Mark 13:24
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
But
G235
ἀλλ'
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἐκείνην
that
G1565
ἐκείνην
that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
3 of 20
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραις
days
G2250
ἡμέραις
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
5 of 20
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
μετὰ
after
G3326
μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκείνην
that
G1565
ἐκείνην
that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
9 of 20
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σκοτισθήσεται
shall be darkened
G4654
σκοτισθήσεται
shall be darkened
Strong's:
G4654
Word #:
12 of 20
to obscure (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δώσει
give
G1325
δώσει
give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
17 of 20
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
Cross References
Isaiah 13:10For 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.2 Peter 3:10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.Amos 5:20Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?
Historical Context
Mark wrote circa AD 65-70, just before or during the Roman siege of Jerusalem. His Jewish-Christian audience would immediately recognize these images from Isaiah, Joel, and Ezekiel—prophets who used cosmic language to describe historical judgments. First-century apocalyptic expectation was intense; the Qumran community (Dead Sea Scrolls) anticipated similar upheavals accompanying God's intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing apocalyptic language as symbolic political imagery affect your interpretation of end-times prophecy?
- What does the dual fulfillment pattern (AD 70 and final judgment) teach about how God works in history?
- In what ways do current political upheavals remind you that human kingdoms are temporary before Christ's eternal reign?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light—Jesus quotes Isaiah 13:10 and Joel 2:31, employing apocalyptic imagery (Greek: apokalypsis, unveiling) to describe cosmic upheaval. The phrase meta tēn thlipsin ekeinēn (μετὰ τὴν θλῖψιν ἐκείνην, 'after that tribulation') links this cosmic shaking to the judgment on Jerusalem described in verses 14-23. In Jewish apocalyptic literature, celestial disturbances symbolize the collapse of political powers—the 'sun' often represented ruling authority, the 'moon' subordinate powers.
While some interpreters see purely symbolic language for AD 70's destruction, others recognize a dual fulfillment: the Roman siege prefiguring Christ's final parousia (παρουσία, coming/presence). The darkening of luminaries echoes Exodus 10:21-23, where God's judgment on Egypt brought darkness—now cosmic darkness precedes the Son of Man's appearing in glory (v. 26).