Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Matthew 24:21

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

KJV

ἔσται γὰρ τότε θλῖψις μεγάλη οἵα οὐκ ἐγένετο ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς κόσμου ἕως τοῦ νῦν οὐδ’ οὐ μὴ γένηται.

Greek NT

erit enim tunc tribulatio magna, qualis non fuit ab initio mundi usque modo, neque fiet.

Vulgate

for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.

ASV

For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be.

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

16 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

γάρ
gar
conjunction · 1036×
γίνομαι
ginomai
verb · 667×
εἰμί
eimi
verb · 2461×
θλῖψις
thlipsis
noun · 45×
κόσμος
kosmos
noun · 184×
μέγας
megas
adjective · 244×
μή
me
particle · 1033×
νῦν
nun
adverb · 147×
οἷος
oios
relative_pronoun · 14×
οὐ
ou
particle · 1626×
οὐδέ
oude
conjunction · 137×
τότε
tote
adverb · 157×
ἀπό
apo
preposition · 640×
ἀρχή
arche
noun · 56×
ἕως
eos
adverb · 145×
ὁ
o
article · 19778×

Intertextual echoes

This verse quotes or alludes to 1 earlier text.

  • Dan 12:1 · allusion
    "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people sh…"
    Daniel: a time of trouble such as never was — Jesus on the tribulation

Prophecy

Historic Christian voices

11 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

Whosoever confesses that one God is the author of both Testaments, and diligently reads the Scriptures in company with the presbyters of the Church, is a true spiritual disciple; and he will rightly understand and interpret all that the prophets have declared respecting Christ and the liberty of the New Testament. 1. A spiritual disciple of this sort truly receiving the Spirit …
All things have been created for the service of man. The deceits, wickedness, and apostate power of Antichrist. This was prefigured at the deluge, as afterwards by the persecution of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 1. In the previous books I have set forth the causes for which God permitted these things to be made, and have pointed out that all such have been created for the b…
2. Then, after His reproach, what says He? There shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. Now is He striking the first note of the doctrine of His resurrection, and confirming it by the type. What then? One may say; was no sign given it? None was given to it on asking. For not to bring in them did He work His signs (for He knew them to be hardened), but …
Source. Translated by J. Walker, J. Sheppard and H. Browne, and revised by George B. Stevens. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 11. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210225.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Adven…
1. The best Physicians after they have made a deep incision, and have increased the pains by the wound, soothing the afflicted part, and giving rest and refreshment to the disturbed soul, proceed not to make a second incision, but rather soothe that which has been made with gentle remedies, and such as are suited to remove the violence of the pain. This Paul also did after he h…
Chapter 24.—Of the Meaning of the Sacrifice Abraham Was Commanded to Offer When He Supplicated to Be Taught About Those Things He Had Believed. In the same vision, God in speaking to him also says, “I am God that brought thee out 324 of the region of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.”910910 Gen. xv. 7. And when Abram asked whereby he might know that he should …
The Jewish War · 2 passages
THE KEY BOOK for the Olivet Discourse. Josephus describes Titus's siege of Jerusalem in AD 70 in extraordinary detail: the three walls of the city, the Temple complex (the most detailed ancient description of the Second Temple), the famine, the crucifixions outside the walls, the breaching of the outer walls. Every detail corresponds to Jesus's prophecy: "not one stone shall be…
The climactic book: the burning of the Second Temple on the 9th/10th of Ab, AD 70 — the same date (according to tradition) as the destruction of Solomon's Temple in 586 BC. Josephus describes portents and signs that preceded the destruction: a star resembling a sword stood over the city, a light shone around the altar, the eastern gate of the Temple opened of its own accord, ch…
1. It is fitting to add to these accounts the true prediction of our Saviour in which he foretold these very events. 2. His words are as follows: Woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day. For there shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the …
1. Taking, then, the work of this author, read what he records in the sixth book of his History. His words are as follows: Thus were the miserable people won over at this time by the impostors and false prophets; but they did not heed nor give credit to the visions and signs that foretold the approaching desolation. On the contrary, as if struck by lightning, and as if possessi…

Cross-references

  • 1Cor 10:13 — There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to esca
  • 1Thess 2:16 — Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
  • Dan 9:26 — And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be wi
  • Dan 12:1 — And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that s
  • Dan 12:1 — And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that s
  • Ezek 5:9 — And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations.
  • Heb 10:26 — For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
  • Isa 65:12 — Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did ch
  • Isa 66:15 — For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
  • Jer 30:7 — Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
  • Joel 1:2 — Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?
  • Joel 2:2 — A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be a
  • Lam 4:6 — For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.
  • Luke 19:43 — For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
  • Luke 21:24 — And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
  • Mal 4:1 — For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that i
  • Mark 13:19 — For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
  • Matt 24:29 — 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:
  • Ps 37:18 — The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
  • Rev 7:14 — And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
  • Rev 16:18 — And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
  • Zech 13:8 — And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
  • Zech 14:2 — For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the resid