What does Luke 17:30 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 17:30, "Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed," speaks of a future event in Christian eschatology known as the Second Coming or Parousia of Jesus Christ.

This verse implies that the return of the "Son of man" (a term Jesus often used to refer to Himself) will be a significant and manifest event, recognized by all. The use of the term "revealed" suggests a revelation or unveiling, indicating that things that were previously hidden will be made known.

This verse operates on a literal level, describing a future event, but also invites followers of Christ to consider the deeper significance of being prepared for this event and what it means for their lives, particularly in maintaining faith and acting righteously.

Historical Context

Luke 17:30 is set within a broader discussion where Jesus is teaching about the coming of the Kingdom of God.

The Gospels were written in a period when early Christians anticipated the imminent return of Christ.

These followers lived in a Roman-occupied Judea during the first century, a time of social unrest and messianic expectations.

Jesus' teachings and parables often addressed the need for vigilance and preparedness because the timing of the Kingdom's full realization was unknown, even to Him.

After Jesus' death and presumed resurrection, the anticipation of His return became a central pillar of Christian belief and hope.

Theological Insights

Different denominations and theologians interpret this verse with nuanced perspectives:

• Pre-millennialism: This view suggests that Jesus will physically return to earth before a literal thousand-year reign, and this verse is often cited as support for that imminent and visible return.
• Amillennialism: Adherents of this perspective interpret the "thousand years" figuratively and believe that Christ's reign is currently being fulfilled through the church, with the verse speaking to His final revelation at the end of the age.
• Post-millennialism: This view posits that Christ will return after a "golden age" of Christian dominance, seeing the verse as a culminating event following a period of righteousness on earth.
• Dispensationalism: Dispensationalists view biblical history as divided into eras or "dispensations." They typically believe in a rapture of the church before a tribulation period, with this verse referring to Christ's subsequent return.

Practical Applications

In daily life, Luke 17:30 can serve as a reminder that the future is uncertain and that one should live with constant awareness and readiness for the eventual return of Jesus Christ.

This entails living a life of moral integrity, exercising faith, engaging in good works, and maintaining hope.

It can also encourage believers to share their faith with others and stay spiritually vigilant.

Cross-References

• Matthew 24:27 - "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."
• 1 Thessalonians 5:2 - "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."
• Revelation 1:7 - "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.

Even so, Amen."

Language Study

The key phrase in the original Greek text is "ἀποκαλύπτεται ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου" (apokalyptetai ho huios tou anthropou), with "ἀποκαλύπτεται" (apokalyptetai) meaning "is revealed" or "is uncovered," derived from "ἀποκάλυψις" (apokalypsis), which means revelation.

The term "υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου" (huios tou anthropou) is a title Jesus used for Himself, which can be translated as "Son of man" and is rooted in the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament book of Daniel (e.g., Daniel 7:13-14).

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons with other ancient myths often involve themes of gods returning or heroic figures bringing about change or judgment.

In many religious traditions, a future day of judgment or renewal is a common motif, such as the concept of Ragnarok in Norse mythology or the return of a messianic figure like the Mahdi in Islamic eschatology.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings generally do not intersect directly with religious eschatology, as they are based on empirical evidence and testable hypotheses, whereas religious beliefs are based on faith.

However, contemporary scholarship in the fields of anthropology, psychology, and sociology study the impacts of such beliefs on human behavior and societies.

Commentaries

Various experts and Biblical commentators have provided interpretations of Luke 17:30:

• Matthew Henry Commentary: Suggests that this verse indicates a suddenness and universality in the revelation of Christ, and that it will be a time when the righteous are separated from the wicked.
• Benson Commentary: Remarks on the unexpectedness of Christ's coming and the normalcy of life's activities up until that point, likening it to the days of Noah and Lot.
• John Gill's Exposition of the Bible: Discusses the manifestation of Christ's glory at His return and emphasizes the global nature of this event.

Gill suggests the day of judgment will be public and remarkable, as stated in the verse.