lectionary.com

Advent Season · Year C

First Sunday of Advent

4th Sunday before Christmas · November 28, 2027

The Opening of the Sixth Seal, Francis Danby
The Opening of the Sixth Seal, Francis Danby, c. 1825Victoria Art Gallery, Bath
An Irish-born painter's apocalypse: the sky rolled back, a mountain splitting, and figures scattering down the foreground in red light.There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations: these readings describe it, and Danby painted it at scale.Francis DanbyAn Irish painter who made his name in Bristol with apocalyptic subjects, then fled abroad from scandal and debt.Victoria Art Gallery, BathA small civic gallery in Bath, opened in 1900 to mark Victoria's jubilee and free to enter.Victoria Art Gallery, Bath
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 21:25-36Lk 21:25-36
Epistle1 Thess. 3:9-131 Thes 3:9-13
Old TestamentJer. 33:14-16Jer 33:14-16
PsalterPs. 25:1-10Ps 25:1-10

Overview & Insights

“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27)

Since Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem it has become clear that his messianic authority is in irreconcilable conflict with the existing power structure in Jerusalem. His prediction of the destruction of the temple (21:5–6) now leads to an extended explanation (addressed to his disciples) that looks beyond his own imminent death and resurrection to a time when that conflict will be resolved. The power of the present Jerusalem establishment will be destroyed, and the risen Jesus will enter into his destined authority as the Son of Man. The reader’s awareness of this ultimate prospect will provide a vital counterpoint to the apparent “defeat” of Jesus in Jerusalem that will be narrated in chapters 22–23.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Luke 21:25-36

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 21:25-36Commentary on Lk 21:25-36 Working Preacher

The Lutheran home commentary on Advent 1, reading the cosmic signs as a call to hopeful watchfulness rather than fear.

Luke 21:25-36 CommentaryLk 21:25-36 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching commentary that frames the passage as the start of the church's hopeful, cyclical story.

Luke 21 - The Coming of the Son of ManLk 21 - The Coming of the Son of Man Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the Olivet Discourse as Luke tells it.

Luke Commentaries and SermonsLk Commentaries and Sermons Precept Austin

An inductive study gateway with word studies and cross references across Luke, including chapter 21.

Luke 21:25 CommentariesLk 21:25 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the fig tree and the call to watch.

Luke 21:25 Verse-by-Verse CommentaryLk 21:25 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight

A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice on the passage.

We Are Waiting, Advent 1 (C) Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

An Anglican homily on Advent as a season of active, hopeful waiting rather than passive delay.

Background & Word Study

Book of Luke OverviewBook of Lk Overview BibleProject

An animated overview of Luke's structure and themes to set the Gospel in context.

Luke 21:25 InterlinearLk 21:25 Interlinear BibleHub

The Greek of the passage word by word with parsing and lexical helps.

The Church Fathers

Luke 21 (Catena)Lk 21 (Catena) Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on the signs of the Son of Man's coming.

Podcast

Sermon Brainwave: First Sunday of Advent Working Preacher

Luther Seminary scholars talk through the Advent 1 texts in podcast form.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated index of images for this reading across the history of Christian art.

Study Hub

The Text This Week: Advent 1, Year C Textweek

A comprehensive lectionary link aggregator across every reading for the day.

Questions preachers ask

What does Jesus say of the end?

There will be signs in sun, moon, and stars and distress among the nations, then the Son of Man will come in glory; straighten up, for your redemption draws near, and stay awake (Luke 21:25–36).

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 21:25-36
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.