King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Complete Jewish Bible:
the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in heaven will be shaken.z
Berean Standard Bible:
the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’
American Standard Version:
and the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} the stars{G792} of heaven{G3772} shall{G2071} fall{G1601}, and{G2532} the powers{G1411} that are in{G1722} heaven{G3772} shall be shaken{G4531}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 34:4
- And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling [fig] from the fig tree.
Revelation 6:13
- And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Mark 13:25
Mark 13:25 is part of a larger discourse known as the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus speaks to his disciples about the end times and the coming destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This verse is situated within an apocalyptic literary tradition common in Jewish and Christian writings of the period, which uses vivid, symbolic language to describe the cosmic upheaval associated with the eschaton—the end of the world as known and the final judgment.
In the historical context, Jesus' words would have resonated with contemporary Jewish expectations of the Day of the Lord, a time when God would dramatically intervene in history to judge and to save. The imagery of stars falling and celestial powers being shaken would have been understood as signs of divine intervention and the dissolution of the current world order. Such language is not unique to Christianity; similar motifs appear in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in prophetic books like Isaiah, Joel, and Daniel.
The themes of Mark 13:25 include the sovereignty of God over creation, the inevitability of divine judgment, and the transition from the present age to the age to come. The verse emphasizes the cosmic scope of God's power and the radical change that will occur, signaling an end to the existing heavenly and earthly structures. It serves as a warning and a source of hope: a warning to those who are unprepared for the coming judgment and a source of hope for believers who anticipate the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth.
In summary, Mark 13:25 reflects the apocalyptic expectations of first-century Judaism and early Christianity, using dramatic astronomical imagery to convey the profound transformation that will accompany the end times. It speaks to the power of God to overturn the current order and inaugurate a new era of justice and peace, as foretold by prophetic tradition.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G792
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀστήρ
Transliteration: astḗr
Pronunciation: as-tare'
Description: probably from the base of στρώννυμι; a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively:--star. - Strong's Number: G3772
There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐρανός
Transliteration: ouranós
Pronunciation: oo-ran-os'
Description: perhaps from the same as ὄρος (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky. - Strong's Number: G2071
There are 170 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔσομαι
Transliteration: ésomai
Pronunciation: es'-om-ahee
Description: future of εἰμί; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn. - Strong's Number: G1601
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκπίπτω
Transliteration: ekpíptō
Pronunciation: ek-pip'-to
Description: from ἐκ and πίπτω; to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient:--be cast, fail, fall (away, off), take none effect. - Strong's Number: G1411
There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δύναμις
Transliteration: dýnamis
Pronunciation: doo'-nam-is
Description: from δύναμαι; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G4531
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σαλεύω
Transliteration: saleúō
Pronunciation: sal-yoo'-o
Description: from σάλος; to waver, i.e. agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite:--move, shake (together), which can(-not) be shaken, stir up.