King James Version

What Does Mark 13:8 Mean?

Mark 13:8 in the King James Version says “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and ...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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. sorrows: the word in the original, importeth; the pains of a woman in travail”

Mark 13:8 · KJV

Context

6

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

7

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

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. sorrows: the word in the original, importeth; the pains of a woman in travail

9

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

10

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom—escalating conflict beyond individual wars to regional/global upheaval. Earthquakes in divers places... famines and troubles—natural disasters accompanying human conflict. The Greek seismoi (σεισμοί, earthquakes) and limoi (λιμοί, famines) describe physical catastrophes. These are the beginnings of sorrows (Greek archai ōdinōn, ἀρχαὶ ὠδίνων)—literally 'birth pains begin.'

The birth pain metaphor (common in prophetic literature—Isaiah 13:8; Jeremiah 4:31) indicates suffering precedes new creation. Birth pains increase in frequency and intensity before delivery. Similarly, human history experiences intensifying upheaval before Christ's return and new heaven/earth (Revelation 21:1-5). But birth pains aren't the birth itself—they signal it approaches without specifying timing. The metaphor encourages perseverance: pain has purpose, leading to joy (John 16:21-22).

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Historical & Cultural Context

First century witnessed earthquakes (Pompeii AD 62, preceding Vesuvius AD 79; Laodicea AD 60), famines (Acts 11:28 records famine under Claudius ca. AD 46), widespread conflict (Roman civil wars, Judean revolt). Church fathers noted these fulfillments. Subsequent history records continuous earthquakes, famines, wars—Medieval famines, Black Death, colonial exploitation famines, twentieth-century genocides, ongoing hunger. Each era sees birth pains. Modern environmental concerns, nuclear threats, pandemics continue the pattern. Jesus' point isn't that these uniquely signal His return, but that fallen world continuously experiences such until He returns. Christians shouldn't be surprised or shaken by disasters—expect them as birth pains awaiting consummation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'birth pain' metaphor shape Christian response to natural disasters and global suffering—avoiding both despair and naive triumphalism?
  2. What distinguishes Jesus' 'beginning of sorrows' from the final end—and why does this distinction matter for Christian living?
  3. How should awareness that history experiences increasing 'birth pains' affect Christian hope and endurance?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ἐγερθήσεται1 of 22

“shall rise”

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

γὰρ2 of 22

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἔθνος3 of 22

“nation”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

ἐπὶ4 of 22

“against”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ἔθνος5 of 22

“nation”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

καὶ6 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

βασιλείαν7 of 22

“kingdom”

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ8 of 22

“against”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

βασιλείαν9 of 22

“kingdom”

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

καὶ10 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔσονται11 of 22

“there shall be”

G2071

will be

σεισμοὶ12 of 22

“earthquakes”

G4578

a commotion, i.e., (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake

κατὰ13 of 22

“in divers”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τόπους14 of 22

“places”

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

καὶ15 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔσονται16 of 22

“there shall be”

G2071

will be

λιμοὶ17 of 22

“famines”

G3042

a scarcity of food

καὶ18 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ταραχαί·19 of 22

“troubles”

G5016

disturbance, i.e., (of water) roiling, or (of a mob) sedition

ἀρχαὶ20 of 22

“are the beginnings”

G746

(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)

ὠδίνων21 of 22

“of sorrows”

G5604

a pang or throe, especially of childbirth

ταῦτα22 of 22

“these”

G5023

these things

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 13:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 13:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 24:8Psalms 48:6Isaiah 37:31 Thessalonians 5:3Haggai 2:22Jeremiah 50:43

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