Matthew 24 7

Matthew 24:7 kjv

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

Matthew 24:7 nkjv

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

Matthew 24:7 niv

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Matthew 24:7 esv

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Matthew 24:7 nlt

Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 7 Meaning

Matthew 24:7 is a profound prophetic statement by Jesus within the Olivet Discourse, describing significant signs of the unfolding "birth pains" (Mt 24:8) leading up to His second coming and the consummation of the age. It foretells a period marked by escalating global conflict—nations rising against one another, kingdoms engaging in war—accompanied by widespread natural calamities such as famines and earthquakes occurring across numerous locations. These events are not presented as the end in themselves, but rather as preparatory indicators of growing distress, signaling the approach of more intensive eschatological events and the ultimate return of Christ.

Matthew 24 7 Context

Matthew 24:7 is an integral part of the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), delivered by Jesus to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. This discourse responds directly to three questions posed by the disciples (Mt 24:3) following Jesus' prediction of the Temple's destruction: "When will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus first addresses the destruction of Jerusalem (prophecies partially fulfilled in A.D. 70) and then provides signs concerning the broader end times, culminating in His second coming. Verse 7 specifically describes the general turmoil and distress that will characterize the period leading up to the end. It's crucial to understand these signs—wars, famines, earthquakes—as recurring and escalating global phenomena, not single, definitive events. They are precursors, often termed "birth pains" in the following verse (Mt 24:8), meaning they will increase in frequency and intensity, mirroring the escalating pains of childbirth, signifying the approaching culmination of the age and Christ's glorious return, yet not being the final end itself.

Matthew 24 7 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): Connects this verse to the preceding declaration in Mt 24:6, emphasizing that these signs are part of a divinely orchestrated sequence, serving as the reasons why the end is not yet.
• nation (ἔθνος - ethnos): Refers to distinct people groups, ethnic groups, or races. This word often has a broader connotation than merely political states. It implies conflicts stemming from racial, cultural, or religious differences.
• will rise against (ἐγερθήσεται ἐπὶ - egertēsetai epi): Future passive tense of "to rise." It signifies an uprising, an active movement into hostility. "Against" (ἐπὶ) indicates confrontation and opposition.
• nation (ἔθνος - ethnos): Repetition highlights widespread, general conflict between various peoples globally.
• and kingdom (καὶ βασιλεία - kai basileia): Refers to established political states or empires, distinct governmental entities. This phrase indicates large-scale, international conflicts involving national governments.
• against (ἐπὶ - epi): Again, denoting direct opposition and war.
• kingdom (βασιλεία - basileia): Emphasizes wars between sovereign powers. The shift from "nation" to "kingdom" implies both civil strife (ethnos vs. ethnos within boundaries) and inter-state warfare (basileia vs. basileia).
• and there will be (καὶ ἔσονται - kai esontai): Signifies that these events are future occurrences, an ongoing state of affairs, not isolated incidents.
• famines (λιμοί - limoi): Plural form, indicating widespread occurrences of severe food scarcity. This reflects economic distress and agricultural failure.
• and earthquakes (καὶ σεισμοί - kai seismoi): Plural form, indicating multiple seismic activities. These are natural disasters reflecting geological instability.
• in various places (κατὰ τόπους - kata topous): Literally "according to places" or "place by place." It indicates a broad distribution, meaning these phenomena will not be isolated to one region but will occur in many different parts of the world simultaneously or progressively.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom": This phrase portrays an escalation of global conflict. It begins with "ethnos" (ethnic/racial conflicts, civil wars) and moves to "basileia" (wars between established states/empires), indicating widespread political and societal instability on both internal and international scales. This represents a period of unprecedented global unrest, beyond isolated historical conflicts.
• "and there will be famines and earthquakes": These refer to natural and socio-economic disasters. Famines indicate food scarcity, often leading to widespread suffering and social unrest. Earthquakes signify major geological disturbances. Together, they depict severe distress caused by both human factors (war's impact on resources) and natural phenomena, exacerbating human suffering.
• "in various places": This specifies the widespread geographical scope of these signs. They will not be confined to a single area or nation but will manifest across the globe, indicating a universal impact of these "birth pains." This emphasizes the growing global intensity and reach of these troubles.

Matthew 24 7 Bonus section

These signs are to be understood collectively and progressively, not as discrete, singular events that will abruptly trigger the end. They speak to a heightened spiritual climate characterized by increased distress. Historically, there have always been wars, famines, and earthquakes, but the biblical prophecy emphasizes their escalating scale, global reach, and combined intensity as symptomatic of the approaching "end of the age." They do not imply a cessation of such events after A.D. 70; rather, they serve as ongoing signs throughout the church age that will particularly intensify as the "labor" progresses toward the return of Christ. These signs primarily serve as warnings for believers to be spiritually prepared and alert, rather than allowing them to cause panic. They remind the church of its mission in a world growing increasingly tumultuous, prior to the final display of God's power and Christ's visible return.

Matthew 24 7 Commentary

Matthew 24:7, interpreted within the broader Olivet Discourse, underscores that global turmoil, expressed as wars, famines, and earthquakes, will become increasingly prevalent and intense as the time of the end draws near. These are not merely general woes that have always existed, but rather "birth pains" (Mt 24:8), indicating their rising frequency and severity, signaling the progressive nearness of the Lord's return, akin to the intensifying contractions of labor. While these phenomena have always occurred in human history, their particular characteristics, especially their widespread and converging nature, mark them as indicators of the pre-consummation era. This verse does not specify when the end is, but it provides descriptive indicators for the discerning. Believers are called to discern the times, remain vigilant, and trust in God's sovereignty amid escalating global distress, recognizing that these are merely preliminary signs before the full outworking of God's prophetic calendar. They prompt us not to fear or despair, but to be prepared and watchful for the true coming of the Christ.