Devine Scripture

Matthew 24:21

What does Matthew 24:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 24:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 24:21 means

Jesus describes the tribulation as an unparalleled period of suffering: "for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be." This declaration emphasizes the extreme, unprecedented, and universal nature of this coming distress. It is a unique time in human history, surpassing all prior calamities and serving as the worst tribulation imaginable. This hyperbole underscores the gravity of the events Jesus is describing, confirming the necessity of the earlier warnings and urgent flight.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because in those days there will be great sorrow, such as there has not been from the start of the world till now, or ever will be.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for there shall be then great tribulation, such as was not from the beginning of the world till now, no, nor may be.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for then shall there be great tribulation, such as has not been from [the] beginning of [the] world until now, nor ever shall be;

Context

This defining verse immediately and profoundly establishes the severity of the tribulation mentioned in preceding verses. It climaxes the section on flight and suffering, articulating the unparalleled nature of this period, and thus setting the stage for the explanation of how these days will be shortened for the sake of the elect.

v.20And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath:

v.21This passage

v.22And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 13:9

    But take ye heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in synagogues shall ye be beaten; and before governors and kings shall ye stand for my sake, for a testimony unto them.

  • Joel 2:2

    a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations.

  • Isaiah 66:15

    For, behold, Jehovah will come with fire, and his chariots shall be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

  • Hebrews 10:26

    For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,

  • Psalms 69:22

    Let their table before them become a snare; And when they are in peace, let it become a trap.

  • Zechariah 11:8

    And I cut off the three shepherds in one month; for my soul was weary of them, and their soul also loathed me.

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