Matthew 24 21

Matthew 24:21 kjv

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Matthew 24:21 nkjv

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Matthew 24:21 niv

For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now?and never to be equaled again.

Matthew 24:21 esv

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.

Matthew 24:21 nlt

For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again.

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 21 Meaning

Matthew 24:21 describes a period of suffering and distress of unparalleled magnitude and intensity, which has not been equaled throughout all of human history and will never be surpassed in the future. It signifies a unique and final climax of worldwide trouble, unlike any trial or calamity known before or thereafter.

Matthew 24 21 Context

Matthew 24:21 is a pivotal part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, a major prophecy delivered on the Mount of Olives (Matt 24:3). The disciples had asked Jesus about the timing of the Temple's destruction and the signs of His coming and the end of the age. Jesus responds by outlining a series of escalating signs: false Christs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and especially the persecution of His followers (Matt 24:4-14). This specific verse, Matthew 24:21, is directly connected to the "abomination of desolation standing in the holy place" mentioned in Matthew 24:15, serving as the trigger or immediate preceding event for this unparalleled suffering. For the original Jewish audience, the "abomination of desolation" would evoke the desecration of the Temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (as recounted in the Apocrypha, e.g., 1 Maccabees), reminding them of a past period of severe persecution and defilement. Jesus' language here expands upon the Old Testament prophecies, especially Daniel's "time of trouble" (Dan 12:1), indicating a future event of much greater intensity than any past historical calamity, setting it apart as a unique and cosmic epoch of judgment.

Matthew 24 21 Word analysis

• For then (Greek: Tote gar):

  • Tote: "Then," marking a specific time or sequence. It points directly to the events described in the preceding verses, especially the "abomination of desolation" (v. 15), as the catalyst.
  • Gar: "For," introducing a causal explanation. The "great tribulation" is the direct consequence of those foretold signs and actions.

• there will be (Greek: estai):

  • Future indicative verb from eimi ("to be"). It indicates absolute certainty and inevitability. This event is not speculative but divinely decreed to happen.

• great tribulation (Greek: thlipsis megale):

  • Thlipsis: Often translated as "tribulation," "affliction," "distress," "anguish," "pressure," or "persecution." The word literally means to be pressed, squeezed, or crushed under a weight. It conveys severe distress, often with an emphasis on internal suffering or outward persecution endured.
  • Megale: "Great," "large," "intense," "severe," "of significant magnitude."
  • Significance: This specific phrase is crucial. It points to a unique period of severe trial, not just general hardship. It is echoed in Revelation as "the great tribulation" (he thlipsis he megale, Rev 7:14), marking it as a distinct eschatological period.

• such as has not been (Greek: hoiē ouk egenetō):

  • Hoiē: "Such as," "of which sort."
  • Ouk egenetō: "has not come into being," "has not happened." This is a strong negative statement.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the unprecedented nature of this event. It surpasses all previous human experience of suffering.

• since the beginning of the world (Greek: ap' archēs kosmou):

  • Ap' archēs: "From the beginning."
  • Kosmou: "Of the world," "of creation," "of the ordered universe."
  • Significance: This phrase expands the scope of the comparison beyond merely human history or specific nations, referring to the entire created order's existence. It stresses that no event from creation onwards will match its severity. This directly elevates Jesus' prophecy beyond even the horrific events like the Flood or the Exodus plagues in their universal and culminating nature.

• until this time (Greek: heōs tou nun):

  • Heōs: "Until," "up to."
  • Tou nun: "The now," "this present moment."
  • Significance: Reinforces the past perfect comparison – never has such a tribulation occurred up to the very moment Jesus is speaking about its future occurrence.

• no, nor ever shall be (Greek: oud' ou mē genētai):

  • Oud' ou mē: A powerful double negative in Greek, making the negation exceptionally strong and absolute. It means "absolutely never shall not be" or "never ever shall be."
  • Genētai: Subjunctive form of ginomai ("to come into being," "to happen").
  • Significance: This statement closes the door on any future event ever matching or surpassing this coming tribulation. It marks this event as the absolute pinnacle of human distress and suffering in all history – past, present, or future. This unique character strongly supports the interpretation of this as a singular eschatological event.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For then there will be great tribulation": This phrase signals a definite point in the future following specific signs, introducing a period of immense and unique distress ordained by God. The use of "great" (megale) emphasizes its unprecedented scale.
• "such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time": This expansive temporal reference highlights the unlikeliness and exceptional nature of the coming suffering. It immediately connects to the Danielic prophecy (Dan 12:1) but escalates its scope to encompass all of cosmic history, demonstrating its singularity.
• "no, nor ever shall be": This powerful double negative affirms the absolute finality and peak of this tribulation. No prior event in history (e.g., the Flood, Babylon exile, AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem) truly fulfills this phrase if it suggests later events could match or surpass it. Likewise, no future event beyond this ultimate tribulation will ever reach its intensity. It sets a cosmic and historical benchmark.

Matthew 24 21 Bonus section

The superlative language used by Jesus in Matthew 24:21 – "such as has not been since the beginning of the world... nor ever shall be" – strongly emphasizes the uniqueness and intensity of this "great tribulation." This makes it challenging to apply this verse solely to historical events like the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, as, while horrific, other periods of human suffering (e.g., the Holocaust, certain genocides) arguably exhibit comparable or greater demographic devastation, violating the "nor ever shall be" clause if interpreted solely physically.

This specific tribulation is often seen as distinct from the general tribulations (Acts 14:22) or persecutions that believers have endured throughout history. Those are common Christian experiences, but "the great tribulation" points to a definite, future, worldwide event of unparalleled divine judgment and cosmic upheaval. The brevity of this intense period is also alluded to in the very next verse (Matt 24:22), where Jesus states that "for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened," signifying God's mercy even amidst severe judgment, ensuring some human beings will survive it. This period will not merely be physical distress but will also involve intense spiritual conflict, deceit, and the testing of faith, as seen in Revelation. Its purpose includes revealing the true nature of evil, refining God's people, and executing God's final judgments on an unrepentant world.

Matthew 24 21 Commentary

Matthew 24:21 details an event of profound eschatological significance: a future "great tribulation" so severe it surpasses every instance of suffering the world has ever witnessed and will never be surpassed in intensity. This period, closely associated with the "abomination of desolation," is not merely a generalized era of hardship but a divinely ordained climax of unprecedented distress and persecution. It serves as a stark warning to watchfulness and perseverance for believers, knowing the unique suffering that awaits those upon whom God's judgment will fall. This time is marked by its global scope, the unprecedented level of anguish, and its definitive status as the pinnacle of historical woes. While various historical trials might bear resemblances, Jesus' absolute language dictates that "the great tribulation" stands apart as a singular, climactic, and unrepeatable event leading directly to His return.