Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Mark 13:26

καὶ τότε. “Then, and not till then.” Mt. has “on the clouds” (ἐπί); with that exception, all three have the same wording.

ὄψονται. Not, “ye shall see.” This is another intimation that those whom He is addressing will not live to see the Second Advent. Cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 19:11-16; Zechariah 12:10. Mt. has “Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man.”

τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ�. The ref. to Daniel 7:13 is clear, as also in Mark 14:62; see Driver, ad loc. pp. 102–109; Westcott on John 1:14, pp. 71–74. Early in the Ministry Christ seems to have begun to use the title “Son of Man” of Himself (see on Mark 2:10), and to have made the application to Himself gradually more clear (see on Mark 8:31). But here for the first time He is said to have definitely connected it with the famous prophecy in Daniel.

ἐν νεφέλαις. Mt. has “on the clouds of heaven” (bis), Lk. “in a cloud,” Dan. “with the clouds of heaven,” Rev. “with the clouds.” We must not insist on a literal interpretation of these words; the clouds may be part of the symbolism. It is God who moves the clouds (Isaiah 19:1; Psalms 104:3); and they accompany “the destined Possessor of universal dominion” (Dalman, Words, pp. 242–9).

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Mark 13:26

Old Testament

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