stars, sea, and nations accompany fear and shaken powers; the Son of Man comes in cloud, and disciples are told to stand because redemption draws near.
- Hold this material interpretive limit in view: Apocalyptic imagery draws on Israel's prophets and can signify historical upheaval and final divine disclosure. Its relationship to 70 CE and future consummation should remain open.
What This Verse Is Not Saying
This verse does not detach its specific contribution—uses Danielic cloud-coming language for the Son of Man within apocalyptic hope—from the complete unit or override the unit's explicit boundary: The imagery does not authorize astronomical prediction, conspiracy mapping, disaster exploitation, or contempt for people overwhelmed by fear.
What Remains True
Luke 21:27 uses Danielic cloud-coming language for the Son of Man within apocalyptic hope. Read inside Luke 21:25–21:28, this contribution supports the unit's proportionate truth: Signs in sun, moon, stars, sea, and nations accompany fear and shaken powers; the Son of Man comes in cloud, and disciples are told to stand because redemption draws near. Its use remains accountable to affected people and the unit's explicit boundary.
Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read Luke 21:25–21:28 — Cosmic Distress Gives Way to the Son of Man and HopeSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
Apocalyptic imagery draws on Israel's prophets and can signify historical upheaval and final divine disclosure. Its relationship to 70 CE and future consummation should remain open.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact displayed KJV wording, verse order, paragraph metadata, supplied-word markup, and coverage.
Exact location: Luke 21:25–21:28, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM-derived repository corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording and sentence relations; the edition is not treated as a complete apparatus.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT official repository, data/sblgnt/text/Luke.txt, 21:25–21:28
Open the Luke Greek text file ↗open translation and translator notes
NET Bible First Edition Notes: Luke
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2006
Supports: Verse-level translation, syntax, KJV-language clarification, historical notes, Synoptic parallels, and textual alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible First Edition Luke PDF, exact tn/tc/sn entries attached to Luke 21:25–21:28
Open source ↗