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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Mark 13:26 - 13:26
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
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. 1Th 4:16; 2Th 1:7; 2Th 2:8; Rev 1:8; Rev 19:11-16; Zec 12:10. Mt. has “Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man.”
τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. The ref. to Dan 7:13 is clear, as also in Mar 14:62; see Driver, ad loc. pp. 102–109; Westcott on Joh 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 Mar 2:10), and to have made the application to Himself gradually more clear (see on Mar 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 (Isa 19:1; Psa 104:3); and they accompany “the destined Possessor of universal dominion” (Dalman, Words, pp. 242–9).