Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Original Language Analysis
Προσέχετε
take heed
G4337
Προσέχετε
take heed
Strong's:
G4337
Word #:
1 of 23
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
ἑαυτοῖς
to yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
to yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
3 of 23
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
μήποτε
lest at any time
G3379
μήποτε
lest at any time
Strong's:
G3379
Word #:
4 of 23
not ever; also if (or lest) ever (or perhaps)
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίαι
hearts
G2588
καρδίαι
hearts
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
8 of 23
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
κραιπάλῃ
surfeiting
G2897
κραιπάλῃ
surfeiting
Strong's:
G2897
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, a headache (as a seizure of pain) from drunkenness, i.e., (by implication) a debauch (by analogy, a glut)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μέθῃ
drunkenness
G3178
μέθῃ
drunkenness
Strong's:
G3178
Word #:
12 of 23
an intoxicant, i.e., (by implication) intoxication
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐφ'
upon
G1909
ἐφ'
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ἐπιστῇ
come
G2186
ἐπιστῇ
come
Strong's:
G2186
Word #:
20 of 23
to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Mark 4:19And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.Luke 12:40Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.1 Corinthians 6:10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.Revelation 3:3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.2 Peter 3:14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.1 Corinthians 5:11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.Isaiah 28:7But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.Matthew 13:22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.Galatians 5:20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,Hosea 4:11Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
Historical Context
This warning follows the Olivet Discourse on Jerusalem's destruction (AD 70) and end-times signs. Jesus warns disciples that both catastrophic judgment and final return require readiness. Early church lived in constant expectation of Christ's return (Romans 13:11-14, 1 Peter 4:7), making vigilance urgent.
Questions for Reflection
- How can both excessive indulgence and anxious worry equally dull your spiritual alertness to Christ's coming?
- What specific 'cares of this life' currently burden your heart and distract from eternal readiness?
- How should living with constant expectation of 'that day' reshape your daily priorities and choices?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged (Προσέχετε δὲ ἑαυτοῖς μήποτε βαρηθῶσιν ὑμῶν αἱ καρδίαι, Prosechete de heautois mēpote barēthōsin hymōn hai kardiai)—Prosechō heautois (take heed to yourselves) commands self-vigilance. Mēpote (lest at any time) warns against even momentary lapse. Bareō (to weigh down, burden, overcharge) in the aorist passive subjunctive barēthōsin suggests sudden heaviness overtaking the kardia (heart), the center of will and affection.
With surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life (ἐν κραιπάλῃ καὶ μέθῃ καὶ μερίμναις βιωτικαῖς, en kraipālē kai methē kai merimnais biōtikais)—three dangers: kraipālē (surfeiting, dissipation, the hangover and nausea from excess), methē (drunkenness), and merimnai biōtikai (cares/anxieties of life). Note Jesus equates sensual excess (drunkenness) with mundane anxiety (life's cares)—both dull spiritual alertness. And so that day come upon you unawares (καὶ ἐπιστῇ ἐφ' ὑμᾶς αἰφνίδιος ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνη, kai epistē eph' hymas aiphnidios hē hēmera ekeinē)—epistēmi (to come upon, arrive suddenly) with aiphnidios (unexpected, sudden) warns of Christ's return catching unprepared believers like a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4).