1 Thessalonians 4:17

After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian church, addressing their grief over believers who have died and their uncertainty about the order of events at Christ's return.

The words — perileipomenoi (G4035), "remaining," is a present passive participle marking the living as those "left" at that moment, in contrast to the dead in Christ who rise first (v. 16).

The thread — 1 Corinthians 15:52 places the same event at the last trumpet; Revelation 11:12 shows the two witnesses ascending in a cloud; John 14:3 grounds the promise in Christ's own words about being with Him.

Why it lands — The verse is not a comfort to be felt but a fact to be held: the living will not be separated from the dead in Christ, and that certainty is the basis for mutual encouragement (v. 18).

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 15:52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Revelation 11:12 And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.
Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.
Revelation 7:14 “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Daniel 7:13 In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
John 17:24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
Matthew 26:64 “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.