Mark 13:27
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τότε
then
G5119
τότε
then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
2 of 21
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ἀποστελεῖ
shall he send
G649
ἀποστελεῖ
shall he send
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
3 of 21
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγγέλους
angels
G32
ἀγγέλους
angels
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
5 of 21
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ,
G846
αὐτοῦ,
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
12 of 21
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνέμων
winds
G417
ἀνέμων
winds
Strong's:
G417
Word #:
15 of 21
wind; (plural) by implication, (the four) quarters (of the earth)
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
16 of 21
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
γῆς
of the earth
G1093
γῆς
of the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
18 of 21
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ἕως
to
G2193
ἕως
to
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
19 of 21
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
Cross References
Zechariah 2:6Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.Matthew 24:31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.Deuteronomy 30:4If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:Mark 13:20And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.Matthew 13:41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;Luke 16:22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;2 Thessalonians 2:1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
Historical Context
The concept of 'gathering the elect' resonated with diaspora Jews longing for restoration. After AD 70, when temple worship ended and Jews scattered further, this promise took on new meaning for Jewish Christians. The early church saw the gospel mission (Acts 1:8, 'to the ends of the earth') as this prophesied gathering—not a political restoration to Palestine but incorporation into Messiah's worldwide kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does election ('the elect') emphasize God's gracious initiative rather than human achievement in salvation?
- What does the global scope of this gathering reveal about God's purposes transcending ethnic and geographic boundaries?
- In what ways is the church's evangelistic mission participating in this eschatological gathering Jesus describes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds—The Greek episynaxei tous eklektous autou (ἐπισυνάξει τοὺς ἐκλεκτοὺς αὐτοῦ, 'he will gather his elect') uses harvest imagery from Deuteronomy 30:4 and Zechariah 2:6. The angelous (ἀγγέλους, messengers/angels) could refer to heavenly beings or human messengers proclaiming the gospel (compare Matthew 24:31 with Romans 10:15).
From the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven employs merism—stating extremes to mean totality. God's elect are gathered from every corner of creation. The term eklektos (chosen/elect) emphasizes divine initiative in salvation, rooted in God's covenant faithfulness. This ingathering reverses the Babel dispersion (Genesis 11) and fulfills Isaiah's vision of exiles streaming back (Isaiah 11:11-12, 27:12-13). For Mark's audience facing persecution, this promised vindication and rescue.