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.
Parallel translations
- WEB For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
- NASB For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
- NLT For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
As lightning flashes across the sky, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. It teaches that Christ's return will be sudden, visible, and unmistakable to all.
Overview
In contrast to secret claims, Jesus' true coming will be like lightning seen everywhere at once, public and undeniable. No one will need to be told where he is. This assures believers that they cannot miss his return and need not chase after rumors, for the Son of Man will appear in unmistakable glory.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Luke 17:24–37For 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.
- Zech 9:14Then 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.
- Jas 5:8You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
- Isa 30:30And 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.
- Job 37:3He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole sky and sends it to the ends of the earth.
- Mal 3:2But 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.
- 2 Pet 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.”
- Mal 4:5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.
- Job 38:35Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
- Matt 24:39And they were oblivious, until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.
- Matt 16:28Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
- Matt 24:37As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.
- Matt 8:20Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
- Matt 24:3While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 24:27 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.