Devine Scripture

Mark 13:19

What does Mark 13:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 13:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 13:19 means

Jesus described the magnitude of the coming period as unparalleled: "For those days shall be tribulation, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never shall be." This hyperbolic language emphasizes that this specific tribulation would surpass any previous suffering in human history and would never be equaled again. It refers to the Great Tribulation, a unique and intensely severe period of judgment and distress that immediately precedes the return of Christ, underscoring its profound significance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For those days shall be tribulation, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never shall be.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For those days shall be tribulation, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never shall be.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For in those days there will be sorrow, such as there has not been from the time when God made the world till now, and will not ever be again.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for those days shall be tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the creation that God created, till now, and may not be;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For in those days shall be such tribulations as were not from the beginning of the creation which God created until now: neither shall be.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for those days shall be distress such as there has not been the like since [the] beginning of creation whichGod created, until now, and never shall be;

Context

This verse gives the overarching characterization of the period following the "abomination of desolation" (v. 14) and the ensuing flight (vv. 15-18). It vividly describes the unparalleled intensity and severity of this "tribulation" and establishes its unique place in history. This profound declaration sets the stage for the crucial truth in the next verse, explaining why this period, though severe, will not utterly destroy all life.

v.18And pray ye that it be not in the winter.

v.19This passage

v.20And except the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom he chose, he shortened the days.

Cross references

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

  • Lamentations 1:12

    Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is brought upon me, Wherewith Jehovah hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 4:32

    For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and from the one end of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?

  • Deuteronomy 28:59

    then Jehovah will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.

  • Daniel 9:12

    And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil; for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

  • Isaiah 65:12

    I will destine you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter; because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but ye did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not.

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