Luke 21:26

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

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples on the Mount of Olives while describing the cosmic signs and earthly distress that will precede his return. He speaks to them as they observe Jerusalem and anticipate the culmination of the age.

The words — The Greek ἀποψυχόντων (apopsuchontōn) literally means "fainting away" or "losing breath," describing physical collapse from dread. It is paired with προσδοκίας (prosdokias), meaning "expectation," to show that terror stems from anticipating the coming judgments.

The thread — Matthew 24:29 records the darkening of the sun and moon, while 2 Peter 3:10 describes the heavens disappearing with a roar. Deuteronomy 28:65 frames this pattern of divine judgment bringing psychological and physical collapse.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that cosmic disturbances will trigger human paralysis, pointing directly to the imminent arrival of the Son of Man in glory. It requires the reader to acknowledge the stated sequence of events without adding comfort or speculation beyond what is written.

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

ἀποψυχόντωνapopsuchontōnwhen are fainting ἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōnmen ἀπὸapofrom φόβουphoboufear καὶkaiand προσδοκίαςprosdokiasexpectation τῶνtōnof that which ἐπερχομένωνeperchomenōnis coming τῇtēaon the οἰκουμένῃ·oikoumenēearth;αἱhai<the>γὰρgarfor δυνάμειςdunameisthe powers τῶνtōnof the οὐρανῶνouranōnheavens σαλευθήσονται.saleuthēsontaiwill be shaken.

King James Version

Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 28:65 Among those nations you will find no repose, not even a resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a despairing soul.
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’
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.
Leviticus 26:36 As for those of you who survive, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies, so that even the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. And they will flee as one flees the sword, and fall when no one pursues them.
Mark 13:25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’
Deuteronomy 28:32 Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, while your eyes grow weary looking for them day after day, with no power in your hand.
Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,