Luke 21:25

Luke 21:25, in plain English

Jesus describes a time when even the sky and sea will seem to go haywire, and the whole world will be shaken and confused by what's happening.

Why it's here

After talking about Jerusalem's destruction, Jesus zooms out to describe signs on a global and cosmic scale — this is about the whole world now.

Who's speaking

Jesus is preparing His followers for massive, unmissable signs that will announce His return to the whole earth.

Where it sits in the story

Imagine looking up and seeing the sun, moon, and stars behaving strangely while the ocean roars with terrifying power. That's the scene Jesus paints — a world shaken to its core. But for those who know Him, these are signs that something incredible is about to happen.

The scholarly reading

Jesus describes cosmic signs (sēmeia) in sun, moon, and stars, drawing on Joel 2:30-31 and Isaiah 13:10. The phrase synochē ethnōn en aporia (dismay of nations in perplexity) uses medical language — synochē denotes a constriction or anguish.

Language and setting

The shift from Jerusalem's fall to cosmic upheaval marks a transition in the discourse from near-historical events to the ultimate eschatological consummation and the return of the Son of Man.

Voice

Jesus speaks as eschatological prophet, describing universal signs that will precede His return and affect all nations, not just Israel.

Significance

The scope widens from Jerusalem to the entire cosmos. Sun, moon, stars, seas — creation itself convulses. The nations stand bewildered, unable to explain or control what is happening. This cosmic drama sets the stage for the Son of Man's glorious return.

23How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people.

24They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves.

26Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Read all of Luke 21 — A widow drops two coins into the treasury, and Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple. The end is coming, but so is redemption.