Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

MATTHEW 24:29KJV
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Matthew 24:29 (KJV)

What does Matthew 24:29 mean?

Matthew 24:29 describes a dramatic change in the natural world that will happen immediately after a period of great trouble: the sun will be darkened, the moon will not shine, stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. This verse uses vivid language to show that something world-changing will take place after a time of intense hardship.

In this passage, Jesus is speaking to His disciples on the Mount of Olives, answering their questions about the end times and the signs of His coming. The language He uses draws from Old Testament imagery, often used by prophets to describe times of judgment or major shifts in God's dealings with the world. The focus is on cosmic signs that signal a turning point after a period of tribulation.

The Greek behind Matthew 24:29

  • "Immediately" (εὐθέως, euthéōs): The Greek word here means something happening right away, with no delay. This emphasizes that these cosmic events follow directly after the tribulation, not at some vague future time.
  • "Tribulation" (θλῖψις, thlipsis): This word refers to intense pressure, distress, or suffering. It highlights that the events described come after a specific period of great hardship.
  • "The powers of the heavens" (δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν, dynameis tōn ouranōn): This phrase often refers to spiritual or cosmic forces, not just physical objects. The shaking of these "powers" suggests a disruption of the established order, not just a meteor shower or eclipse.

Why Matthew 24:29 matters

  • Matthew 24:29 clears up that these dramatic signs are not random but are closely tied to a specific period of tribulation, marking a clear sequence in Jesus' teaching about the end times.
  • The verse emphasizes the scale of the coming change, using cosmic language to show that what happens is not just local or political, but affects all of creation.
  • Understanding the Old Testament background and the Greek terms helps readers see that Jesus is echoing prophetic language about God's intervention in history, connecting His words to a larger biblical story.

Where else these words appear

“light” Greek G5338 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
  • Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

“darkened” Greek G4654 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
  • Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
  • Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

“moon” Greek G4582 · used in 9 verses

  • Mark 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
  • Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
  • Revelation 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

“shaken” Greek G4531 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
  • Luke 7:24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
  • Acts 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.