King James Version

What Does Luke 21:36 Mean?

Luke 21:36 in the King James Version says “Watch ye therefore, and pray always , that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always , that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Luke 21:36 · KJV

Prayer

Context

34

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always , that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

37

And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

38

And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

Read Luke 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Watch ye therefore, and pray always (ἀγρυπνεῖτε δὲ ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ δεόμενοι, agrypneite de en panti kairō deomenoi)—Agrypneō (to watch, be vigilant, stay awake) in present imperative commands continuous alertness. En panti kairō deomenoi (praying in every season/opportunity) uses present participle deomenoi (from deomai, to ask, petition, beseech) for habitual prayer. Vigilance and prayer form dual strategy against spiritual drowsiness.

That ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass (ἵνα κατισχύσητε ἐκφυγεῖν ταῦτα πάντα τὰ μέλλοντα γίνεσθαι, hina katischysēte ekphygein tauta panta ta mellonta ginesthai)—hina katischysēte (that you may prevail, be strong enough) expresses purpose. Ekphygein (to escape, flee out from) suggests not immunity from tribulation's presence but deliverance from its ultimate destruction. The phrase 'all these things about to happen' (tauta panta ta mellonta ginesthai) references both near events (Jerusalem's fall) and distant ones (final tribulation).

And to stand before the Son of man (καὶ σταθῆναι ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, kai stathēnai emprosthen tou huiou tou anthrōpou)—stathēnai (to stand) in aorist passive infinitive conveys eschatological standing at judgment/vindication. Standing 'before the Son of Man' echoes Daniel 7:13-14's vision of Messiah receiving kingdom. For believers, standing before Christ isn't terror but reward (Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Early church practiced vigilant prayer in expectation of Christ's return (Acts 1:14, 2:42, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17). The exhortation to 'escape' doesn't promise tribulation-free existence but persevering faith that endures to the end (Matthew 24:13). Church fathers like Tertullian and Cyprian encouraged watchfulness amid persecution.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do watching and praying work together to maintain spiritual readiness for Christ's return?
  2. What does being 'accounted worthy' teach about grace-enabled perseverance rather than earning salvation?
  3. How should the prospect of 'standing before the Son of Man' motivate both holy living and confident hope?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
ἀγρυπνεῖτε1 of 21

“Watch ye”

G69

to be sleepless, i.e., keep awake

οὖν2 of 21

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ἐν3 of 21

“always”

G1722

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

πάντα4 of 21

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

καιρῷ5 of 21
G2540

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

δεόμενοι6 of 21

“and pray”

G1189

to beg (as binding oneself), i.e., petition

ἵνα7 of 21

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

καταξιωθῆτε8 of 21

“ye may be accounted worthy”

G2661

to deem entirely deserving

ἐκφυγεῖν9 of 21

“to escape”

G1628

to flee out

ταῦτα10 of 21

“these things”

G5023

these things

πάντα11 of 21

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰ12 of 21
G3588

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

μέλλοντα13 of 21

“that shall”

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

γίνεσθαι14 of 21

“come to pass”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

καὶ15 of 21

“and”

G2532

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

σταθῆναι16 of 21

“to stand”

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

ἔμπροσθεν17 of 21

“before”

G1715

in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)

τοῦ18 of 21
G3588

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

υἱοῦ19 of 21

“the Son”

G5207

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

τοῦ20 of 21
G3588

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

ἀνθρώπου21 of 21

“of man”

G444

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

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 21:36 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 21:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 2:28Matthew 25:131 Peter 5:8Matthew 24:421 Peter 4:71 Corinthians 16:13

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