Luke 21:25

σημεῖα, etc.: the reference to the signs in heaven is very summary as compared with the graphic picture in the parallels. Lk. is more interested in the state of things on earth. συνοχὴ ἐ., distress of nations, cf. συνέχομαι in Luke 12:50. ἐν ἀπορίᾳ may be connected with what follows or with ἐθνῶν = nations in perplexity, in which case the last clause ἠχοῦς, etc. will depend on συνοχὴ = distress from the noise and billows (σάλος = wave-movement: ἡ τῆς θαλάσσης κλύδωνος κίνησις, Hesych.) of the sea (so Hahn). The main difficulty lies in the vagueness of the reference to the sea. Is it meant literally, or is it a metaphor for the disturbed state of the world? If the latter the force of the genitives ἠχοῦς, σάλου will be best brought out by supposing ὡς to be understood = in perplexity like the state of the sea in a storm. So Heinsius (Exer. Sac.): “ ἀπορίαν illam et calamitatem mari fore similem, quoties horrendum tonat atque commovetur,” citing in support Tertullian's veluti a sonitu maris fluctuantis. The mode of expression is very loose: the sound of the sea and the waves, instead of “the sounding waves of the sea”. Yet the crudeness of the construction suits the mood described. ἠχους may be accented ἤχους (Tisch [177]) or ἠχοῦς (W.H [178]) according as it is derived from ἦχος (neuter like ἔλεος, νῖκος, etc., in N.T.) or from ἠχώ.

[177]isch. Tischendorf.

[178] Westcott and Hort.