For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, when it flashes out of the one part under the sky, shines to the other part under the sky; so will the Son of Man be in his day.
- Zech 9:14Yahweh will be seen over them; and his arrow will go flash like lightning; and the Lord Yahweh will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
- Jas 5:8You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
- Isa 30:30Yahweh will cause his glorious voice to be heard, and will show the descent of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and the flame of a devouring fire, with a blast, storm, and hailstones.
- Job 37:3He sends it out under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
- Mal 3:2“But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap;
- 2 Pet 3:4and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that 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 great and terrible day of Yahweh comes.
- Job 38:35Can you send out lightnings, that they may go? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are?’
- Matt 24:39and they didn’t know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
- Matt 16:28Most 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.”
- Matt 24:37“As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
- Matt 8:20Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
- Matt 24:3As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
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.