Mark 13:19
For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 24
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραι
days
G2250
ἡμέραι
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
4 of 24
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ἐκεῖναι
in those
G1565
ἐκεῖναι
in those
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
5 of 24
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
οἵα
as
G3634
οἵα
as
Strong's:
G3634
Word #:
7 of 24
such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverbially) with negative, not so
γένηται
shall be
G1096
γένηται
shall be
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
9 of 24
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τοιαύτη
such
G5108
τοιαύτη
such
Strong's:
G5108
Word #:
10 of 24
truly this, i.e., of this sort (to denote character or individuality)
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
11 of 24
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἀρχῆς
the beginning
G746
ἀρχῆς
the beginning
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
12 of 24
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
κτίσεως
of the creation
G2937
κτίσεως
of the creation
Strong's:
G2937
Word #:
13 of 24
original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively)
ἣς
which
G3739
ἣς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
14 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
17 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἕως
unto
G2193
ἕως
unto
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
18 of 24
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νῦν
this time
G3568
νῦν
this time
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
20 of 24
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
καὶ
neither
G2532
καὶ
neither
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Daniel 12:1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.Joel 2:2A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.Matthew 24:21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.Daniel 9:26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.Mark 10:6But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.Daniel 9:12And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
Historical Context
Josephus' 'Wars of the Jews' details Jerusalem's destruction (AD 66-70). Roman siege lasted five months. Factional violence within city killed thousands before Romans entered. Starvation drove cannibalism. Josephus estimated 1.1 million deaths, 97,000 enslaved. Titus razed temple, burned city. Survivors scattered. Jewish state ended until 1948. By any measure, catastrophic judgment. Yet world history includes comparable horrors: Black Death (25 million), Mongol invasions (40 million), World Wars (60+ million), Holocaust (6 million Jews). Does this contradict Jesus' 'such as never was'? Options:
- hyperbole emphasizing severity
- focus on Jewish people specifically
- primary fulfillment future during final tribulation.
Futurist eschatology anticipates worse suffering before Christ's return.
Questions for Reflection
- How can Jesus describe AD 70 as 'such as was not... neither shall be' when history includes comparable catastrophes?
- Does this prophecy have dual fulfillment—near (AD 70) and far (future tribulation)—or single fulfillment, and why does it matter?
- How should awareness of unprecedented suffering (past or future) affect Christian living—does it produce fear or faithful endurance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be—the Greek thlipsis (θλῖψις, 'affliction/tribulation') describes intense pressure, distress. Jesus claimed this tribulation would be unparalleled in all history—hoia ou gegonen toiautē (οἵα οὐ γέγονεν τοιαύτη, 'such as has not occurred'). This echoes Daniel 12:1—'time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.'
Partial fulfillment occurred AD 70: Josephus recorded 1.1 million Jews killed, 97,000 enslaved, cannibalism, factional violence, temple destruction. Yet hyperbolic language ('such as never was') may point beyond AD 70 to final tribulation (Matthew 24:21 adds 'no, nor ever shall be,' suggesting ultimate fulfillment remains future). Prophetic texts often have dual reference—near historical fulfillment prefiguring far eschatological fulfillment. Christians debate whether 'great tribulation' is past (preterist view) or future (futurist view). Either way, Jesus warned of unprecedented suffering connected to His prophecy.