King James Version

What Does Matthew 24:29 Mean?

Matthew 24:29 in the King James Version says “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and th...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:”

Matthew 24:29 · King James Version


Context

27

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28

For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

29

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other . with: or, with a trumpet, and a great voice


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened—This cosmic upheaval language (thlipsis, θλῖψις = tribulation/pressure) draws directly from Isaiah 13:10, 34:4, Joel 2:10, 31, and echoes throughout Jewish apocalyptic. The sun (hēlios, ἥλιος), moon (selēnē, σελήνη), and stars (asteres, ἀστέρες) represent created authorities collapsing before the Creator's glory.

The powers of the heavens shall be shaken (dynameis, δυνάμεις)—not merely celestial bodies, but spiritual powers and earthly kingdoms. This is theophanic language: God's appearing disrupts all created order. Whether literal cosmological events or apocalyptic metaphor for political collapse, the meaning is clear—human power structures dissolve when the King arrives.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah and Joel used identical cosmic imagery to describe historical judgments on Babylon and locust plagues. First-century Jews would recognize this as covenant lawsuit language—God vindicating His people by overthrowing oppressors. The 'tribulation' likely references both the Roman destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70) and future tribulation before Christ's final return.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Old Testament apocalyptic language help you understand Jesus's prophecy without demanding wooden literalism?
  2. What 'powers of the heavens'—cultural authorities, institutions, ideologies—do you see being shaken in our time?
  3. How does the cosmic scope of Christ's return reshape your view of His sovereignty over all creation?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
Εὐθέως1 of 32
G2112

directly, i.e., at once or soon

δὲ2 of 32

“Immediately”

G1161

but, and, etc

μετὰ3 of 32

“after”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τὴν4 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θλῖψιν5 of 32

“the tribulation”

G2347

pressure (literally or figuratively)

τῶν6 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμερῶν7 of 32

“days”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐκείνων8 of 32

“of those”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

ὁ9 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἥλιος10 of 32

“shall the sun”

G2246

the sun; by implication, light

σκοτισθήσεται11 of 32

“be darkened”

G4654

to obscure (literally or figuratively)

καὶ12 of 32

“and”

G2532

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

ἡ13 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σελήνη14 of 32

“the moon”

G4582

the moon

οὐ15 of 32

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

δώσει16 of 32

“give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

τὸ17 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φέγγος18 of 32

“light”

G5338

brilliancy

αὐτῆς19 of 32
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ20 of 32

“and”

G2532

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

οἱ21 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀστέρες22 of 32

“the stars”

G792

a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively

πεσοῦνται23 of 32

“shall fall”

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

ἀπὸ24 of 32

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ25 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐρανῶν26 of 32

“heaven”

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

καὶ27 of 32

“and”

G2532

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

αἱ28 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δυνάμεις29 of 32

“the powers”

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

τῶν30 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐρανῶν31 of 32

“heaven”

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

σαλευθήσονται32 of 32

“shall be shaken”

G4531

to waver, i.e., agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 24:29 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 Matthew 24:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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