Luke 17:22 – “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.'”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus shifts His focus from the Pharisees to His disciples. He warns them that a time is coming when they will long for His return but will not see it. This statement points to a future period of longing and anticipation, a time when His followers will face trials and difficulties as they wait for the fulfillment of God’s kingdom.
Jesus is preparing His disciples for the reality that His departure will not be easy. They will miss His presence and desire the day when He returns to bring about the full realization of the kingdom of God. However, this waiting period will require faith and perseverance. His statement is a reminder that while the kingdom is already present in a spiritual sense, its complete fulfillment will only come when He returns in power and glory.
Historical Context
During Jesus’ ministry, many Jews believed that the arrival of the Messiah would bring immediate and visible changes, including the overthrow of their enemies and the establishment of a powerful earthly kingdom. Even the disciples, at times, shared these expectations (Acts 1:6). However, Jesus consistently taught that the kingdom of God would unfold differently than they expected.
By telling His disciples that they would long for “one of the days of the Son of Man,” Jesus is addressing their future longing for His presence and His final victory. The term “Son of Man” is a Messianic title that comes from Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of Man is depicted as a figure who will establish God’s everlasting kingdom. The disciples would come to understand that Jesus’ mission involved both His first coming (to save) and His second coming (to judge and fully establish His kingdom).
After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the disciples lived in this in-between period, longing for the day of His return. Believers throughout history have shared this longing, waiting in hope for the time when Jesus will return to set everything right.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the tension between the “already” and “not yet” aspects of the kingdom of God. Through Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection, the kingdom of God was inaugurated, but it will not be fully realized until His return. During this waiting period, believers are called to live faithfully, trusting that God’s promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.
The longing for “one of the days of the Son of Man” reflects the Christian hope in Jesus’ return. This hope is central to the faith because it reminds believers that their present struggles and suffering are temporary. The promise of Jesus’ return offers encouragement and strength to endure hardships, knowing that God’s ultimate plan is unfolding.
This verse also teaches that the Christian life involves seasons of waiting and longing. Just as the disciples would experience challenges and longing after Jesus’ ascension, believers today face similar struggles as they wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises. Faith means trusting God even when we don’t see immediate results.
Literary Analysis
Luke’s Gospel often uses dialogue and prophetic warnings to prepare readers for the future challenges of discipleship. In this verse, Jesus’ words are both a warning and a comfort. The phrase “long to see one of the days of the Son of Man” carries an emotional weight, emphasizing the disciples’ deep desire for Jesus’ return. The use of the future tense (“you will long”) shows that this is a guaranteed part of the Christian experience.
The phrase “the days of the Son of Man” refers to both Jesus’ presence during His earthly ministry and His future return. By framing the discussion this way, Luke highlights the dual nature of Jesus’ mission—He came to bring salvation but will return to bring final judgment and restoration.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Daniel 7:13-14 – “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.”
- Matthew 24:30 – “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.”
- John 14:3 – “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
- 2 Peter 3:8-9 – “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
- Revelation 22:20 – “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For modern believers, this verse speaks to the reality of waiting and longing for Jesus’ return. Christians live in a world where suffering, injustice, and trials are part of daily life. Like the disciples, we long for the day when Jesus will return and bring perfect peace and justice. This longing is not a sign of despair but of hope, rooted in the certainty that God will fulfill His promises.
This verse also encourages believers to remain faithful during periods of waiting. Just as the disciples were called to stay faithful after Jesus’ ascension, Christians today are called to persevere, even when the world seems dark or when God’s promises feel distant. The promise of Jesus’ return gives us a long-term perspective, reminding us that our present struggles are temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits (Romans 8:18).
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is demonstrated in the promise of Jesus’ return. He didn’t leave His disciples without hope—He assured them that He would come back to complete His work. The fact that believers long for His return reflects the relationship they have with a loving God who desires to be with His people. God’s love is not distant or impersonal; it’s the kind of love that leads us to long for His presence.
This verse also shows that God understands our human longing. Jesus didn’t rebuke the disciples for their future desire to see Him again. Instead, He acknowledged it as part of their journey. God’s love meets us in our waiting and sustains us as we look forward to the day when He will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4).
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the center of this verse and the fulfillment of the promise it contains. As the “Son of Man,” He is the one who will return to establish God’s eternal kingdom. His first coming was about bringing salvation through His death and resurrection, but His second coming will bring final judgment and restoration.
This verse connects to Jesus’ role as both Savior and King. Through His death and resurrection, He has already secured victory over sin and death. His return will complete the work He started, bringing perfect peace and justice. The fact that believers long for His return shows that they recognize Him as the source of their ultimate hope and redemption.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does it mean to you to “long for the days of the Son of Man”? How do you experience that longing in your daily life?
- How can the promise of Jesus’ return give you hope during difficult or uncertain times?
- In what ways does this verse encourage you to live faithfully while waiting for Jesus’ return?
- How do you balance the tension between living in the present and longing for the future fulfillment of God’s kingdom?
- What practical steps can you take to stay focused on Jesus’ promise, even when His return seems distant?
This verse reminds believers that waiting is a part of the Christian journey, but it is not a hopeless waiting. It is filled with the expectation of Jesus’ return, when He will restore all things and fulfill God’s promises. Until that day, we are called to live faithfully, trusting in the God who always keeps His word.