1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
For
G3754
ὅτι
For
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
1 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὐτὸς
himself
G846
αὐτὸς
himself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 23
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
φωνῇ
the voice
G5456
φωνῇ
the voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
8 of 23
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
13 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
15 of 23
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
16 of 23
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Revelation 1:7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.1 Corinthians 15:23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.Matthew 16:27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.Matthew 25:31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:2 Thessalonians 1:7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,Isaiah 27:13And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.Acts 1:11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.Psalms 47:5God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.Zechariah 9:14And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.2 Thessalonians 2:1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
Historical Context
Paul's rapture teaching drew on Jewish apocalyptic imagery (Daniel 7:13-14; Zechariah 14:5) and Jesus's Olivet Discourse (Matt 24:30-31). The 'shout,' 'archangel's voice,' and 'trumpet' indicate public, unmistakable appearing—not secret rapture but visible return. The phrase 'dead in Christ shall rise first' established orthodox eschatology: bodily resurrection precedes eternal state. This contradicted both Greek philosophy (which denied bodily resurrection, Acts 17:32) and some Jewish views (which expected only living believers would enjoy Messianic kingdom).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the publicity of Christ's return (shout, archangel, trumpet) affect your understanding of the rapture?
- What comfort does 'the dead in Christ shall rise first' provide regarding believing loved ones who've died?
- How does expectation of bodily resurrection (not merely spiritual immortality) affect your view of death and eternal life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first—hoti autos ho Kyrios en keleusm ati, en phōnē archangelou kai en salpingi Theou, katabēsetai ap' ouranou, kai hoi nekroi en Christō anastēsontai prōton (ὅτι αὐτὸς ὁ Κύριος ἐν κελεύσματι, ἐν φωνῇ ἀρχαγγέλου καὶ ἐν σάλπιγγι Θεοῦ, καταβήσεται ἀπ' οὐρανοῦ, καὶ οἱ νεκροὶ ἐν Χριστῷ ἀναστήσονται πρῶτον). This is Scripture's most detailed rapture description. Autos ho Kyrios (αὐτὸς ὁ Κύριος, 'the Lord himself')—Christ personally, not angels or intermediaries, descends.
Three audible signals accompany His descent:
This sequence ensures no believer is excluded from resurrection glory.