by Ester yusufu | 6 February 2021 08:46 pm02
Question:
Shalom! I would like to understand the meaning of this verse:
Luke 17:37:
“And they answered and said to Him, ‘Where, Lord?’ So He said to them, ‘Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.’”
Answer:
To grasp the meaning of this verse, we need to read it in its full context. Jesus had just finished speaking to His disciples about the coming of the Kingdom and the deceptive times of the last days.
Let’s look at the earlier verses:
Luke 17:22-23:
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. People will tell you, “There He is!” or “Here He is!” Do not go running off after them.’”
Jesus was warning His disciples not to follow every claim about His return. He was preparing them — and us — for a time of spiritual deception, where false messiahs and prophets would try to lead people astray.
This idea is emphasized further in:
Matthew 24:23-26:
“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.”
Jesus was describing a time when people will be spiritually hungry and vulnerable, chasing after signs and spiritual movements — some of which are not from God. He tells His followers to remain steady, rooted in the truth, and not to run after every new spiritual trend.
That’s when the disciples asked Him, “Where, Lord?”
They were essentially asking, “Where will all this happen? Where should we look for You?”
And Jesus answered with this metaphor:
Luke 17:37 “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”
In ancient Jewish culture, this proverb was understood to mean that just as eagles (or vultures) naturally gather around a carcass, God’s people — those with spiritual discernment — will gather where the true presence of Christ is. In other words, the truth does not need marketing. Just as birds of prey are drawn to a carcass without needing directions, true believers will be drawn to genuine spiritual nourishment.
Also, in 1 John 2:27 we’re told:-
“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things… remain in him.”
This affirms that the Holy Spirit guides the believer to the truth — just like an eagle instinctively knows where its food is.
In these last days, we are warned not to chase every new teaching or miracle movement. Not everything that looks spiritual is from God. Many modern “ministries” market signs and wonders, but may lack sound doctrine or holiness.
As believers, we are called to have eagle vision — to see clearly through deception and pursue the true Word of God. We must not be like spiritual chickens, pecking at whatever is nearby, but like eagles who soar high and see far.
Jesus has already warned us — spiritual deception will increase. But if we remain close to Him, rooted in Scripture, and led by the Holy Spirit, we will always find the right spiritual food for our time.
Hebrews 5:14
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
Don’t run after every voice that says, “Here is Christ!” Let God guide you to the right place, the right message, the right teacher, and the right spiritual food. True eagles always find where the nourishment is.
May the Lord bless you and give you spiritual sight to recognize the truth in every season.
Amen.
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