King James Version

What Does Luke 17:24 Mean?

Luke 17:24 in the King James Version says “For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so sha...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For 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.”

Luke 17:24 · KJV

Context

22

And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

23

And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.

24

For 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.

25

But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

26

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For 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. Jesus provides the reason His return won't require announcement: it will be self-evident. As the lightning (ὥσπερ ἡ ἀστραπὴ, hōsper hē astrapē) introduces the simile. Lightning that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven (ἀστράπτουσα ἐκ τῆς ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰς τὴν ὑπ' οὐρανὸν λάμπει, astraptousa ek tēs hypo ton ouranon eis tēn hyp' ouranon lampei) describes lightning's visible reach—from horizon to horizon in an instant.

Lightning possesses three qualities relevant to Christ's return: (1) Sudden—no advance warning, it strikes unexpectedly; (2) Visible—everyone sees it simultaneously, regardless of location; (3) Unmistakable—no one debates whether lightning occurred. So shall also the Son of man be in his day (οὕτως ἔσται ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ αὐτοῦ, houtōs estai ho huios tou anthrōpou en tē hēmera autou)—Christ's return will share these characteristics. No secret rapture, no gradual manifestation, no ambiguity. Revelation 1:7 confirms: 'Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.'

The phrase in his day (ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ αὐτοῦ, en tē hēmera autou) designates the appointed time of revelation and judgment. Just as 'the day of the Lord' in Old Testament prophecy described God's intervention in history (Joel 2:1-11, Amos 5:18-20), 'the day of the Son of man' marks Christ's return in glory. This day brings vindication for the righteous and judgment for the wicked—separation, not secret removal.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Lightning was universally recognized as dramatic divine manifestation. In Old Testament theophanies, lightning accompanied God's presence (Exodus 19:16, Psalm 97:4, Ezekiel 1:13-14). Jesus appropriates this imagery for His parousia (Matthew 24:27). The comparison assured first-century disciples—confused by delay and false messiahs—that they wouldn't miss Christ's return. No insider knowledge needed; the event would be cosmically obvious.

Early church fathers understood this literally. They rejected secret rapture theories and taught visible, glorious return: Irenaeus, Tertullian, Chrysostom all affirmed bodily, public parousia. Modern dispensational theology's secret rapture doctrine (popularized in 19th-20th centuries) contradicts Jesus' lightning metaphor. The return will be sudden and visible to all, separating believers from unbelievers in global judgment (Matthew 24:40-41), not secret removal before tribulation. Jesus' warning stands: when He returns, everyone will know simultaneously—like lightning illuminating the entire sky.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the lightning metaphor challenge secret rapture theology and reinforce the public, visible nature of Christ's return?
  2. What comfort does the promise of Christ's unmistakable return provide amid confusion and competing end-times scenarios?
  3. How should the certainty of sudden, visible return affect daily Christian living and readiness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ὥσπερ1 of 26

“as”

G5618

just as, i.e., exactly like

γὰρ2 of 26

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἡ3 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀστραπὴ4 of 26

“the lightning”

G796

lightning; by analogy, glare

ἡ5 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀστράπτουσα6 of 26

“that lighteneth”

G797

to flash as lightning

ἐκ7 of 26

“out of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς8 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπ'9 of 26

“the one part under”

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

οὐρανὸν10 of 26

“heaven”

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

εἰς11 of 26

“unto”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν12 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπ'13 of 26

“the one part under”

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

οὐρανὸν14 of 26

“heaven”

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

λάμπει15 of 26

“shineth”

G2989

to beam, i.e., radiate brilliancy (literally or figuratively)

οὕτως16 of 26

“so”

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

ἔσται17 of 26

“be”

G2071

will be

καὶ18 of 26

“shall also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὁ19 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς20 of 26

“the Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ21 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου22 of 26

“of man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐν23 of 26

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ24 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέρᾳ25 of 26

“day”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

αὐτοῦ26 of 26
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 17:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 17:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 24:27Matthew 24:30Malachi 4:1-2Zechariah 9:142 Peter 3:10Malachi 3:1-2

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