Matthew 24:30-31
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The mournful reaction of "all the tribes of the earth" highlights that this grand appearance isn't just a sign for believers, but a profound, terrifying revelation for everyone, a cosmic reckoning driven by their rejection of the Son of Man. The text emphasizes their intense sorrow, not just sadness, but a deep, self-inflicted anguish, suggesting a realization of what they have lost or actively fought against.
Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is describing his return, building on the cosmic signs that signal its imminence. He moves from celestial disturbances to a definitive "sign" that will announce his arrival, causing universal mourning among the earth's tribes because they will witness his glorious, powerful descent on the clouds.
Jesus describes a sign appearing in heaven before His dramatic return. What is this sign, and why does it cause 'all the tribes of the earth' to mourn?
The "sign of the Son of Man" isn't just a random event; it's a clear indicator that Christ is returning. The commentaries suggest this "sign" can refer to a manifestation of divine power and judgment.
The mourning is a universal response to the undeniable arrival of divine justice.
Jesus' return is described with incredible imagery: "coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." What does this dramatic depiction reveal about His nature and His coming?
The phrase "coming on the clouds of heaven" is rich with meaning. It's not just a picturesque description; it's a profound statement about Christ's authority and divine nature.
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Understand the original words
sēmeion · Greek Noun
A miraculous manifestation or token that validates the presence or authority of Christ, serving as an undeniable confirmation of His return.
phylai tēs gēs · Greek Noun phrase
The totality of humanity; often used in scripture to refer to all nations or ethnic groups who will eventually stand before Christ.
doxa · Greek Noun
A manifestation of divine weight, splendor, majesty, and radiant holiness; the visible display of God’s supreme worth and sovereign character.
angelos · Greek Noun
Spiritual beings created by God to serve Him, act as His messengers, and execute His judgments and purposes in the world.
eklektos · Greek Adjective/Noun
A term describing God’s chosen people, selected by His sovereign grace for salvation and eternal purpose, both in the Old Testament (Israel) and the New Testament (the Church).
anemos · Greek Noun
Used frequently in apocalyptic literature to represent the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), signifying the gathering of people from every part of the inhabited world.
Jesus' words in Matthew 24 speak with a powerful dual meaning: they foretold the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in AD 70, and they also point to his ultimate, glorious return at the end of all ages. The 'sign' and the mourning of the tribes were vividly seen in the fall of Jerusalem, a dramatic precursor to his final, world-altering arrival.
c. 7 BC - 4 BC
Herod the Great's Reign and Death
Jesus' birth and early life occurred during the final years of Herod the Great's rule, a time of political tension and succession struggles in Judea.
AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection
Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, is crucified in Jerusalem, and is believed by his followers to have been resurrected.
AD 33 - c. 64
Early Church Growth and Spread
Following Jesus' ascension, his followers spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire, facing persecution but experiencing significant growth.
c. AD 62-66
Rising Tensions in Judea
Growing discontent and rebellion against Roman rule intensified in Judea, leading to increased Roman military presence and harsh crackdowns.
AD 66 - 70— this verse
The First Jewish-Roman War
A major revolt erupted in Judea against Roman occupation, marked by widespread conflict and destruction.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Roman legions under Titus besieged and utterly destroyed Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, a catastrophic event for the Jewish people.
This passage prophesies that the people will look on 'him whom they have pierced,' leading to widespread mourning, directly echoing the mourning described in Matthew 24:30.
Revelation 1:7This verse explicitly connects the coming of Jesus on the clouds with mourning for all the peoples of the earth, directly mirroring Matthew 24:30.
Daniel 7:13Matthew 24:30 clearly alludes to this prophecy of the 'Son of Man' coming with clouds and receiving dominion and glory, providing the Old Testament foundation for Jesus' imagery.
Luke 21:27This parallel passage in Luke describes the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory, reinforcing the visual and thematic elements present in Matthew's account.
vincentMatthew 24:30: "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."
Mourn (κόψονται).Stronger: beat their breasts in anguish
barnesMatthew 24:30: "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."
The sign of the Son of man - The "evidence" that he is coming to destroy the city of Jerusalem. It is not to be denied, however, that this description is applicable also to his coming at the day of judgment. The disciples had asked him Matthew 24:3 what should be the sign of his…
The mournful reaction of "all the tribes of the earth" highlights that this grand appearance isn't just a sign for believers, but a profound, terrifying revelation for everyone, a cosmic reckoning driven by their rejection of the Son of Man. The text emphasizes their intense sorrow, not just sadness, but a deep, self-inflicted anguish, suggesting a realization of what they have lost or actively fought against.
Jesus is describing his return, building on the cosmic signs that signal its imminence. He moves from celestial disturbances to a definitive "sign" that will announce his arrival, causing universal mourning among the earth's tribes because they will witness his glorious, powerful descent on the clouds.
Jesus is describing his return, building on the cosmic signs that signal its imminence. He moves from celestial disturbances to a definitive "sign" that will announce his arrival, causing universal mourning among the earth's tribes because they will witness his glorious, powerful descent on the clouds.
"Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud…" — The mournful reaction of "all the tribes of the earth" highlights that this grand appearance isn't just a sign for believers, but a profound, terrifying revelation for everyone, a cosmic reckoning dr…
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Last reviewed October 2026
