New Testament · Gospel

Luke 17:22

Faith Like a Mustard Seed

Then He said to the disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Luke 17:22 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Luke 17:22, in plain English

Then Jesus tells His disciples privately: 'A time is coming when you'll long to see me again, but you won't — not yet.'

Why it's here

He's preparing them for the gap between His departure and His return — a time of longing, patience, and faith without sight.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks tenderly to His closest followers about the difficult season of waiting that lies ahead.

Where it sits in the story

There will be days of longing, days of wishing He were here. Jesus wants them to know that's normal — and that He's coming back.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus shifts to address His disciples about the future, warning they will 'long to see' (epithymēsete idein) one of 'the days of the Son of Man' but will not. This suggests a period of absence and longing before the parousia.

Language and setting

This transitions from the 'already' of the kingdom's presence (v.21) to the 'not yet' of its consummation, introducing eschatological teaching about the Son of Man's return.

Voice

Jesus speaks privately to His disciples about the difficult interim between His departure and return, preparing them for a period of waiting.

Significance

Jesus warns His disciples: a time is coming when you'll desperately want to see the Son of Man return, but you'll have to wait.

In context

Luke 17:20–24

20When asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God will not come with observable signs.

21Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is,’ or ‘There it is.’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

22Then He said to the disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.

23People will tell you, ‘Look, there He is!’ or ‘Look, here He is!’ Do not go out or chase after them.

24For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day.

Read all of Luke 17 — Ten lepers are cleansed, but only one returns to say thank you — and he's the outsider. Jesus teaches that the kingdom comes without warning.

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