Matthew 24:27

For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples regarding false claims of His localized presence, clarifying the nature of His future return.

The words — ὥσπερ (hōsper) translates to "just as," and ἀστραπὴ (astrapē) means "lightning," establishing a direct comparison.

The thread — This imagery parallels Luke 17:24, which compares His day to lightning lighting the sky, and echoes Zechariah 9:14 and Job 37:3 where divine manifestations are described with lightning.

Why it lands — It requires readers to abandon searches for hidden or confined locations of His return and instead expect a sudden, universally visible event.

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

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Cross-references

Luke 17:24 For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day.
Zechariah 9:14 Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will sound the ram’s horn and advance in the whirlwinds of the south.
Job 37:3 He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole sky and sends it to the ends of the earth.
Isaiah 30:30 And the LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and His mighty arm to be revealed, striking in angry wrath with a flame of consuming fire, and with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones.
Malachi 3:2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap.
James 5:8 You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.
2 Peter 3:4 “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”
Job 38:35 Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
Matthew 16:28 Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”