Bible Strands

Luke 21:9

When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples during a teaching on future events, immediately after warning them not to be deceived by false claimants asserting the end has arrived. He speaks to them as they inquire about the timing of these fulfillment events.

The words — The Greek πτοηθῆτε (ptoēthēte) literally means “may be terrified,” while ἀκούσητε (akousēte) means “you may hear of.” These verbs frame the command to resist panic when confronted with reports of conflict.

The thread — This warning appears in parallel accounts at Matthew 24:6 and Mark 13:7, while Luke 21:28 follows with the instruction to stand firm as redemption approaches. The same sequence of wars and commotions is treated as a necessary precursor in all three Gospels.

Why it lands — The text commands readers to reject alarm when hearing reports of wars and rebellions, noting that these events must occur before the end. It requires a posture of steady observation rather than panic, since the timing of the conclusion remains distinct from the occurrence of these signs.

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

ὅτανhotanWhenδὲdethenἀκούσητεakousēteyou may hear ofπολέμουςpolemouswarsκαὶkaiandἀκαταστασίας,akatastasiascommotions,μὴmēnotπτοηθῆτε·ptoēthētemay be terrified;δεῖdeiit behoovesγὰρgarforταῦταtautathese thingsγενέσθαιgenesthaito take placeπρῶτονprōtonfirstἀλλ᾽all᾽butοὐκouknotεὐθέωςeutheōsimmediately [is]τὸtotheτέλος.telosend.

King James Version

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Cross-references