Luke 21:28

When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples immediately after describing the cosmic signs and the Son of Man returning in power and glory. He speaks to them at the moment the prophesied events are beginning to unfold.

The words — The Greek ἀνακύψατε (anakupsate) and ἐπάρατε (eparate) literally command the listeners to "do look up" and "do lift up" their heads. These imperatives frame the required physical and mental posture when the described events commence.

The thread — The directive to rise and the expectation of approaching redemption parallel the call in Isaiah 60:1 to arise as God's glory appears. Paul similarly ties the believer's present spiritual state to the future expectation of redemption in Romans 8:23 and Ephesians 4:30.

Why it lands — The text commands immediate alertness and an elevated posture as a direct response to the onset of the described events. It requires the reader to acknowledge the present reality of approaching redemption and adjust their stance accordingly.

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

ἈρχομένωνArchomenōnBeginning δὲdethen τούτωνtoutōnof these things γίνεσθαιginesthaito come to pass ἀνακύψατεanakupsatedo look up καὶkaiand ἐπάρατεeparatedo lift up τὰςtasthe κεφαλὰςkephalasheads ὑμῶνhumōnof you διότιdiotibecause ἐγγίζειengizeidraws near ἡhēthe ἀπολύτρωσιςapolutrōsisredemption ὑμῶν.¶humōnof you.

King James Version

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Cross-references

Romans 8:23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Isaiah 12:1 In that day you will say: “O LORD, I will praise You. Although You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away, and You have comforted me.
Romans 8:19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.
Psalms 98:5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp.
Luke 18:7 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them?
Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken.
Ephesians 1:14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.