Mark 13:25
And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀστέρες
the stars
G792
ἀστέρες
the stars
Strong's:
G792
Word #:
3 of 15
a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῖς
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῖς
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
5 of 15
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἐκπίπτοντες,
fall
G1601
ἐκπίπτοντες,
fall
Strong's:
G1601
Word #:
7 of 15
to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δυνάμεις
the powers
G1411
δυνάμεις
the powers
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
10 of 15
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern texts regularly used astronomical phenomena to describe political revolution. When Babylon fell to Persia (539 BC), contemporary texts described cosmic portents. Jesus's audience would understand this as covenant lawsuit language—God indicting unfaithful Israel through the prophet-like-Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) before executing judgment through Roman armies.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'powers' in your life seem unshakeable but will ultimately fall before Christ's authority?
- How does the cosmic scope of Christ's victory encourage you when facing spiritual opposition?
- Why is it significant that even heavenly powers tremble before the returning Son of Man?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken—The Greek asteres (ἀστέρες, stars) falling and dynameis (δυνάμεις, powers/authorities) being shaken continues the cosmic imagery. In Jewish cosmology, 'powers in heaven' could refer to angelic beings governing nations (Daniel 10:13, 20) or to the heavenly bodies themselves, which were sometimes associated with spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12).
Jesus builds on Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of Man receives eternal dominion. The shaking of celestial powers signifies the overthrow of all opposition to God's kingdom—both earthly and spiritual. Paul echoes this in Colossians 2:15, where Christ 'disarmed the rulers and authorities' (tas archas kai tas exousias). The verb saleuthēsontai (σαλευθήσονται, 'shall be shaken') appears in Hebrews 12:26-27, contrasting shakeable created things with the unshakeable kingdom believers receive.