Luke 12:54

Reading the Signs

12:54 Jesus 1  also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, 2  you say at once, ‘A rainstorm 3  is coming,’ and it does.

Luke 2:34

2:34 Then 4  Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully: 5  This child 6  is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising 7  of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. 8 

1 tn Grk “He”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here καί (kai) has been translated as “also” and δέ (de) has not been translated.

2 sn A cloud rising in the west refers to moisture coming from the Mediterranean Sea.

3 tn The term ὄμβρος (ombro") refers to heavy rain, such as in a thunderstorm (L&N 14.12).

4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

5 tn Grk “behold.”

6 tn Grk “this one”; the referent (the child) is supplied in the translation for clarity.

7 sn The phrase the falling and rising of many emphasizes that Jesus will bring division in the nation, as some will be judged (falling) and others blessed (rising) because of how they respond to him. The language is like Isa 8:14-15 and conceptually like Isa 28:13-16. Here is the first hint that Jesus’ coming will be accompanied with some difficulties.

8 tn Grk “and for a sign of contradiction.”