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.
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.
- BSB 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.
- 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 as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
- Zech 9:14And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
- Jas 5:8Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
- Isa 30:30And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.
- Job 37:3He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
- Mal 3:2But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
- 2 Pet 3:4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
- Mal 4:5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
- Job 38:35Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
- Matt 24:39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
- Matt 16:28Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
- Matt 24:37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
- Matt 8:20And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
- Matt 24:3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
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.