34 Bible Verses about Waiting
Most Relevant Verses
But the natives expected him to swell up [from snake bite] or fall dead suddenly, but after expecting this for a long time and not seeing any harm come to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
So, my brothers, when you assemble for a meal, wait for each other [i.e., so some will not be finished before others. See verse 21].
Now while Paul was waiting for them [to arrive] in Athens, he was deeply stirred in his spirit when he saw the city so full of idols.
These [men] had gone ahead and were waiting for us [when we arrived] in Troas [i.e., a seaport town across the Aegean Sea from Philippi]. [Note: The use of "us" begins here again, suggesting that the writer Luke rejoins the party at Philippi. See next verse]. And we [ourselves] sailed away from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread [Note: This was the Jewish feast commemorating deliverance from Egyptian bondage], and five days later [we] joined them at Troas [i.e., the seven men mentioned in verses
For as you are eating, each one of you partakes of his own supper [ahead of the others], so that one person is [still] hungry while the other gets drunk.
Now as people were anticipating [what would happen] and everyone was wondering in their hearts if perhaps John were the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one],
And look, I [am going to] send upon you apostles what my Father promised [i.e., the Holy Spirit. See John 14:26]; but you should wait in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from above." [Note: This promise was fulfilled when the apostles were immersed in the Holy Spirit. See Acts 1:4 - 2:4].
[One day, as He was] gathered with these apostles, He urged them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there until they received what the Father had promised them. (Jesus had previously discussed this with them). [See Luke 24:49]. For [Jesus had said, Matt. 3:11], "John immersed you [men] in water but [this time] you will be immersed in the Holy Spirit, and [it will happen] in just a few more days."
These people [all] continued to have faith until they died, [even though] they had not obtained [all] the things God had promised, but had [only] seen them and welcomed them from a distance. And they had confessed to being strangers and aliens on earth.
Now there was a righteous and devoted man named Simeon at Jerusalem, who was expecting the consolation of the Israelites [i.e., the coming of the Messiah to save them], and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Joseph, from Arimathea, a highly respected member of the [Jewish] Council, who was expecting the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate [i.e., the Roman appointed governor] and asked [him] for the body of Jesus.
(and who had not agreed with the decision and action of the [Jewish] Council). He was expecting the kingdom of God [to appear soon].
And a white robe was given to each one of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the [full] number of their fellow servants and their brothers would be killed like they were.
So, be patient, brothers, until the Lord comes. Look, the farmer waits for his land to produce the valuable crop and is patient with it until it receives the fall and spring rains. [So], you people should be patient also; strengthen your hearts because the Lord's coming is near [Note: This may refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, or to Christ's final coming and judgment].
and be like men expecting their master to return from the wedding reception, so that when he does come and knock [at the groom's house, See note on Matt. 25:1-12], they will immediately open [the door] to him.
so that you are not lacking in any [spiritual] gift, while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed [i.e., at His second coming].
And [they tell how you are] waiting for His Son [to come] from heaven, the One He raised up from the dead --- this Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath [of God].
so Christ also, who was once [for all] offered [as a sacrifice] to take away the sins of many people, will come back a second time, not to take away sin, [but] to provide salvation to those who are waiting for Him.
For [all] creation [Note: "Creation" here refers to the material heavens and earth, and is personified through verse 23] is eagerly waiting for the children of God to be revealed [i.e., in their glorious state]. But God subjected the created world to aimless frustration [i.e., after the fall. See Gen. 3:17-18] --- it did not happen by its own choice. Yet there was hope that the created world itself would be freed from its slavery to corrupting influences [i.e., produced by the fall] and receive the glorious freedom which belongs to God's children.
But if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in your hearts, [then] that One [i.e., God] who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead, will restore life to your mortal bodies also, through [the power of] God's Spirit who lives in your hearts.
It is the same way with the resurrection of dead people. [A person's body] is buried [only] to decay; it is raised up never to decay again. It is buried in dishonor; it is raised up in splendor. It is buried in weakness; it is raised up in power.
But, since God has promised it, we look forward to new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will prevail.
Dearly loved ones, we are God's children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like!
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and the first earth [had] passed away, and there was no longer any ocean.
From Thematic Bible
Waiting » Those that wait on the lord
"Fasten your belts [i.e., get things ready], keep your lamps lit, and be like men expecting their master to return from the wedding reception, so that when he does come and knock [at the groom's house, See note on Matt. 25:1-12], they will immediately open [the door] to him. Those slaves whom their master finds being watchful when he returns are [certainly] blessed. Truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt [i.e., get things ready] and have them recline [at his dinner table] and will come and serve them. read more.
And if he comes between nine o'clock and midnight or between midnight and three o'clock in the morning and finds them being watchful, those slaves will be blessed [for doing so]. But you should realize this, if the owner of the house had known exactly when the burglar was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. So, you also should be ready, for the Son of man will return at a time when you least expect Him."
Waiting » The reward for waiting on the lord
Waiting » Who waits for the lord
For I consider that our present sufferings do not deserve to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us [i.e., in the future life]. For [all] creation [Note: "Creation" here refers to the material heavens and earth, and is personified through verse 23] is eagerly waiting for the children of God to be revealed [i.e., in their glorious state]. But God subjected the created world to aimless frustration [i.e., after the fall. See Gen. 3:17-18] --- it did not happen by its own choice. Yet there was hope read more.
that the created world itself would be freed from its slavery to corrupting influences [i.e., produced by the fall] and receive the glorious freedom which belongs to God's children. For we know that the entire created world moans in painful anguish [i.e., as a woman in childbirth] until this present moment. And not just the world, but even we [Christians] ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit [i.e., the first installment of our inheritance from God] also groan within us, eagerly waiting to be adopted as [God's] children, and receive back our bodies [i.e., in the resurrection].
Christ set us free [from condemnation under the law of Moses], so we could stay free! Remain where you are then, and do not get tangled up again in the enslaving harness [of the law of Moses]. Look, I Paul am telling you that, if you revert to [the practice of] circumcision [i.e., the Jewish rite of identity, signifying the responsibility to observe the law of Moses], then Christ's [sacrifice] will be of no value to you. Yes, I declare to every person who attempts to require circumcision [as a means of gaining acceptance with God], that he must also obey everything else required by the law of Moses. read more.
Those of you who seek to be right with God by observing the requirements of the law of Moses have severed yourselves from [your relationship with] Christ; you have fallen away from God's unearned favor. For we are waiting for the hope [to be fulfilled] of being made right with God by [the power of] the Holy Spirit. For in [our relationship with] Christ neither the practice of circumcision nor refraining from its practice matters in any way; but [all that really matters is having a genuine] faith [in Christ] that causes us to work [for Him] out of a genuine love [for Him and others].
Waiting » Illustrated
So, be patient, brothers, until the Lord comes. Look, the farmer waits for his land to produce the valuable crop and is patient with it until it receives the fall and spring rains.
and be like men expecting their master to return from the wedding reception, so that when he does come and knock [at the groom's house, See note on Matt. 25:1-12], they will immediately open [the door] to him.
Waiting » Upon God » As the giver of all temporal blessings
Waiting » Exhortations and encouragements to
Waiting » Those who engage in » Are blessed
Waiting » Especially in adversity
Waiting » For salvation
Waiting » Those who engage in » Will not be ashamed
Waiting » Those who engage in » Will be saved
Waiting » Saints plead, in prayer
Waiting » For the coming of Christ
And [they tell how you are] waiting for His Son [to come] from heaven, the One He raised up from the dead --- this Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath [of God].
so that you are not lacking in any [spiritual] gift, while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed [i.e., at His second coming].
Waiting » For protection
Waiting » Predicted of the gentiles
Waiting » Saints resolve on
Waiting » With patience
Waiting » Those who engage in » Will renew their strength
Waiting » Upon God » As the God of providence
Waiting » Should be with the soul
Waiting » For pardon
Waiting » Those who engage in » Will receive the glorious things prepared by God for them
Waiting » Those who engage in » Will rejoice in salvation
Waiting » Exemplified » Isaiah
Waiting » Exemplified » Joseph
Joseph, from Arimathea, a highly respected member of the [Jewish] Council, who was expecting the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate [i.e., the Roman appointed governor] and asked [him] for the body of Jesus.
Waiting » Exemplified » jacob
Waiting » In the way of his judgments
Waiting » With hope in his word
Waiting » With earnest desire
Waiting » For mercy
Waiting » Those who engage in » Will inherit the earth
Waiting » Those who engage in » Experience his goodness
Waiting » Those who engage in » Wait upon him only
Waiting » Those who engage in » Are heard
Waiting » Exemplified » Micah
Waiting » Exemplified » David
Waiting » Upon God » As the God of salvation
Waiting » The patience of saints often tested in
Waiting » For the fulfillment of his word
Waiting » For the consolation of israel
Now there was a righteous and devoted man named Simeon at Jerusalem, who was expecting the consolation of the Israelites [i.e., the coming of the Messiah to save them], and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Waiting » For guidance and teaching
Waiting » Continually
Waiting » Saints have expectation from
Waiting » With full confidence
Waiting » With resignation
Waiting » God calls us to
Waiting » All day
Waiting » Is good
Waiting » For the hope of righteousness by faith
For we are waiting for the hope [to be fulfilled] of being made right with God by [the power of] the Holy Spirit.
Waiting » For the fulfillment of his promises
[One day, as He was] gathered with these apostles, He urged them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there until they received what the Father had promised them. (Jesus had previously discussed this with them). [See Luke 24:49].
Topics on Waiting
Attitudes While Waiting For Second Coming
Luke 12:36and be like men expecting their master to return from the wedding reception, so that when he does come and knock [at the groom's house, See note on Matt. 25:1-12], they will immediately open [the door] to him.
God Waiting
1 Peter 3:20These people had disobeyed [Noah's preaching, See II Pet. 2:5] back when God's patience waited [for them to repent, See Gen. 6:3], during the days of Noah, when the ship was being constructed. It was by that means [i.e., the ship floating them to safety through the Flood waters] that a few persons, eight of them, were saved [from destruction] through water.
People Waiting
Luke 1:21Now the people who waited [outside] for Zacharias were very surprised that he was staying in the Temple so long.
Waiting At Gates
Acts 9:24but he found out about their plan. And so they watched the gates [of the city] day and night [looking for their chance] to kill him.
Waiting For God's Timing
2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slow about keeping His promise, like some people are, but is [simply] being patient with you, since He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but He wants everyone to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives].
Waiting For The Second Coming
Philippians 3:20But we are [really] citizens of heaven and we are waiting for a Savior [to return] from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Waiting On God
James 5:7-8So, be patient, brothers, until the Lord comes. Look, the farmer waits for his land to produce the valuable crop and is patient with it until it receives the fall and spring rains.
Waiting On The Lord
2 Thessalonians 3:5And may the Lord direct your hearts to love [people] as God does, and to be steadfast as Christ was.
Waiting Till Marriage
1 Corinthians 7:9But if they cannot control their [sexual] desires, they should get married, for it is better [for them] to marry than to burn [i.e., with sexual lust which cannot be legitimately gratified].