¶ But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
But {G235} in {G1722} those {G1565} days {G2250}, after {G3326} that {G1565} tribulation {G2347}, the sun {G2246} shall be darkened {G4654}, and {G2532} the moon {G4582} shall {G1325} not {G3756} give {G1325} her {G846} light {G5338},
In those days, after that trouble, the sun will grow dark, the moon will stop shining,
But in those days, after that tribulation: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
-
Acts 2:19
And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: -
Acts 2:20
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: -
Isaiah 13:10
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. -
Revelation 6:12
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; -
Revelation 6:14
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. -
Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: -
Matthew 24:31
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Mark 13:24 is a pivotal verse within Jesus's Olivet Discourse, a significant prophecy about the end times delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives.
Context
This verse follows Jesus's detailed predictions concerning a period of intense suffering and deception, often referred to as "the tribulation" (from Greek thlipsis, meaning affliction or distress). While parts of the Olivet Discourse found immediate fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, verses like Mark 13:24 clearly point to a future, cosmic culmination. It marks a transition from earthly turmoil to celestial phenomena that precede the dramatic return of Christ.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "after that tribulation" (Greek: meta tēn thlipsin ekeinēn) strongly emphasizes a chronological sequence. The "tribulation" itself refers to a period of intense pressure, suffering, and affliction. The imagery of the sun and moon being affected is not merely metaphorical but points to literal, visible signs that will accompany the culmination of God's plan, serving as unmistakable indicators to humanity.
Practical Application
For believers today, Mark 13:24 serves as a powerful reminder of the certainty of Christ's return and the reality of future prophetic events. It encourages vigilance, perseverance through trials, and a focus on eternal hope rather than earthly anxieties. These signs are not meant to induce fear but to call for spiritual readiness and to strengthen faith in God's unfailing promises, urging us to live in expectation of His glorious appearing.