What Does Luke 21:31 Mean in the King James?
So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The signs do not only mark upheaval; they make God’s governance legible as near.
THE MEANING
When the things you see come to pass, their unfolding can be recognized as a sign that God’s governance is near. This nearness is already pressing toward visibility, not a distant promise detached from what you see. The verse calls the reader to recognize that approach.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that distress means God’s governance is absent or far away; here, what unfolds can signal its nearness.
THE ROOT
ἤγγικεν
ēngiken
GROWS FROM
ἐγγίζω
engizō
To draw near, approach.
“nigh at hand” in this verse is ēngiken. The Greek verb is in a form that presents the approach as having happened, with nearness as its present result. The verse describes more than a distant arrival: God’s governance has drawn near.
ALSO GROWS
engys: Near, close at hand.
ἐγγύς
This related word makes the closeness concrete: the verse speaks of proximity, not an abstract future.
engizō: To draw near, approach.
ἐγγίζω
The same verb describes redemption drawing near in Luke 21:28, linking the kingdom’s approach with deliverance.
βασιλεία
basileia
GROWS FROM
βασιλευ- (basileu-, the βασιλεία word family)
Kingship, royal rule, governance.
“kingdom” in this verse is basileia. The Greek word names the rule or reign of a king, as well as the realm under that rule. Here what comes near is God’s governance: an ordering that is approaching the world the reader sees.
ALSO GROWS
basileus: King, sovereign.
βασιλεύς
This related noun names the ruler behind the kingdom: the verse points to God’s rule, not merely a place.
basileuō: To reign, rule as king.
βασιλεύω
This verb makes the active force of the word family clear: the kingdom is governance in action.
γινώσκετε
ginōskete
GROWS FROM
γινώσκω
ginōskō
To know, recognize, perceive.
“know” in this verse is ginōskete. The command is to recognize what the unfolding events disclose. The seeing in the verse becomes knowing: the signs are read as evidence of God’s governance drawing near.
ALSO GROWS
gnōsis: Knowledge, knowing.
γνῶσις
This related noun shows the knowing that follows from what is perceived.
epiginōskō: To recognize, know fully.
ἐπιγινώσκω
This related verb sharpens the sense of recognition: what is seen becomes intelligible as a sign.
THE PATTERN
God’s governance becomes legible in events as it moves from nearness toward visible rule.
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.THE THREAD
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.Luke uses the same verb, ἐγγίζω (engizō, to draw near), for the kingdom’s nearness and for redemption drawing near. The signs therefore mark both God’s governance approaching and deliverance coming within reach.
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