Luke 21:36

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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(36) Pray always.—The word is not the same commonly used for “pray,” but occurs once only in the other Gospels (Matthew 9:38). St. Luke uses it fifteen times in the Gospel and Acts together, and St. Paul six times (2Corinthians 5:20; 2Corinthians 8:4; 2Corinthians 10:2, et seq.). It is not used by any other New Testament writer.

That ye may be accounted worthy . . .—See Note on Luke 20:35. The better MSS., however, give, “that ye may have strength to escape.”

To stand before the Son of man.—The same preposition is used with special reference to the final judgment in 2Corinthians 5:10, 1Thessalonians 3:13.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

21:29-38 Christ tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times, which they might judge by. He charges them to look upon the ruin of the Jewish nation as near. Yet this race and family of Abraham shall not be rooted out; it shall survive as a nation, and be found as prophesied, when the Son of man shall be revealed. He cautions them against being secure and sensual. This command is given to all Christ's disciples, Take heed to yourselves, that ye be not overpowered by temptations, nor betrayed by your own corruptions. We cannot be safe, if we are carnally secure. Our danger is, lest the day of death and of judgment should come upon us when we are not prepared. Lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be the furthest from our thoughts, which ought to be nearest our hearts. For so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven. It will be a terror and a destruction to them. Here see what should be our aim, that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things; that when the judgements of God are abroad, we may not be in the common calamity, or it may not be that to us which it is to others. Do you ask how you may be found worthy to stand before Christ at that day? Those who never yet sought Christ, let them now go unto him; those who never yet were humbled for their sins, let them now begin; those who have already begun, let them go forward and be kept humbled. Watch therefore, and pray always. Watch against sin; watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world, who live a life of prayer in this world. May we begin, employ, and conclude each day attending to Christ's word, obeying his precepts, and following his example, that whenever he comes we may be found watching.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

To stand before the Son of man - These approaching calamities are represented as the "coming of the Son of man" to judge Jerusalem for its crimes. Its inhabitants were so wicked that they were not worthy to stand before him and would be condemned, and the city would be overthrown. To "stand before him" here denotes approbation, acquittal, favor, and is equivalent to saying that "they" would be free from these calamities, while they should come upon others. See Romans 14:4; Psalm 1:5; Psalm 130:3; Revelation 6:17. Perhaps, also, there is a reference here to the day of judgment. See the notes at Matthew 24.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

36. Watch … pray, &c.—the two great duties which in prospect of trial are constantly enjoined. These warnings, suggested by the need of preparedness for the tremendous calamities approaching, and the total wreck of the existing state of things, are the general improvement of the whole discourse, carrying the mind forward to Judgment and Vengeance of another kind and on a grander and more awful scale—not ecclesiastical or political but personal, not temporal but eternal—when all safety and blessedness will be found to lie in being able to "STAND BEFORE THE Son of Man" in the glory of His personal appearing.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Luke 21:34"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Watch ye therefore, and pray always,.... Watch against every sin, snare, and temptation; particularly, against the above things, surfeiting, drunkenness, and worldly cares; pray continually, for fresh supplies of grace:

that ye may be counted worthy; not for watchfulness and prayer, but through the grace and goodness of God:

to escape all these things that shall come to pass; the dreadful miseries and distress, that shall come upon the Jews:

and to stand before the Son of man; with intrepidity, confidence, and pleasure; and meet him at his coming in this way, with joy and comfort; and likewise at death, and at judgment; see 1 John 2:28.

Geneva Study Bible

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

(i) You will appear before him in a condition such that you will abide the presence and sentence of the Judge without fear.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 21:36. ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ, in every season.—κατισχύσητε, that ye may have power, “prevail” (R.V[180]).—καταξιωθῆτε (T.R.), “may be accounted worthy” (A.V[181]), also gives a very good meaning, even in some respects preferable.—σταθῆναι, to stand—in the judgment (so, many), or to be presented to, placed before. So most recent commentators. Either gives a good sense (Bleek).

[180] Revised Version.

[181] Authorised Version.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

36. pray always] Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18. Render, watch ye at all times, making supplication.

accounted worthy] See on Luke 20:35. Another reading is “ye may prevail” (katischusete).

to stand before the Son of man] “The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,” Psalm 1:5. “Who shall stand when He appeareth,” Malachi 3:2.

the Son of man] See on Luke 5:24, Luke 9:58. On this day our Lord also uttered the Parables of the Ten Virgins and of the Talents, and other warnings, Matthew 25. On this occasion too (as Van Oosterzee conjectures) our Lord may have used His agraphon dogma “in that wherein I shall find you, in that will I judge you,” Just. Mart. Dial.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 21:36. Ἀγρυπνεῖτε, watch) Mark 13:33.—ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ δεόμενοι [praying always], praying at every season) ch. Luke 18:1. At every season or time, whether these things [Luke 21:28; Luke 21:31], which are about to be immediately, are had regard to [viz. ταῦτα πάντα (Luke 21:31-32), these nearer events, which are about to befall the city.—Not. Crit.], or that (more remote) day, the day of the Son of Man: Luke 21:28; Luke 21:34. This brief sentence comprises the whole discourse concerning the city and the universal world.—ἐκφυγεῖν, to escape) suddenly.—σταθῆναι) As to the force of this word, see on Matthew 12:25. [“Σταθῆναι, to be made to stand by another, to stand by the help of another; στῆναι, by one’s own strength.”—Ammonius.]

Luke 21:36

Vincent's Word Studies

Watch

See on Mark 13:33.