And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is shifting the disciples' focus from expecting a spectacular, immediate manifestation of his kingdom to anticipating a future period of intense longing for his presence. This isn't about a future personal visit, but a deep yearning for the kind of direct interaction and reassurance they have now, which will be absent during prolonged times of struggle and waiting.
And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus turns from the Pharisees to address his disciples directly, shifting the focus from the when of his kingdom to the difficult realities they will face before its full manifestation. He forewarns them of future hardships and distresses, when they will long for the tangible presence of his earthly ministry that they now take for granted. This sorrowful longing will intensify during times of intense persecution and the rise of false messiahs, leading them to yearn for the days of his visible presence, which will then be out of reach.
Imagine a time when the very thing you cherish most is taken away, and all you can do is yearn for its return. Jesus speaks of such a future for his disciples.
Jesus turns to his disciples and delivers a sobering word: 'The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.' This isn't a casual observation; it's a prophetic warning born from deep compassion.
A Backward Glance
Many scholars see this as a reference to the difficult years ahead after Jesus' ascension. The disciples would face trials, opposition, and weariness. They would long for the simple days in Galilee, when Jesus was physically present, when they could ask him their questions and find comfort in his words. It’s a longing for the familiar, the tangible, the 'now' presence they took for granted.
A Forward Yearn
But it’s also a forward look. This longing extends to all believers throughout the ages who face the slow, often arduous work of advancing God's kingdom. In moments of doubt or spiritual struggle, they too will yearn for a more direct, overwhelming manifestation of Christ's power and presence, perhaps even for his final, triumphant return, a day that seems to tarry.
Jesus is teaching them – and us – to appreciate the present spiritual reality of His kingdom, even when it’s not accompanied by the physical presence they once knew. The spiritual 'days of the Son of Man' are still available, though they might be experienced differently.
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When times get tough, people look for saviors. Jesus warns his disciples that the future holds not only hardship but also dangerous pretenders.
Jesus' words in Luke 17:22 aren't just about missing His presence; they also speak to a specific historical context and a recurring danger.
Forewarning of Trouble
Commentators point to the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish state as a key fulfillment of this prophecy. In the turbulent years leading up to 70 AD, the Jewish people faced immense suffering and persecution. During this time, many would desperately wish for the Messiah's promised intervention – a day of national deliverance, a triumphant king.
Beware of False Messiahs
However, Jesus warns that in this distress, 'false Christs and false prophets' would arise (as noted in the following verses and parallels in Matthew 24). These deceivers would exploit the people's longing for a deliverer, promising rescue and claiming to be the Messiah. The disciples would desire a true day of the Son of Man's power, but they would be tempted by false hopes and would not see the deliverance they desired from these pretenders.
Jesus is equipping His followers to discern the genuine work of God amidst chaos and to avoid being led astray by those who would capitalize on desperation.
Understand the original words
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun Phrase
A term used by Jesus for himself, derived from Daniel 7:13-14, identifying him as the heavenly representative and Messiah who possesses authority, glory, and sovereign rule over all nations.
Jesus is looking ahead, knowing that after his departure, his disciples would face immense hardship and longing for his presence. This verse highlights their future distress and the difficulty of finding true spiritual comfort in a world filled with upheaval and false promises.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Disciple's Presence
Jesus is actively ministering, and his disciples have the unparalleled opportunity to be with him daily, learning and experiencing the Kingdom of God firsthand.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Ascension
Jesus is crucified and later ascends to heaven, ending his physical presence with the disciples.
c. AD 40-60s
Period of Increasing Distress and False Messiahs
The Jewish nation experiences growing internal turmoil and external pressure, leading to the rise of various figures claiming to be the Messiah, offering false hope and leading people astray.
c. AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War and Siege of Jerusalem
The devastating war culminates in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple, a period of immense suffering and loss for the Jewish people.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' teaching about fasting and the Bridegroom being taken away, explaining that the disciples' current joy will be replaced by a longing for His presence when He is gone.
John 16:6Jesus explains that His impending departure will cause sorrow, directly supporting the idea that His disciples will later yearn for His presence.
Amos 8:11This Old Testament prophet speaks of a time of spiritual famine and a desperate longing for God's word, which resonates with the disciples' future spiritual hunger for Christ's presence.
2 Peter 3:12This New Testament passage echoes the sentiment of eager expectation for God's day, highlighting a similar yearning that the disciples will experience for Christ's promised return.
Luke 21:20-24This passage, also found in Luke, describes the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the distress of the people, which is contextually linked to the disciples' future desire for deliverance and Christ's presence during calamitous times.
pulpitLuke 17:22: "And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it."
Verse 22. - And he said unto the disciples. The Master now turns to the disciples, and, basing his words still upon the question of the Pharisees, he proceeds to deliver a weighty discourse upon the coming of the kingdom which will be manifest indeed, and externally, as well as internally, exceeding glorious, and for which this kingdom, now at…
barnesLuke 17:22: "And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it."
(The days will come He here takes occasion to direct the minds of his disciples to the days of vengeance which were about to fall on the Jewish nation. Heavy calamities will befall the Jewish people, and you will desire a deliverer. Ye shall desire - You who now number yourselves among my disciples. One of the days of the Son of man - The Son…
Jesus is shifting the disciples' focus from expecting a spectacular, immediate manifestation of his kingdom to anticipating a future period of intense longing for his presence. This isn't about a future personal visit, but a deep yearning for the kind of direct interaction and reassurance they have now, which will be absent during prolonged times of struggle and waiting.
Jesus turns from the Pharisees to address his disciples directly, shifting the focus from the when of his kingdom to the difficult realities they will face before its full manifestation. He forewarns them of future hardships and distresses, when they will long for the tangible presence of his earthly ministry that they now take for granted. This sorrowful longing will intensify during times of intense persecution and the rise of false messiahs, leading them to yearn for the days of his visible presence, which will then be out of reach.
Jesus turns from the Pharisees to address his disciples directly, shifting the focus from the when of his kingdom to the difficult realities they will face before its full manifestation. He forewarns them of future hardships and distresses, when they will long for the tangible presence of his earthly ministry that they now take for granted. This sorrowful longing will intensify during times of intense persecution and the rise of false messiahs, leading them to yearn for the days of his visible presence, which will then be out of reach.
"And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it." — Jesus is shifting the disciples' focus from expecting a spectacular, immediate manifestation of his kingdom to anticipating a future period of intense longing for his presence. This isn't about a fut…
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Last reviewed October 2026