TRV
Translation
King James Version
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with tremendous power and glory.
Berean Standard Bible
At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
American Standard Version
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
World English Bible Messianic
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And then shall they see the Sonne of man comming in ye cloudes, with great power and glory.
Young's Literal Translation
`And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in clouds with much power and glory,
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 24,744 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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.
Copy as
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.
Augustine of Hippo (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 430
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(Epist. cxcix. 11.) For since it was said by the Angels to the Apostles, He shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven, (Acts 1:11) rightly do we believe that He will come not only in the same body, but on a cloud, since He is to come as He went away, and a cloud received Him as He was going.
(de Trin. i. 13) For the vision of the Son of Man is shown even to the bad, but the vision of the form of God to the pure in heart alone, for they shall see God. (Matt. 5:8) And because the wicked cannot see the Son of God, as He is in the form of God, equal to the Father, and at the same time both just and wicked are to see Him as Judge of the quick and dead, before Whom they shall be judged, it was necessary that the Son of Man should receive power to judge.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
ON THE PSALMS 96.13
In his last advent he will come in the clouds to judge the quick and the dead, just as he preached of clouds in his first voice which sounded forth in the gospel: "They will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory." What is "then"? Will not the Lord come again in later times, when all the peoples of the earth shall lament? He came first in preaching, and filled the whole wide world. Let us not resist his first coming, that we may not tremble at his second.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
LETTER 199, TO HESYCHIUS 41
This could be taken in two ways: one, that he will come in the church as in a cloud, as he continues to come now according to his word: “Hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” He comes with great power and majesty because his greater power and majesty will appear in the saints to whom he will give great power, so that they may not be overcome by such persecution. The other way in which he will come will be in his body in which he sits at the right hand of the Father, in which, also, he died and rose again and ascended into heaven.
Gregory the DialogistAD 604
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 1
"And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and majesty." As if it were openly said: They shall see in power and majesty Him whom, placed in humility, they refused to hear, so that they may then feel His power all the more strictly, inasmuch as now they do not bow the neck of their heart to His patience.
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.
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.
Copy as
Continue studying Mark 13:26 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Mark 13:26 serves as the climactic declaration within Jesus' Olivet Discourse, a profound prophecy concerning the end times. Following descriptions of severe tribulation and cosmic disturbances, this verse unequivocally foretells the visible, glorious, and powerful return of the "Son of Man." It paints a vivid picture of Christ's second advent, not as a humble servant, but as a sovereign King, universally recognized and demonstrating ultimate authority and divine majesty. This momentous event signifies the culmination of God's redemptive plan and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Mark 13:26 is rich with powerful literary devices that amplify its eschatological message. Symbolism is prominent, particularly in the phrase "Son of Man," which is a Messianic title rooted in Daniel 7:13, symbolizing both Jesus' humanity and His divine, sovereign authority as the appointed ruler of God's eternal kingdom. The "clouds" are also highly symbolic, representing divine presence, majesty, and often, the vehicle for God's appearances or judgments, thereby underscoring the supernatural and divine nature of Christ's return. The phrase "great power and glory" employs Hyperbole to emphasize the unparalleled magnitude and overwhelming nature of this event, suggesting a display of divine attributes far beyond human comprehension. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a powerful Foreshadowing, looking ahead to the ultimate culmination of history, the final judgment, and the establishment of God's eternal reign. The imagery used evokes a sense of awe and finality, preparing the reader for the irreversible and decisive nature of Christ's second advent.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 13:26 stands as a cornerstone of Christian eschatology, affirming the certainty of Christ's visible and glorious return. Theologically, it underscores the sovereign authority of Jesus as the Son of Man, who, having suffered and been raised, will return as the ultimate judge and king. This event is not merely an isolated happening but the culmination of God's redemptive plan, bringing about the final defeat of evil, the vindication of His elect, and the full establishment of His eternal kingdom. It serves as a powerful reminder that history is moving towards a divine climax, orchestrated by God Himself, providing both a warning for unbelievers and immense hope for believers.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vivid prophecy of Mark 13:26 offers profound implications for how believers are to live in the present age. The certainty of Christ's return in "great power and glory" should instill a deep sense of hope and assurance, knowing that all suffering, injustice, and evil will ultimately be overcome by His righteous reign. This hope is not passive; rather, it calls for active watchfulness and readiness. Understanding that the Lord will return publicly and powerfully should motivate us to live lives that honor Him, characterized by faithfulness, obedience, and a clear testimony to His truth. It challenges us to evaluate our priorities, ensuring that our lives reflect the values of His coming kingdom. Furthermore, it encourages perseverance in the face of tribulation, knowing that our ultimate vindication and reward await us in His glorious presence. This verse compels us to live with an eternal perspective, investing in what truly lasts and eagerly anticipating the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "Son of Man" mean in this context?
Answer: The title "Son of Man" is Jesus' most frequent self-designation in the Gospels, carrying profound theological weight. In Mark 13:26, it primarily refers to the figure described in Daniel 7:13-14, where "one like a son of man" comes with the clouds of heaven to receive everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom that will not be destroyed. Therefore, in this context, "Son of Man" emphasizes Jesus' divine authority, His role as the prophesied Messiah, and His future reign as the sovereign King and Judge, distinct from His humble first advent. It highlights both His humanity (as "son of man") and His divine, heavenly origin and destiny.
Why is Jesus described as "coming in the clouds"?
Answer: The imagery of "clouds" is highly significant in biblical literature, especially in the Old Testament, where it is consistently associated with the presence, majesty, and often the revelation or judgment of God. For example, God led Israel in a pillar of cloud (Exodus 13:21), and His glory appeared in a cloud over the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35). In the New Testament, Jesus ascended into a cloud (Acts 1:9), and angels promised His return "in the same way" (Acts 1:11). Therefore, "coming in the clouds" signifies a supernatural, divine, and public appearance, emphasizing His heavenly origin, His divine authority, and the visible manifestation of His glory, setting His return apart as a truly cataclysmic and universal event.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 13:26, with its declaration of the Son of Man coming in power and glory, stands as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the ultimate vindication of Jesus' identity. While His first advent was marked by humility, suffering, and a servant's form, as described in Philippians 2:6-8, His second coming will be a glorious reversal, revealing the full extent of His divine majesty. This verse directly echoes the prophetic vision of Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of Man receives an everlasting dominion. Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection were the necessary prelude to this glorious return; by His death, He conquered sin and death, and by His resurrection, He was enthroned at the right hand of God, as affirmed in Romans 8:34. Mark 13:26 then points to the consummation of His redemptive work, when He will return not as a lamb led to slaughter, but as the triumphant Lion of Judah, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-16). His coming in power and glory will establish His eternal kingdom, bringing final judgment upon evil and ushering in a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells, fulfilling the ultimate hope of all creation.