21:36a–b

So: In Greek 21:36 begins with a common conjunction that is often translated as “But.” The Berean Standard Bible translates this word as So. In this verse Jesus told his disciples to “keep watch.” This command is similar to 21:34, where he said “watch yourselves.” A few English versions use “But” here. However, in some languages a contrast conjunction like “but” may imply a wrong contrast. Most English versions do not translate the conjunction. Connect this verse to 21:35 in a natural way in your language.

keep watch at all times, and pray: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as keep watch at all times, and pray is more literally “be alert at every time praying.” The phrase “at every time” may go with “be alert” or with “pray” or with both:

(1) It goes with both keep watch and with pray. For example:

But keep on the alert at all times, praying (New American Standard Bible)

(New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, English Standard Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It goes with keep watch. For example:

Be alert at all times. Pray… (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, New American Standard Bible)

(3) It goes with pray. For example:

Be on watch and pray always (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, King James Version)

The meaning of all three options is almost the same, and any of the options is acceptable. However, it is most likely that Jesus implied that his disciples must always be alert and also that they must always pray.

This sentence may imply that praying is the way his disciples can stay alert, or that praying is what they must do while they always stay alert. Some ways to translate this are:

keep on the alert at all times, praying… (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Be always watching and praying that…
-or-
you should always be on your guard and you should always pray

21:36a

So keep watch at all times: The Greek command that the Berean Standard Bible translates as keep watch at all times means “Always be alert.” In this context the command implies that Jesus’ disciples should expect him to return at any moment. They must be careful to avoid doing evil so that they will be always ready for his return. Some other ways to translate this are:

Keep alert at all times. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Be always watchful.
-or-
Be prepared continually.

at all times: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as at all times is more literally “at every time.” It refers to each moment.

21:36b–c

and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as may have the strength occurs only once in this verse. Most English versions follow the Greek text and do not repeat this verb before the words to stand. For example:

praying that you may have strength to escape…and to stand (NET Bible)

The context implies that the clause that begins with and to stand is a result of having the strength to escape in the previous clause. In some languages it may be necessary to make this connection explicit. For example:

praying that you will have strength to endure all that will happen so that you can stand before the Son of Man

In other languages it may be more natural to translate 21:36c as a separate sentence. For example:

…praying that you will be strong to escape all that will happen. Pray that you may be able to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.

Translate 21:36b–c in a natural way in your language.

21:36b

and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you may have the strength means to have strength or ability for a certain purpose. Here Jesus told his followers to pray that they would have strength to escape the terrible things that would soon happen.

In this context escape probably refers to going safely through danger. The following clause implies that Jesus’ followers will be in danger of doing things that will make them ashamed to stand in his presence. They should pray to remain faithful throughout the time before he comes.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

pray…that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen (Good News Translation)
-or-
ask God to give you strength to be ⌊faithful⌋ through all that will happen
-or-
keep calling-out to the Lord God, so that you will be strong to endure all the sufferings that are about to happen

21:36c

You may want to refer again to the note on 21:36b–c as you translate 21:36c.

and to stand before the Son of Man: The action to stand before the Son of Man will happen after Jesus returns to earth and after the preceding times of suffering have ended. Then all his disciples who have been faithful to him during those times will stand before him.

Some scholars suggest that Jesus will judge his followers at that time. However, the text does not mention judgment, and no English version makes it explicit. It is recommended that you use a general expression that does not refer specifically to being judged.

In this context the text implies that Jesus’ followers will stand joyfully and without shame in his presence. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit:

and to stand ⌊with joy/confidence⌋ before the Son of Man
-or-
And then you will not be ashamed when you come before me
-or-
Pray that there may be nothing that shames you when you stand in my presence

stand before: In this context the phrase stand before implies a formal coming into the presence of Jesus after he returns as the victorious king. In some languages there may be a special way to describe coming to a king, chief, or other important person to meet with him. Use a natural expression in your language.

the Son of Man: The phrase the Son of Man was a title that Jesus often used to refer to himself. The term occurred earlier in this chapter at 21:27. See the note on 17:22a–b for translation suggestions. This term first occurs in Luke at 5:24a. See also “Son of Man” in Key Biblical Terms.

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