Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 21:27
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
27. coming in a cloud ] Metaphorically in great world crises (Mat 16:17; Mat 16:28); actually at the Last Coming. Act 1:11; Mat 26:64; Rev 14:14.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Matthew seemeth to expound this, Mat 24:31; so doth Mar 13:27. Both speak to the same sense: And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from, one end of heaven to the other. This is certainly to be understood of the day of judgment, when the saints shall be glorified as the sons of God by adoption, and obtain the redemption of the body, Rom 8:23.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And then shall they see the son of man,….
[See comments on Mt 24:30].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And then shall they see ( ). As much as to say that it will be not till then. Clearly the promise of the second coming of the Son of man in glory here (Mark 13:26; Matt 24:30) is pictured as not one certain of immediate realization. The time element is left purposely vague.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And then shall they see the Son of man,” (kai tote opsontai ton huion tou anthropou) “And at that time-point they will see the Son (heir) of mankind,” the Savior they rejected, Joh 1:11-12; Mat 23:37-39; Pro 1:20-29; Mat 24:29-31; Mar 13:24-27; 1Th 4:16-17.
2) “Coming In a cloud,” (erchomenon en nephele) “Coming in a cloud,” as He went away, Act 1:10-11; Rev 1:7; Rev 14:14; Deu 30:3. For He makes the cloud His chariot, Psa 104:3.
3) “With power and great glory.” (meta dunameos kai dokses polles) “With dynamic power and much glory,” accompanying Him, to be glorified “in His saints,” the church, and “admired in all them that believe,” 2Th 1:10-11; Luk 24:25-26. This majesty and splendor will be with an attendant train of glory, Mat 25:31.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
“And then will they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
For one day that is what will happen. It will be the event to end all events. All will come to its conclusion. God will sum up history. And the Son of Man, spoken of by Daniel the prophet as having been given all dominion (Dan 7:13-14), will come personally and in great power and glory, seen by all, and lighting up the sky from east to west (Luk 17:24; Mar 13:26; Rev 1:7; Rev 19:11-16). For some it will bring fear as they look on the One Whom they had pierced, and from Whom they had turned away (Zec 12:10; Rev 1:7). For others it will bring joy, for they will be made like Him and see Him as he is (1Jn 3:1-3). It is the time of their final redemption. They are going home.
Or to put it another way the risen and enthroned Jesus will come visibly and in glory to receive His own and to bring judgment on the world (Mat 24:31; Act 1:11; 1Th 4:13-17; 2Th 1:7-10; Rev 1:7; Rev 11:12; Rev 19:11-16). This idea of His return has already been highlighted in the parables ( Luk 12:35-36; Luk 12:40; Luk 12:43; Luk 12:45; Luk 19:12; Luk 19:15), and is a new emphasis in the teachings of Scripture (compare Act 1:11). Previously it had been seen in terms of God acting climactically in world affairs, but now it is seen in terms of the One Who God has chosen, His only Son Who had become man, and now returns in person to bring about the consummation and then present all things to His Father, so that together with the Holy Spirit they may be all in all (1Co 15:23-28). It could only be vividly portrayed in this direct way once God had become man and had lived on earth.
It should be noted that Jesus has customarily called Himself ‘the Son of Man’ in front of His disciples. They could be in no doubt about Who was being referred to as ‘the Son of Man’. But to others not so much in the know it would be an enigmatic title, designed to make them reflect on its true nature. It was especially used by Him when thinking of the heavenly aspect of His activity, in order to distinguish the heavenly from the earthly, for He wished to keep a clear distinction before His disciples between His earthly and His heavenly life (Joh 3:13). But He also used it when claiming unearthly authority (Luk 5:24; Luk 6:5) and in order to bring out the greatness of His humiliation in becoming the suffering Servant (Luk 9:22; Luk 9:44; Luk 9:58). For as in Daniel 7 the glory of the son of man (where the term represents the king who comes before God as the representative of His suffering people) results from his and their having undergone suffering (compare Luk 24:26). The Apostles and the church recognised how enigmatic the title was when they mainly ceased using it after the resurrection. It was only used by Stephen in Act 7:56 where his point was that the Son of Man had received His throne as promised, and in Rev 1:13; Rev 14:14 where the point was of His glory in the heavens as One Who had come to the throne of God and had received authority to judge the world. Instead the early church thought of Him in terms of the risen and glorified Christ (Messiah) and Lord (Act 2:36). The Name no longer needed to be veiled. (In view of this lack of use by the early church it is quite astonishing that some try to claim that they invented it).
‘Coming in a cloud.’ The idea behind clouds is to indicate heavenly origin. But Luke deliberately presents the idea in the singular, bringing out even more the sense of the divine. For it was through a cloud that God constantly revealed His presence to His people (from Exo 13:21 onwards until Exo 40:34; Exo 40:36; Exo 40:38 and even beyond (e.g. Deu 31:15; 1Ki 8:10). To come in a cloud was the symbol of deity.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 21:27-28 . Comp. on Luk 21:27 ; Mat 24:30 ; Mar 13:26 .
] and then ; after the previous occurrence of these .
. ] but when these begin ; these appearances, Luk 21:25 f. They are therefore not conceived of as of long continuance.
. . .] lift yourselves up , raise yourselves (till then bowed down under afflictions, Luk 21:12 ff., comp. Luk 12:32 ) erect (hopefully). Comp. Dorville, ad Charit. p. 177.
. .] which shall follow by means of my Parousia . Comp. the , Luk 18:7 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Ver. 27. Coming in a cloud ] As on a chariot. SeeRev 1:7Rev 1:7 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Luk 21:27 . , in a cloud, sing., instead of the plural in parallels, making the conception more literal.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
see. Greek. opsomai. App-133.
the Son of man. App-98.
with. Greek. meta. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
[27. , coming) viz. to judgment. See Luk 21:36.- , in a cloud) The Singular. Comp. the note on Mat 24:30 (Whilst He shall have in His train many chariots; Plural; He shall ride in one chariot in particular: Singular).-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Son of man
(See Scofield “Mat 8:20”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
see: Dan 7:13, Mat 24:30, Mat 26:64, Mar 13:26, Act 1:9-11, Rev 1:7, Rev 14:14
with: Mat 16:27, Mat 16:28, Mat 25:31
Reciprocal: Zec 14:5 – the Lord Mat 10:23 – till Luk 17:30 – General Luk 21:7 – what Act 1:11 – shall Act 3:20 – General Jam 5:7 – unto Rev 10:1 – clothed
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN
Then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:27
The coming of Christ.
I. A real living Person. is coming. People think that religion is obeying certain rules and attending many services. But Christianity is faith in a living Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and believers commit themselves to Him.
II. He comes to us now.In His Word, by His ministers and stewards. At the Second Advent He will
III. Come to judge.Think, then, of our responsibility. At the Last Day Christ will judge us. Will our life, as we are now living it, bear the judgment of Christ?
IV. Can we face Christ?Is there any part of our life that He would have to condemn? Remember that God hates sin. But He loves us. Therefore Christs Second Advent need not be a terror to any but those who persist in their wickedness. Submit to His judgment now, when He comes, not to condemn, but to save. Then, when the Great Day comes, you will be accepted for His sake.
Rev. the Hon. James Adderley.
Illustration
Then, that is after the troubles of those days are over. Great trouble, and fear, and misery, our Lord tells us, will precede His coming. Great persecutions will be inflicted upon Christs people. The strong will persecute the weakthe world will persecute the Church. It will be a time of trial to the faith of all Christiansof fear and trouble and perplexitymens hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth. All this shall draw to a close. Either the persecution and the suffering will reach its climax and then come to an end, or the Second Advent shall break in upon it and interrupt it in the midst of its horrors.
(SECOND OUTLINE)
NEGLECT NOT PROPHECY
There are three things to notice:
I. The signs of the coming of the Son of Man (Luk 21:25-26). We know the value of signs in ordinary matters. By observation we can foretell what the weather will be (Mat 16:2-3). So of the coming seasons (Luk 21:29-30). In the same manner God would have us watch for Christs coming (Luk 21:31). The future belongs to God alone (Act 1:7; Deu 29:29; Isa 48:3-8); but He reveals coming events, and shows signs of them (see Luk 21:8-11; Luk 21:20-27). By these we should know the times (1Ch 12:32; Rom 13:11).
II. The blessings of the coming of the Son of Man (Luk 21:27-28). It is true that, as the Son of Man, He shall come for judgment (Joh 5:27); but to His people He shall bring redemption (Rom 8:23; Php 3:20-21). We read here that He shall come with power. This will be a blessing for His own (Psa 110:2-3; 2Co 13:4; Rom 1:4; Rev 11:15). We read also that He shall appear with great glory. It is for this glory that we wait (2Th 1:10; Rom 8:18).
III. The certainty of the coming of the Son of Man (Luk 21:32-33). What a blessed thing to know that these matters are not doubtful (Psa 119:89; Joh 10:35). They have had a partial accomplishment with regard to Jerusalem (Luk 21:20; Luk 21:24). This makes the Word sure to us (2Pe 1:19). But notice the words of Jesus (Luk 21:33. See Isa 54:10; Jer 33:20-21).
You may say, This is prophecy, and too hard for me; but think what prophecy is (Rev 19:10). Think what God says of it (2Pe 1:19; 1Th 5:20). Think how the Jews suffered for neglecting it (Neh 9:30). Let us receive it in faith (Luk 24:25); and so watch for our redemption drawing nigh.
Bishop Rowley Hill.
Illustration
What was it that largely kept up the courage of the garrison in Lucknow, and gave them strength to endure the horrors of that siege? It was the knowledge that Havelock and his men were hastening to bring them relief. We are not yet in the critical condition of a besieged city, but we are in the midst of enemies, powerful and numerous and very subtle. We are often tempted to surrender to the forces of darkness in times of weakness and discouragement. To know that reinforcements are on the way will put fresh courage into the stoutest-hearted soldiers. And this we do know, albeit the conflict thickens and faith is low, that Christ is coming back again.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
7
See the notes on Mat 24:30.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 21:27-28. Then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud They shall see the accomplishment of what Daniel foretold, by the figurative expression of, the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven; for the destruction of the Jewish nation by the Roman armies, and, in after ages, of other persecuting and antichristian powers, and the spreading of my gospel in consequence thereof, according to this my prediction, shall demonstrate to all unprejudiced persons, that I am the Son of man, prophesied of by Daniel, and that the conversion of the world to Christianity is the glorious universal kingdom which Daniel foretold was to be given to the Son of man; and this is the true sign from heaven, about which the Jews have been so solicitous. See note on Mat 24:30-31. With regard to the destruction of the Jewish nation, and the consequent downfall of their religious institutions, which they all along opposed to Christianity, it may be observed, that no events whatever could have contributed so effectually to the conversion of both Jews and Gentiles.
For it is a known fact, that while the Jewish constitution subsisted, the spreading of the gospel was hindered, both by the believing and unbelieving Jews; the former disgusting the Gentiles, by endeavouring to subject them to the law of Moses; and the latter, terrifying them by the persecutions which they raised against the disciples, even in heathen countries. But the abolition of the Mosaical institutions confuted the error of the one, and the destruction of the nation brake the power of the other. The success, therefore, of the gospel, depending in a great measure upon the downfall of the Jewish state, was very properly predicted as the natural consequence thereof. Moreover, as this prophecy described so minutely the catastrophe of the Jewish state, its accomplishment could not but make a strong impression upon the minds of the Gentiles, as we know in fact it did bring over many of them to Christianity. When these things begin to come to pass The things I have been predicting; then look up With firm faith; and lift up your heads With joy; for your redemption Out of many troubles; draweth nigh By Gods destroying your implacable enemies.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
When conditions are at their worst, people living on the earth then will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory (Dan 7:13; cf. Luk 9:36; 2Pe 1:16-17). He will come to set up the messianic kingdom and to reign on the earth for 1,000 years (Dan 7:14; Rev 20:1-6). The cloud may be the Shekinah (cf. Act 1:9-11).