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Matthew 24:27

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 24:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.
Matthew 24:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
25Behold, I have told you beforehand.
26If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe [it] not.
27For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.
28Wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
29But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
← Matthew 24:26Matthew 24:28 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, etc.] The eastern part of the horizon, and shineth even unto the west; to the western part of it, with great clearness; in a moment; in the twinkling of an eye, filling the whole intermediate space; so shall also the coming of the son of man be; which must be understood not of his last coming to judgment, though that will be sudden, visible, and universal; he will at once come to, and be seen by all, in the clouds of heaven, and not in deserts and secret chambers: nor of his spiritual coming in the more sudden, and clear, and powerful preaching of the Gospel all over the Gentile world; for this was to be done before the destruction of Jerusalem:…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For as the lightning cometh out of the east ... - This is not designed to denote the quarter from which he would come, but the manner. He does not mean to affirm that the “Son of man” will come from the “east,” but that he will come in a rapid and unexpected manner, like the lightning. Many would be looking for him in the desert, many in secret places; but he said it would be useless to be looking in that manner; it was useless to look to any particular part of the heavens to know where the lightning would next flash. In a moment it would blaze in an unexpected part of the heavens, and shine at once to the other part. So rapidly, so unexpectedly, in so unlooked-for a quarter, would be his…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For as the lightning goeth forth - For the next coming of Christ will he as quick as lightning; so that there will not be time for any such previous warning. Matthew 24:28”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“24:27-28 Lightning may be an allusion to the astrological phenomena attending the Messiah’s coming (see 24:29-31; 1 Thes 4:13-18). It is not the suddenness of lightning that is in view but rather the magnitude of its visibility. Very possibly, Jesus gave these sayings to ward off premature excitement regarding the end (1 Thes 4:13–5:10; 2 Thes 2:1-12).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“as: Job 37:3, Job 38:35; Isa 30:30; Zac 9:14; Luk 17:24-37 the coming: Mat 16:28; Mal 3:2, Mal 4:5; Jam 5:8; Pe2 3:4 Matthew 24:28”
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Related study paths

Read Matthew 24 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification