For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

MATTHEW 24:7KJV
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Matthew 24:7 (KJV)

What does Matthew 24:7 mean?

Matthew 24:7 records Jesus saying that conflict between peoples and kingdoms will be accompanied by famine, disease, and earthquakes in various places. Jesus presents these events as part of the troubles that will unfold after his disciples ask about the future.

The picture is larger than a single battle or disaster. Following his mention of wars and reports of wars in verse 6, Jesus describes both human conflict and widespread hardship.

The Greek behind Matthew 24:7

  • “nation” — ἔθνος (ethnos): The Greek can mean a people or a group of people. Here it points to conflict between peoples, alongside the conflict between kingdoms.
  • “pestilences” — λοιμός (loimos): The word refers to a widespread outbreak of disease. The KJV places disease alongside food shortages and earthquakes among the hardships Jesus names.

Why Matthew 24:7 matters

  • These events are part of a larger sequence in Jesus’ answer. After naming them, Jesus calls them “the beginning of sorrows” in verse 8, placing them at the start of the troubles he describes.
  • The verse does not identify one place where all these events must happen. The KJV says they will occur “in divers places,” meaning various places.
  • Conflict and disaster are not presented as proof that the end has already arrived. In verse 6, Jesus tells his disciples that such things must happen, “but the end is not yet.”

Where else these words appear

“pestilences” Greek G3061 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
  • Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

“famines” Greek G3042 · used in 12 verses

  • Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
  • Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
  • Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

“earthquakes” Greek G4578 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
  • Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
  • Revelation 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

“places” Greek G5117 · used in 88 verses

  • Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
  • Luke 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
  • Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.