TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Complete Jewish Bible
In those days, after that trouble, the sun will grow dark, the moon will stop shining,
Berean Standard Bible
But in those days, after that tribulation: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
American Standard Version
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
World English Bible Messianic
But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,
Geneva Bible (1599)
Moreouer in those dayes, after that tribulation, the sunne shall waxe darke, and ye moone shall not giue her light,
Young's Literal Translation
`But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
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Commentary on Mark 13 verses 24–27
24 ¶ But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 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.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points
These verses seem to point at Christ's second coming, to judge the world; the disciples, in their question, had confounded the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world (Mat 24:3), which was built upon a mistake, as if the temple must needs stand as long as the world stands; this mistake Christ rectifies, and shows that the end of the world in those days, those other days you enquire about, the day of Christ's coming, and the day of judgment, shall be after that tribulation, and not coincident with it. Let those who live to see the Jewish nation destroyed, take heed of thinking that, because the Son of man doth not visibly come in the clouds then, he will never so come; no, he will come after that. And here he foretels,
1.The final dissolution of the present frame and fabric of the world; even of that part of it which seems least liable to change, the upper part, the pure and more refined part; The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall no more give her light; for they shall be quite outshone by the glory of the Son of man, Isa 24:23. The stars of heaven, that from the beginning had kept their place and regular motion, shall fall as leaves in autumn; and the powers that are in heaven, the heavenly bodies, the fixed stars, shall be shaken.
2.The visible appearance of the Lord Jesus, to whom the judgment of that day shall be committed (Mar 13:26); Then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds. Probably he will come over that very place where he sat when he said this; for the clouds are in the lower region of the air. He shall come with great power and glory, such as will be suited to the errand on which he comes. Every eye shall then see him.
3.The gathering together of all the elect to him (Mar 13:27); He shall send his angels, and gather together his elect to him, to meet him in the air, Th1 4:17. They shall be fetched from one end of the world to the other, so that none shall be missing from that general assembly; they shall be fetched from the uttermost part of the earth, most remote from the places where Christ's tribunal shall be set, and shall be brought to the uttermost part of heaven; so sure, so swift, so easy, shall their conveyance be, that there shall none of them miscarry, though they were to be brought from the uttermost part of the earth one way, to the uttermost part of the heaven another way. A faithful Israelite shall be carried safely, though it were from the utmost border of the land of bondage to the utmost border of the land of promise.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 24–27. Public domain.
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Pseudo-Jerome (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
But the tribulation shall be great, and the days short, for the sake of the elect, lest the evil of this time should change their understanding.
Or else, the sun shall be darkened, at the coldness of their hearts, as in the winter time. And the moon shall not give her light with serenity, in this time of quarrel, and the stars of heaven shall fail in their light, when the seed of Abraham shall all but disappear, for to it they are likened. (Gen. 22:17) And the powers of heaven shall be stirred up to the wrath of vengeance, when they shall be sent by the Son of Man at His coming, of whose Advent it is said, And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory, He, that is, who first came down like rain into the fleece of Gideon in all lowliness.
As corn winnowed from the threshing-floor of the whole earth.
Victorinus of PettauAD 304
Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John
"And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God" He speaks of Elias the prophet, who is the precursor of the times of Antichrist, for the restoration and establishment of the churches from the great and intolerable persecution. We read that these things are predicted in the opening of the Old and New Testament; for He says by Malachi: "Lo, I will send to you Elias the Tishbite, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, according to the time of calling, to recall the Jews to the faith of the people that succeed them." And to that end He shows, as we have said, that the number of those that shall believe, of the Jews and of the nations, is a great multitude which no man was able to number. Moreover, we read in the Gospel that the prayers of the Church are sent from heaven by an angel, and that they are received against wrath, and that the kingdom of Antichrist is cast out and extinguished by holy angels; for He says: "Pray that ye enter not into temptation: for there shall be a great affliction, such as has not been from the beginning of the world; and except the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved." Therefore He shall send these seven great archangels to smite the kingdom of Antichrist; for He Himself also thus said: "Then the Son of man shall send His messengers; and they shall gather together His elect from the four corners of the wind, from the one end of heaven even to the other end thereof." For, moreover, He previously says by the prophet: "Then shall there be peace for our land, when there shall arise in it seven shepherds and eight attacks of men; and they shall encircle Assur," that is, Antichrist, "in the trench of Nimrod," that is, in the nation of the devil, by the spirit of the Church. Similarly when the keepers of the house shall be moved. Moreover, the Lord Himself, in the parable to the apostles, when the labourers had come to Him and said, "Lord, did not we sow good seed in Thy field? whence, then, hath it tares? answered them, An enemy hath done this. And they said to Him, Lord, wilt Thou, then, that we go and root them up? And He said, Nay, but let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, that they gather the tares and make bundles of them, and burn them with fire everlasting, but that they gather the wheat into my barns." The Apocalypse here shows, therefore, that these reapers, and shepherds, and labourers, are the angels. And the trumpet is the word of power. And although the same thing recurs in the phials, still it is not said as if it occurred twice, but because what is decreed by the Lord to happen shall be once for all; for this cause it is said twice. What, therefore, He said too little in the trumpets, is here found in the phials. We must not regard the order of what is said, because frequently the Holy Spirit, when He has traversed even to the end of the last times, returns again to the same times, and fills up what He had before failed to say. Nor must we look for order in the Apocalypse; but we must follow the meaning of those things which are prophesied. Therefore in the trumpets and phials is signified either the desolation of the plagues that are sent upon the earth, or the madness of Antichrist himself, or the cutting off of the peoples, or the diversity of the plagues, or the hope in the kingdom of the saints, or the ruin of states, or the great overthrow of Babylon, that is, the Roman state.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Commentary on Luke, Book 10
And just as when the moon is in opposition to the sun, it disappears through the regular flow of the menstrual cycle or through the alignment of the earth, so too the holy Church, when the vices of the flesh oppose the heavenly light, cannot receive the divine radiance of Christ's rays. For in persecutions, the love of this life often excludes the light of God alone.
The stars will fall, those certainly shining with the glory of resurrection, those men like luminaries in the world holding the word of life, those men of whom it was said to Abraham, 'For as the sky shines and the stars, so shall his descendants be' (Gen. XIII, 16). Therefore, the patriarchs will fall to men, the prophets will fall, if the bitterness of persecution increases: which must happen until the Church is filled with all virtues and fullness in each; for in this way the good are proven, the weak are revealed.
Gregory the DialogistAD 604
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 1
Our Lord and Redeemer, most beloved brethren, desiring to find us prepared, announces what evils will follow upon the aging world, so that He might restrain us from love of it. He makes known what great calamities will precede its approaching end, so that if we are unwilling to fear God in times of peace, we may at least fear His judgment drawing near, worn down by these afflictions.
Of all these things, we certainly see some already accomplished, and we dread others as soon to come. For we see nation rising against nation and their pressure bearing down upon the lands more in our own times than we read of in books. How often we have heard from other parts of the world that earthquakes have destroyed countless cities, you well know. We suffer pestilences without ceasing. Signs in the sun, and moon, and stars we do not yet see openly, but that these too are not far off we gather from the very changes in the atmosphere. Indeed, before Italy was handed over to be struck by the barbarian sword, we saw fiery battle lines in the sky, flashing with that very blood of the human race which was afterward shed. But since many things foretold have already been fulfilled, there is no doubt that the few which remain will also follow, for the fulfillment of past events is the certainty of things to come.
Gregory the Dialogist (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 604
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(v. Greg Hom. in Ezech. lib. i. 9) Why however is it said with a doubt if it were possible, when the Lord knows beforehand what is to be? One of two things is implied; that if they are elect, it is not possible; and if it is possible, they are not elect. (non potest, ap. Cat.) This doubt therefore in our Lord's discourse expresses the trembling in the mind of the elect. And He calls them elect, because He sees that they will persevere in faith and good works; for those who are chosen to remain firm are to be tempted to fall by the signs of the preachers of Antichrist.
BedeAD 735
On the Gospel of Mark
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will darken, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars of the sky will fall. The stars will appear obscure on the day of judgment, not because their light decreases, but because the brightness of the true light, that is, of the supreme judge, will come, when he will come in his majesty, with the Father, and the holy angels; although nothing prevents it from being rightly understood that the sun and the moon, along with the other stars, will be deprived of their light for a time, just as it is known that the sun did during the Lord's Passion. For the moon at that time, being full, lay hidden under the earth. Hence that prophecy of Joel remains imperfect up to this day: after he said, "The sun will turn into darkness," he added, "And the moon into blood, before the great and manifest day of the Lord comes" (Joel II). And Isaiah, speaking of the day of judgment, said, "And the moon will be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of Hosts reigns in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before his elders is glorified" (Isaiah XXIV). However, after the day of judgment has passed and the glory of future life has shone, when there is a new heaven and a new earth, then what the same prophet says elsewhere will occur, "And the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, like the light of seven days."
Bede (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 735
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(ubi sup.) Some however refer this to the time of the Jewish captivity, where many, declaring themselves to be Christs, drew after them crowds of deluded persons; but during the siege of the city there was no Christian to whom the Divine exhortation, not to follow false teachers, could apply. Wherefore it is better to understand it of heretics, who, coming to oppose the Church, pretended to be Christs; the first of whom was Simon Magus, but that last one, greater than the rest, is Antichrist. It goes on: But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
(ubi sup.) For the stars in the day of judgment shall appear obscure, not by any lessening of their own light, but because of the brightness of the true light, that is, of the most high Judge coming upon them; although there is nothing to prevent its being taken to mean, that the sun and moon with all the other heavenly bodies then for a time are really to lose their light, just as we are told was the case with the sun at the time of our Lord's Passion. But after the day of judgment, when there shall be a new sky and a new earth, then shall happen what Isaiah says: Moreover, the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold. (Isa. 30:26) There follows, And the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
(ubi sup.) What wonder is it that men should be troubled at this judgment, the sight of which makes the very Angelic powers to tremble? What will the stories of the house do when the pillars shake? What does the shrub of the wilderness undergo, when the cedar of paradise is moved?
By the four winds, He means the four parts of the world, the east, the west, the north, and the south. And lest any one should think that the elect are to be gathered together only from the four edges of the world, and not from the midland regions as well as the borders, He has fitly added, From the uttermost part of earth, to the uttermost part of heaven, that is, from the extremities of the earth to its utmost bounds, where the circle of the heavens appears to those who look from afar to rest upon the boundaries of the earth. No one therefore shall be elect in that day who remains behind and does not meet the Lord in the air, when He comes to judgment. The reprobate also shall come to judgment, that when it is finished they may be scattered abroad and perish from before the face of God.
Theophylact of Ohrid (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 1107
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
After that the Lord had finished all that concerned Jerusalem, He now speaks of the coming of Antichrist, saying, Then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not. But when He says, then, think not that it means immediately after these things are fulfilled about Jerusalem; as Matthew also says after the birth of Christ, In those days came John the Baptist; (Matt. 3:1) does he mean immediately after the birth of Christ? No, but he speaks indefinitely and without precision. So also here, then may be taken to mean not when Jerusalem shall be made desolate, but about the time of the coming of Antichrist. It goes on: For false Christs and false prophets shall arise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. For many shall take upon them the name of Christ, so as to seduce even the faithful.
But after the coming of Antichrist, the frame of the world shall be altered and changed, for the stars shall be obscured on account of the abundance of the brightness of Christ. Wherefore it goes on: But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light; and the stars of heaven shall fall.
That is, the Angelic virtues shall be astonished, seeing that such great things are done, and that their fellow-servants are judged.
But they shall see the Lord as the Son of Man, that is, in the body, for that which is seen is body.
Observe that Christ sends the Angels as well as the Father; where then are they who say that He is not equal to the Father? For the Angels go forth to gather together the faithful, who are chosen, that they may be carried into the air to meet Jesus Christ. Wherefore it goes on: And gather together his elect from the four winds.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Mark 13:24 is a pivotal verse within Jesus's Olivet Discourse, delivering a profound prophetic statement about the cosmic events that will immediately follow a period of intense global tribulation. It foretells a dramatic darkening of the sun and the moon's failure to emit light, serving as unmistakable celestial signs that herald the imminent return of the Son of Man and the culmination of God's redemptive plan.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Mark 13:24 stands as a crucial transition point within Jesus's Olivet Discourse, a detailed prophetic sermon delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. The preceding verses Mark 13:1-23 describe a period of escalating global distress, false messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and intense persecution, culminating in the "abomination of desolation" and unparalleled tribulation. Verse 24 marks a shift from these earthly tribulations to cosmic disturbances, signaling that the end of that specific period of suffering will immediately precede the glorious return of Christ, as described in Mark 13:26-27. This verse thus serves as a clear chronological marker, emphasizing the direct succession of cosmic signs after the great tribulation.
Historical & Cultural Context: Jesus's audience, His disciples, were steeped in Old Testament prophetic tradition, which frequently employed vivid cosmic imagery to describe the "Day of the Lord" – a time of divine judgment and intervention. Prophets like Isaiah and Joel had foretold similar celestial phenomena accompanying God's decisive action in history. While parts of the Olivet Discourse found a partial fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the cosmic signs described in Mark 13:24 clearly transcend that historical event, pointing to a future, global, and supernatural culmination. The disciples would have understood these signs as portents of a divinely orchestrated, cataclysmic shift in the cosmic order, signifying the imminent establishment of God's kingdom.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Mark and broader biblical eschatology. Firstly, it highlights Cosmic Disturbances as definitive signs of the end times, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His power to alter its very fabric to fulfill His purposes. Secondly, the phrase "after that tribulation" underscores the theme of Eschatological Transition, marking a clear chronological sequence where the most intense period of human suffering directly precedes the dramatic unveiling of Christ's glory. This transition signals the imminent approach of the "Day of the Lord" and the glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Lastly, it reinforces the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Fulfillment of Prophecy, assuring believers that despite the chaos of tribulation, God remains in control, orchestrating events precisely according to His revealed word, leading to the ultimate triumph of His Son.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Mark 13:24 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Apocalyptic Language, which uses vivid, often dramatic, and sometimes symbolic imagery to describe future events, particularly those related to divine judgment and the end of the age. The darkening of the sun and the moon withholding its light are classic apocalyptic motifs found throughout prophetic literature, designed to evoke awe and a sense of impending cosmic change. Secondly, Parallelism is evident in the symmetrical description of the sun being darkened and the moon not giving its light. This structural repetition emphasizes the totality and simultaneous nature of the celestial disruption. While potentially literal, the imagery also functions as Symbolism, representing the collapse of the established world order, the cessation of human reliance on natural cycles, and the dramatic unveiling of God's direct intervention and the dawning of a new, divinely ordained era.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 13:24 is deeply rooted in the broader biblical narrative of eschatology, particularly the concept of the "Day of the Lord." This verse vividly portrays the cosmic signs that will accompany God's decisive intervention in human history, echoing Old Testament prophecies that depict celestial disturbances as precursors to divine judgment and the establishment of God's kingdom. The theological significance lies in its affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty over creation and history. These dramatic alterations to the fabric of the cosmos underscore that God is not merely an observer but the active orchestrator of all events, bringing His redemptive plan to its appointed climax. For believers, these signs are not meant to induce fear, but to serve as a confirmation of the certainty of Christ's promised return, urging vigilance, perseverance, and a confident hope in the ultimate triumph of God's purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 13:24 calls believers to a profound spiritual readiness and a reorientation of priorities in light of the certain future. The cosmic signs described are not mere abstract predictions but concrete assurances of Christ's imminent return, following a period of intense tribulation. This truth should inspire not fear, but a deeper trust in God's sovereign control over history and a renewed commitment to living purposefully for His kingdom. It encourages perseverance through present difficulties, knowing that suffering is temporary and precedes ultimate glory. Our focus should shift from earthly anxieties to eternal hope, motivating us to live lives marked by faithfulness, evangelism, and a watchful anticipation of our Lord's appearing. We are called to be vigilant, discerning the "signs of the times" not to predict dates, but to live with a sense of urgency and expectation, ready to meet Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Are the cosmic signs in Mark 13:24 literal or symbolic?
Answer: While apocalyptic literature often employs symbolic language, the context of Mark 13:24, particularly its parallel in Matthew 24:29 and similar Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Joel 2:31), suggests these cosmic disturbances are intended to be understood as literal, visible, and supernatural events. They are dramatic alterations to the natural order, serving as unmistakable signs to humanity that the "Day of the Lord" and the return of Christ are at hand. While they carry symbolic weight regarding the collapse of the old order, their primary force is in their literal manifestation as divine interventions.
When does "that tribulation" refer to in Mark 13:24?
Answer: "That tribulation" refers to a specific, unparalleled period of intense suffering and persecution that Jesus describes earlier in the Olivet Discourse (e.g., Mark 13:19). While some aspects of the Olivet Discourse had a partial fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the "great tribulation" mentioned here, followed by cosmic signs and the global return of Christ, points to a future, distinct, and universally experienced period of distress preceding the Second Coming. It is a time of unprecedented difficulty that will immediately precede the celestial phenomena and the glorious appearing of the Son of Man.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 13:24, with its dramatic portrayal of cosmic upheaval, ultimately finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the glorious return of Jesus Himself. These celestial disturbances are not random occurrences but divinely orchestrated heralds of the King of Kings. The darkening of the sun and the moon's failure to shine underscore the profound shift from the natural order to the supernatural reign of Christ, signaling that the light of the world, Jesus, is about to break through the darkness. This verse sets the stage for the triumphant arrival of the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory, as described just two verses later. It reminds us that the ultimate purpose of all prophecy, tribulation, and cosmic signs is to usher in the eternal reign of Christ, where He will gather His elect and establish His perfect kingdom on a new earth. The very heavens will declare His coming, testifying to His supreme authority as Lord over all creation and history, fulfilling the promise of His second advent.