Matthew 24:30
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 37
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 37
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
φανήσεται
shall appear
G5316
φανήσεται
shall appear
Strong's:
G5316
Word #:
3 of 37
to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σημεῖον
the sign
G4592
σημεῖον
the sign
Strong's:
G4592
Word #:
5 of 37
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
of the Son
G5207
υἱὸν
of the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
7 of 37
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
12 of 37
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 37
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 #:
14 of 37
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
of the earth
G1093
γῆς
of the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
20 of 37
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὄψονται
they shall see
G3700
ὄψονται
they shall see
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
22 of 37
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
of the Son
G5207
υἱὸν
of the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
24 of 37
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρχόμενον
coming
G2064
ἐρχόμενον
coming
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
27 of 37
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
28 of 37
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νεφελῶν
the clouds
G3507
νεφελῶν
the clouds
Strong's:
G3507
Word #:
30 of 37
properly, cloudiness, i.e., (concretely) a cloud
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
32 of 37
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
33 of 37
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
δυνάμεως
power
G1411
δυνάμεως
power
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
34 of 37
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
35 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Revelation 1:7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.Daniel 7:13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.Matthew 26:64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.Acts 1:11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.Luke 21:27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.Zechariah 12:10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.Matthew 24:3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?Mark 13:26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.2 Thessalonians 1:7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,Luke 22:69Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
Historical Context
This contrasts with Jesus' first coming in humility. His second coming will be unmistakable—visible, glorious, powerful. The mourning tribes recall Zechariah 12:10 about Israel recognizing their pierced Messiah. Every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7)—no secret rapture but public, global manifestation. This is the blessed hope.
Questions for Reflection
- How does anticipating Christ's glorious return affect your daily priorities?
- What does 'all tribes mourning' teach about final judgment and universal accountability?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The cosmic sign 'then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory' describes Christ's visible, glorious return. 'Sign of the Son of man' (possibly the cross or Shekinah glory) announces His coming. 'All tribes... mourn' indicates universal recognition—both mourning of the lost (judgment) and godly grief (repentance). 'Coming in clouds' echoes Daniel 7:13, identifying Jesus as the divine Son of man receiving kingdom authority.