Luke 17:22 (KJV) reads, "And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it." This verse is part of a larger passage in which Jesus is addressing his disciples and teaching them about the coming of the kingdom of God. In this specific verse, Jesus is preparing his disciples for the days to come when they will long to see him, but will not be able to.

The verse is rich with meaning and deep theological implications. Firstly, it speaks to the humanity of the disciples and their longing for the physical presence of Jesus. Throughout the gospels, we see the disciples constantly seeking the company and guidance of Jesus. They looked to him as their leader and teacher, and they found comfort and reassurance in his presence. Therefore, when Jesus tells them that there will come a time when they long to see him but will not be able to, it is a foreshadowing of the despair and longing they will feel after his crucifixion and ascension into heaven. This verse also implies that for a time, Jesus' physical presence will be absent from the disciples' lives, which leads them to yearn for his return.

Furthermore, the verse also alludes to the eschatological themes that pervade the New Testament. Jesus often spoke about the "Son of Man" and the end times, and here he is forewarning the disciples of the days when they will long for the return of the Son of Man but will not be able to see it. This reminds us that as believers, we are called to live in the tension of the "already but not yet" kingdom of God. We have experienced the presence of Jesus through his life, death, and resurrection, but we are also awaiting his return and the fulfillment of his kingdom.

In the context of the larger passage in Luke 17, Jesus is addressing the disciples' questions about the coming of the kingdom of God. He speaks about the days of the Son of Man and paints a picture of what those days will look like. He describes them as days of longing and yearning, but also as days of unexpectedness and surprise. This passage reminds us that the kingdom of God will come in its own time and in unexpected ways, and we are called to be vigilant and prepared for its arrival.

In terms of symbolism, the verse can be seen as representing the tension between the physical and spiritual presence of Jesus. The disciples, like us, long for the physical presence of Jesus, but Jesus is pointing to a time when they will have to rely solely on their faith and the spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit. This verse also serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God and the unfolding of his divine plan. It reminds us that while we may long for certain things, God's timing and ways are beyond our understanding, and we are called to trust in his perfect plan.

In conclusion, Luke 17:22 (KJV) is a profound verse that speaks to the disciples' longing for the physical presence of Jesus and the eschatological themes that underpin the New Testament. It encourages us to be vigilant and prepared for the coming of the kingdom of God while trusting in God's perfect timing and sovereignty. It is a reminder that our faith is not dependent on seeing, but on trusting in the unseen and the promises of God.