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Selected Verse: Matthew 24:27 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 24:27	King James	For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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 coming. See Luk 10:18; Zac 9:14. The coming of the Son of man - It has been doubted whether this refers to the destruction of Jerusalem, or to the coming at the day of judgment. For the solution of this doubt let it be remarked: 1. that those two events are the principal scenes in which our Lord said he would come, either in person or in judgment. 2. that the destruction of Jerusalem is described as his coming, his act. 3. that these events - the judgment of Jerusalem and the final judgment in many respects greatly resemble each other. 4. that they "will bear," therefore, to be described in the same language; and, 5. therefore, that the same words often include both events, as properly described by them. The words had, doubtless, a primary reference to the destruction of Jerusalem, but they had, at the same time, such an amplitude of meaning as also to express his coming to judgment. See the introduction to Isaiah, section 7, (3).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

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 coming. See Luk 10:18; Zac 9:14.

The coming of the Son of man - It has been doubted whether this refers to the destruction of Jerusalem, or to the coming at the day of judgment. For the solution of this doubt let it be remarked:

1. that those two events are the principal scenes in which our Lord said he would come, either in person or in judgment.

2. that the destruction of Jerusalem is described as his coming, his act.

3. that these events - the judgment of Jerusalem and the final judgment in many respects greatly resemble each other.

4. that they "will bear," therefore, to be described in the same language; and,

5. therefore, that the same words often include both events, as properly described by them.

The words had, doubtless, a primary reference to the destruction of Jerusalem, but they had, at the same time, such an amplitude of meaning as also to express his coming to judgment. See the introduction to Isaiah, section 7, (3).

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
Son of man Also (Mat 24:37); (Mat 24:39); (Mat 24:44). (See Scofield) - (Mat 8:20).

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]

Son of man

Also (Mat 24:37); (Mat 24:39); (Mat 24:44).

(See Scofield) - (Mat 8:20).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Shineth (φαίνεται) Rev., better, is seen. The coming of the Lord will be a plain, unmistakable fact, like the lightning which lightens both ends of the heaven at once, and is seen of all. It will not be connected with some particular place, but will manifest itself and be recognized over the whole world. Compare Rev 1:7 : "Every eye shall see him."

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Shineth (φαίνεται)

Rev., better, is seen. The coming of the Lord will be a plain, unmistakable fact, like the lightning which lightens both ends of the heaven at once, and is seen of all. It will not be connected with some particular place, but will manifest itself and be recognized over the whole world. Compare Rev 1:7 : "Every eye shall see him."

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
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.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

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.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west - It is worthy of remark that our Lord, in the most particular manner, points out the very march of the Roman army: they entered into Judea on the East, and carried on their conquest Westward, as if not only the extensiveness of the ruin, but the very route which the army would take, were intended in the comparison of the lightning issuing from the east, and shining to the west.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west - It is worthy of remark that our Lord, in the most particular manner, points out the very march of the Roman army: they entered into Judea on the East, and carried on their conquest Westward, as if not only the extensiveness of the ruin, but the very route which the army would take, were intended in the comparison of the lightning issuing from the east, and shining to the west.

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