The Return of Christ

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, (A)the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25 (B)and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see (C)the Son of Man (D)coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send forth the angels, and (E)will gather together His [a]elect from the four winds, (F)from the end of the earth to the end of heaven.

28 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: as soon as its branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you too, when you see these things happening, [b]recognize that [c]He is near, right at the [d]door. 30 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32 (G)But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

33 “Watch out, (H)stay alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is. 34 (I)It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and [e]putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert. 35 Therefore, (J)stay alert—for you do not know when the [f]master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or (K)when the rooster crows, or (L)in the morning— 36 so that he does not come suddenly and find you (M)asleep. 37 What I say to you I say to all: ‘(N)Stay alert!’”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 13:27 Or chosen ones
  2. Mark 13:29 Or know
  3. Mark 13:29 Or it
  4. Mark 13:29 Lit doors
  5. Mark 13:34 Lit giving the authority to
  6. Mark 13:35 Or lord

24 “But in those days, following that distress,

“‘the sun will be darkened,
    and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
    and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[a](A)

26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds(B) with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.(C)

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it[b] is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation(D) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.(E) 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(F)

The Day and Hour Unknown

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.(G) 33 Be on guard! Be alert[c]!(H) You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants(I) in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”(J)

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 13:25 Isaiah 13:10; 34:4
  2. Mark 13:29 Or he
  3. Mark 13:33 Some manuscripts alert and pray