Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 21:25

"And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows;" — Luke 21:25 (ASV)

See Barnes on Matthew 24:29.

Upon the earth distress of nations. Some have proposed to interpret the word earth as land, confining its meaning to Judea. This word often carries this meaning, and there seems to be some appropriateness in understanding it this way here.

The word translated distress denotes anxiety of mind—the kind of anxiety people experience when they are unsure how to free themselves from calamities. It signifies here that the calamities would be so great and overwhelming that they would not know how to escape. There would be a lack of counsel and deep anxiety about the impending evils.

With perplexity. This phrase likely means "on account of their perplexity," or due to the desperate state of their affairs. The Syriac version renders it as, "perplexity or wringing of hands," which is a sign of deep distress and horror.

The sea and the waves roaring. This expression is not to be understood literally but as an image of great distress. It is probably intended to signify that these calamities would descend upon them like a deluge.

Just as in a storm the ocean roars, wave rolls upon wave and dashes against the shore, and each succeeding surge is more violent than the one before it, so the calamities would come upon Judea. These troubles would sweep over the whole land, and each successive wave of affliction would be more violent than the one preceding it, until the entire country would be desolate.

The same image is also used in Isaiah 8:7-8 and Revelation 18:15.