24"But in those days, after that crushing distress, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, [13:25] and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. [13:26] And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. [13:27] And then he will send out the messengers and will gather the elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky."
MRK 13:24-27
The Return of the Son of Man
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world, cosmic upheaval was a common motif in apocalyptic literature, signaling divine intervention and the end of the current age. The darkening of the sun, moon, and falling stars (Mark 13:24-25) would evoke Isaiah 13:10 and other prophetic texts, where such phenomena marked God’s judgment and the dawn of a new era. For Jewish listeners, this imagery would resonate with expectations of the 'Day of the Lord,' a time of both destruction and redemption. The 'tribulation' described here would be understood as a period of intense suffering, akin to the oppression under foreign rulers like Rome. The 'Son of Man' coming on clouds with power and glory draws from Daniel 7:13-14, where the figure represents divine authority and vindication. The gathering of the elect by angels reflects Jewish eschatological hope for the restoration of God’s people, scattered across the earth. For Gentile listeners familiar with Roman imperial propaganda, this imagery would subvert claims of Caesar’s divine authority, presenting Jesus as the true cosmic ruler.
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How other translations render this
MRK 13:24
- KJV
- But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
- BSB
- But in those days, after that tribulation: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
- Koinōnos
- But in those days, after that crushing distress, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light,
MRK 13:25
- KJV
- And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
- BSB
- the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’
- Koinōnos
- and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
MRK 13:26
- KJV
- And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
- BSB
- At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
- Koinōnos
- And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
MRK 13:27
- KJV
- And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
- BSB
- And He will send out the angels to gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
- Koinōnos
- And then he will send out the messengers and will gather the elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 13:24
- tribulation:The word translated 'tribulation' literally means 'pressure' or 'crushing.' It describes intense distress, like being squeezed or pressed down, rather than just general trouble.
MRK 13:25
- powers:The word translated 'powers' refers to inherent strength, ability, or might. It can describe physical power, authority, or even miraculous capability, suggesting a potent force.
MRK 13:26
- glory.:The word translated 'glory' carried a sense of visible splendor, honor, and reputation. It often referred to a radiant manifestation of divine presence or majesty, not just praise.
MRK 13:27
- angels:The word translated 'angels' literally means 'messengers.' While often referring to celestial beings, its core meaning emphasizes their role as divine envoys or communicators.