Luke 21:27 · Bible study
Luke 21:27 Commentary: Son of Man Coming in a Cloud
Greek · 5 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore Luke 21:27: does it refer to Jerusalem's fall or Christ's final return? Scholarly insights and pastoral hope.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus declares that after Jerusalem's fall, the Son of Man will appear in divine glory, fulfilling Daniel's vision and offering redemption to his people.
- Key words: “Son of Man” (υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου), Jesus' self-designation from Daniel 7:13; “coming” (ἐρχόμενον), present participle, a continuous action; “cloud” (νεφέλη), theophanic imagery; “power” (δύναμις) and “glory” (δόξα), divine attributes.
- Main debate: Does this verse refer primarily to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (preterist view) or to Christ's final second coming (futurist view), or to both in a typological sense?
- Theological theme: God's sovereignty in history; judgment and redemption; the identity of Jesus as the glorious Son of Man; the hope of resurrection and restoration.
- Best use: For preaching on hope in times of crisis, for teaching apocalyptic literature, and for small groups exploring how prophecy speaks to both the past and the future.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
KJV King James Version 1769
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
`And then they shall see the Son of Man, coming in a cloud, with power and much glory;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with great power and majesty.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y entonces verán al Hijo del hombre, que vendrá en una nube con potestad y majestad grande.
E então verão o Filho do homem vir em uma nuvem com grande poder e glória.
Alors on verra le Fils de l’ homme venant sur une nuée avec puissance et une grande gloire.
Und alsdann werden sie sehen des Menschen Sohn kommen in der Wolke mit großer Kraft und Herrlichkeit.
En alsdan zullen zij den Zoon des mensen zien komen in een wolk, met grote kracht en heerlijkheid.
E allora vedranno il Figliuol dell’uomo venir sopra le nuvole con potenza e gran gloria.
A tedy ujrzą Syna człowieczego, przychodzącego w obłoku z mocą i chwałą wielką.
и тогда увидят Сына Человеческого, грядущего на облаке с силою и славою великою.
那時，他們要看見 人 子 有 能力， 有大 榮耀 駕 雲 降臨。
And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Luke 21:27
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this verse draws on Daniel 7:13 and describes a visible, glorious appearing of the Son of Man. The immediate context (Luke 21:20, 24) describes Jerusalem's destruction in AD 70, and the Cambridge Bible notes that the language of “coming in a cloud” is used “metaphorically in great world crises” and “actually at the Last Coming.” Matthew Henry calls the destruction of Jerusalem a “little day of judgment, a type and figure of Christ's second coming.” Gill's Exposition refers readers to his comments on Matthew 24:30, where he interprets the event as both the judgment on Jerusalem and the final judgment. The consensus is that the verse has a dual reference: a proximate fulfillment in the fall of Jerusalem and a final fulfillment at the end of history. Both events are described with the same apocalyptic imagery, linking God's judgment in history to Christ's ultimate coming in glory.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Preterist (AD 70 fulfillment): Points to immediate context (Luke 21:20-24) describing Jerusalem's destruction; sees 'this generation' in v.32 as first-century; cites Matthew 24:34 and historical fact of AD 70.
- Futurist (final second coming): Emphasizes 'power and great glory' and cosmic signs (vv.25-26) that exceed AD 70; links to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 2 Peter 3:10-12; argues 'times of the Gentiles' (v.24) extends until the end.
- Typological / both-and: Holds that AD 70 is a foreshadowing of the final judgment; sees the language as deliberately multivalent; supported by Daniel 7:13 and the pattern of prophetic fulfillment in Scripture.
What is clear: Jesus is referring to a real, visible coming of the Son of Man in power and glory, and his followers are to respond with hope and confidence in their redemption.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Reference to AD 70 vs. final coming | Jesus' prophecy refers to a real future event that involves judgment and the vindication of his people. | Some Christians (preterists) see the primary fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Others (futurists) see it as strictly the final second coming at the end of history. Many hold a typological view that AD 70 is a foreshadowing of the final coming. |
| Meaning of 'coming in a cloud' | The phrase alludes to Daniel 7:13 and signifies divine authority and theophany. | Some interpret the cloud as literal (a visible.cloud vehicle at the parousia), while others see it as metaphorical for divine glory or judgment (e.g., the cloud that filled the temple). |
| Signs and timing | The signs in verses 25-26 precede this coming, and the coming itself is sudden and unmistakable. | Some argue that all the signs were fulfilled in the first century (preterist), while others believe many signs are still future (futurist). The length of the 'times of the Gentiles' is also debated. |
| Nature of the event | It is a visible, glorious appearance of Christ, not a spiritual or hidden event. | Christians differ on whether this event is a single moment in history or a process that includes both judgment on Jerusalem and the final consummation. |
| Response of believers | Believers are to respond with hope, looking up because their redemption is near. | Some emphasize that this hope should lead to watchfulness and preparation for judgment, while others emphasize confident trust in deliverance from present sufferings. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Luke 21:27 sits within Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Luke 21:5, 36), a teaching prompted by the disciples' question about the temple's destruction. Jesus first describes signs leading up to the fall of Jerusalem: wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecutions (vv.8, 19). Then he speaks directly of Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, its destruction, and the “times of the Gentiles” (vv.20, 24). Verse 27 follows immediately after this, declaring that “then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
The phrase “coming in a cloud” echoes the theophanic cloud of the Old Testament (Exodus 19:9; 1 Kings 8:10, 11) and especially Daniel 7:13, 14, where “one like a son of man” comes with the clouds to receive an everlasting dominion. Jesus applies this title to himself throughout the Gospels, and at his trial he quotes Daniel directly (Matthew 26:64). In Acts 1:9, a cloud receives him at his ascension, and angels promise he will return in the same way.
Historically, the Jewish war with Rome culminated in AD 70 when Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Many early Christians saw this event as a divine judgment and a partial fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. The language of “power and great glory” also anticipates the final judgment, when Christ will come as King and Judge. The discourse thus serves as both a warning for the first-century audience and a timeless promise for the church.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Luke 21:27. The verse is consistent across major Greek manuscripts and ancient translations. The reading “with power and great glory” (μετὰ δυνάμεως καὶ δόξης πολλῆς) is well-attested.
Reception History
Throughout church history, Luke 21:27 has been read in light of both the destruction of Jerusalem and the final coming of Christ. Early church fathers like Origen and Eusebius saw the Roman siege of AD 70 as a judgment on Israel and a partial fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy, while still expecting a future parousia. The Geneva Bible (1599) simply notes the verse without comment, reflecting a straightforward reading. Matthew Henry (1710) explicitly treats the destruction of Jerusalem as a “type and figure” of the final judgment. Nineteenth-century commentators like the Cambridge Bible continue this dual reference, noting that the same language applies to “great world crises” and the “Last Coming.” In modern times, the rise of full preterism (all prophecy fulfilled in AD 70) has sharpened the debate, but most traditions still hold to some future element, whether a final coming or a continuous coming in judgment through history.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The certainty of Christ's coming. Jesus does not say “if” but “then they will see.” The future tense (ὄψονται) assures that this event is fixed.
- The manner of his coming. He comes in a cloud, with power and great glory, language of divine theophany and royal majesty.
- The response of believers. In verse 28, Jesus calls his followers to “look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.” The coming is not a threat to the faithful but a promise of deliverance.
Five-point outline
- The historical context. Jesus speaks within a prophecy of Jerusalem's fall (vv.20, 24); many early Christians saw AD 70 as a partial fulfillment.
- The typological pattern. The destruction of Jerusalem functions as a type of the final judgment, a smaller-scale preview.
- The cosmic scope. The “power and great glory” indicate that this coming involves all creation, not just one city.
- The identity of the Son of Man. Jesus claims the Danielic title, affirming his divine authority and role as Judge.
- The hope for believers. For those who trust in Christ, his coming brings redemption, not terror.
Illustration hooks
- A patient in a hospital hears the doctor's footsteps in the hall, anxious or hopeful, depending on the relationship. Jesus' coming is good news for his friends.
- Watching a storm approach from a safe shelter. The clouds look threatening, but they also carry needed rain. Christ's coming brings both judgment and renewal.
- Waiting for a delayed flight: the announcement of an arrival changes everything. The waiting has purpose and an end.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Is this about the end of the world or something that already happened in AD 70?”
- “How should I live if I don't know when Christ will return?”
- “What does 'redemption' really mean in this context, rescue from what?”
Leading a Discussion
In Luke 21:27, Jesus gives his followers a lens to see both the immediate future and the ultimate hope. The destruction of Jerusalem was a real and terrible event, yet it pointed beyond itself to Christ's final coming. This passage invites us to ask how we read prophecy, how we live in the present, and what we really hope for.
Discussion questions
- Read Luke 21:20, 28. What connections do you see between the description of Jerusalem's fall (vv.20, 24) and the coming of the Son of Man (v.27)?
- Why do you think Jesus uses the phrase “Son of Man” here? How does Daniel 7:13 help you understand this title?
- Commentators like Matthew Henry see the fall of Jerusalem as a “type” of the final judgment. What does this teach us about how God works in history?
- Verse 28 says, “look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.” How does the promise of Christ's coming change the way you face difficult times?
- The word “redemption” (ἀπολύτρωσις) implies being set free. What are some things you long to be freed from? How does this passage speak to that longing?
- How do you balance the warning aspects of this passage (judgment) with the promise (redemption)? Which do you tend to emphasize?
- If Jesus' prophecy of Jerusalem's fall came true in AD 70, what confidence does that give you for the promise of his final coming?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Daniel 7:13 | “I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him. |
| Matthew 16:27 | For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will give to everyone according to his deeds. |
| Matthew 16:28 | Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” |
| Matthew 24:30 | and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. |
| Matthew 25:31 | “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. |
| Matthew 26:64 | Jesus said to him, “You have said so. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.” |
| Mark 13:26 | Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. |
| Acts 1:9 | When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
5 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible distinguishes two meanings for the Son of Man coming in a cloud: a metaphorical reference to divine judgment in great world crises, and
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes treat this as a plain prophecy of Christ's visible return. The cloud is not a symbol but the literal vehicle of his appearing, and "power and great glory" underscores the unmistakable majesty of that moment. All will see the Son of Man come with divine authority.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill offers no new comment here, instead directing readers to his fuller treatment on the parallel passage. His distinctive point is that the meaning of the same phrase about seeing the Son of Man is already explained there.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that Jesus speaks of both Jerusalem's destruction and the world's end as intertwined events, not separate ones. The fall of the temple serves as a prophetic type of the final judgment, with its signs repeating in escalating measure until the last day.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry treats the destruction of Jerusalem as a small-scale preview of the final judgment—a type and figure of Christ's second coming. For those whose hearts were bound up in the city, its fall would feel as devastating as the end of the world itself.