Verse 30
What is the sign of the Son of Man? One very old interpretation is that it is a display of the cross in the sky. [Note: Alford, 1:243.] This view has seemed fanciful to most interpreters. A popular view is that it will be a light and or a cloud similar to or perhaps identical with the Shekinah that will surround Jesus when He comes. [Note: M’Neile, p. 352; English, p. 177; Gaebelein, 2:209; Pentecost, The Words . . ., p. 404.] This seems most probable to me since Jesus evidently was referring to Daniel 7:13 when He said these words. Furthermore when Jesus ascended to heaven in a cloud an angel told His disciples that He would return the same way (Acts 1:11). The clouds symbolize the heavenly origin and character of the King (cf. Matthew 17:5). [Note: Plummer, p. 336.] A third view is that the sign will be Christ. [Note: Allen, pp. 258-59; Darby, 3:125; Kelly, p. 27; Lenski, p. 948.] In this case the appearance of Christ would signify coming judgment. This may be the correct view.
Zechariah prophesied that all the tribes of Israel in the land would mourn in repentance (Zechariah 12:12). Jesus identified this prediction with His coming and broadened it to include all the tribes of the earth. Probably the unsaved will mourn because of the judgment they anticipate.
Be the first to react on this!
