Luke 21:25

There 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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples in the Temple, forecasting the destruction of Jerusalem and the culmination of the age. He describes cosmic disturbances and earthly panic as part of this unfolding judgment.

The words — ἔσονται (esontai) means "there will be," and σημεῖα (sēmeia) translates to "signs." These terms anchor the prediction in a future, observable event rather than a metaphor.

The thread — This imagery echoes prophetic judgments in Isaiah 13:10, Joel 2:30, and Revelation 6:12. Each passage links celestial disruption with divine action upon the earth.

Why it lands — The text states that nations will experience paralysis and confusion from cosmic and oceanic disturbances. It demands recognition of God’s sovereign control over history and creation before the final shaking of heavenly powers.

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

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Cross-references

Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.
Joel 2:30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.
Revelation 6:12 And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,
Isaiah 24:23 The moon will be confounded and the sun will be ashamed; for the LORD of Hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His elders with great glory.
Ezekiel 32:7 When I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light.
Daniel 12:1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
2 Peter 3:10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place at the wrath of the LORD of Hosts on the day of His burning anger.
Isaiah 51:15 For I am the LORD your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name.
Amos 8:9 And in that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the daytime.