Mark 13:25

What does Mark 13:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 13:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 13:25 means

Continuing to describe the cosmic signs leading to His return, Jesus stated that "the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken." This vivid apocalyptic imagery signifies a total upheaval of the celestial realm, going beyond mere lunar and solar darkening. It points to a profound disturbance in the spiritual and physical cosmos, signaling the collapse of temporal order and the impending manifestation of God's ultimate power. These signs serve as an unmistakable herald for the imminent appearance of Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers which are in the heavens will be moved.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the stars of the heaven shall be falling, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the stars of heaven shall be falling down and the powers that are in heaven shall be moved.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and the stars of heaven shall be falling down, and the powers which are in the heavens shall be shaken;

Context

Building upon the cosmic disturbances in verse 24, this verse further elaborates on the celestial chaos that will precede Christ's return. The falling stars and shaking heavenly powers intensify the imagery of an ending age and a new divine intervention. This escalation of cosmic signs perfectly sets the stage for the climactic event of the entire discourse: the visible and glorious return of the Son of Man, which is described in the subsequent verse.

v.24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

v.25This passage

v.26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 6:13

    and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind.

  • Isaiah 34:4

    And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll; and all their host shall fade away, as the leaf fadeth from off the vine, and as a fading leaf from the fig-tree.

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