Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
24:30 the sign that the Son of Man is coming (literally the sign of the Son of Man): The sign is probably the Son of Man himself (see 12:38-42; 16:4). His coming expresses his vindication (see 26:64) and will bring deep mourning to those who experience God’s judgment. • All the peoples of the earth could be translated all the tribes of the land. The term used here is not the usual Greek term for Gentile nations (ethnoi), but a term used frequently of the tribes (phulai) of Israel (the land), suggesting that a national disaster in Israel might be in view (see 21:43; Zech 12:10-14). • the Son of Man coming on the clouds: See Dan 7:13. Many believe that this means a descent of the Son of Man from God’s presence to reside on earth as Judge and Deliverer—i.e., the second coming of Christ. Others have argued that this describes the Son of Man coming in judgment, but not necessarily the second coming of Christ (see Matt 10:23; 16:27; 19:28; 25:31; 26:64; 28:18).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
24:30 the sign that the Son of Man is coming (literally the sign of the Son of Man): The sign is probably the Son of Man himself (see 12:38-42; 16:4). His coming expresses his vindication (see 26:64) and will bring deep mourning to those who experience God’s judgment. • All the peoples of the earth could be translated all the tribes of the land. The term used here is not the usual Greek term for Gentile nations (ethnoi), but a term used frequently of the tribes (phulai) of Israel (the land), suggesting that a national disaster in Israel might be in view (see 21:43; Zech 12:10-14). • the Son of Man coming on the clouds: See Dan 7:13. Many believe that this means a descent of the Son of Man from God’s presence to reside on earth as Judge and Deliverer—i.e., the second coming of Christ. Others have argued that this describes the Son of Man coming in judgment, but not necessarily the second coming of Christ (see Matt 10:23; 16:27; 19:28; 25:31; 26:64; 28:18).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
and then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in the heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth smite the breast, and they shall see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of the heaven, with power and much glory;
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
και τοτε φανησεται το σημειον του υιου του ανθρωπου εν τω ουρανω και τοτε κοψονται πασαι αι φυλαι της γης και οψονται τον υιον του ανθρωπου ερχομενον επι των νεφελων του ουρανου μετα δυναμεως και δοξης πολλης
King James Version
ⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
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.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
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 on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
And then the sign of the Son of man will be seen in heaven: and then all the nations of the earth will have sorrow, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.