Luke 21:8

21:8 He ¹  said, “Watch out ²  that you are not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ ³  and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them!

Luke 21:34

Be Ready!

21:34 “But be on your guard ⁴  so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap. ⁵ 

Luke 21:36

21:36 But stay alert at all times, ⁶  praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must ⁷  happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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¹ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

² tn Or “Be on guard.”

³ tn That is, “I am the Messiah.”

⁴ tn Grk “watch out for yourselves.”

sn Disciples are to watch out. If they are too absorbed into everyday life, they will stop watching and living faithfully.

⁵ sn Or like a thief, see Luke 12:39-40. The metaphor of a trap is a vivid one. Most modern English translations traditionally place the words “like a trap” at the end of v. 34, completing the metaphor. In the Greek text (and in the NRSV and REB) the words “like a trap” are placed at the beginning of v. 35. This does not affect the meaning.

⁶ sn The call to be alert at all times is a call to remain faithful in looking for the Lord’s return.

⁷ tn For the translation of μέλλω (mellw) as “must,” see L&N 71.36.