Mark 13:26

Mark 13:26

In Mark 13, Jesus responds to His disciples’ questions about the signs of the end and His coming. Verse 26 paints a vivid, certifying image: “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” The phrase “Son of man” is Jesus’ favorite self-designation, rooted in Daniel 7’s vision of a divine-human figure who receives authority from the Ancient of Days. The imagery of coming in the clouds echoes prophetic expectations of divine visitation and judgment; clouds often signify God’s presence (e.g., Exodus, Sinai), and “great power and glory” signals a reversal of weakness into sovereign显示. For first-century readers, this would provoke both awe and urgency: a king returning, not a mere mortal, in a visible, unmistakable act.

Historically and culturally, the audience lived under Roman rule and awaited God’s intervention in history. Jesus isn’t describing distant, abstract theology; He’s insisting that His return will be public, undeniable, and transformative. The reference to the Son of Man returning in glory reassures believers that the divine messianic plan will unfold openly—no hidden timetable, no subterfuge. This is less about speculative timelines and more about expectation, integrity, and readiness for Jesus’ ultimate consummation of all things.

This verse anchors the second coming in unmistakable visibility and authority. It confirms Jesus’ divine identity as the Son of Man and the fulfillment of Daniel’s vision of divine kingship. The “great power and glory” underscores eschatological victory: not a covert arrival but a public, decisive return. The angelic intervention implied by “they shall see” also aligns with later apocalyptic expectations of judgment and renewal. Theologically, it reinforces the hope that history is moving toward a divinely appointed culmination, where Jesus reigns w/ righteousness. It counters fatalism by assuring believers that God is actively engaged in human history, not distant or withdrawn.

For today, this verse invites practiced expectant faith. Believers are called to live with the anticipation that Jesus will return in a decisive, public way. That means integrity in daily life—living in a way that reflects the reality of God’s coming kingdom. It also calls us to align power and glory with service: the Son of Man comes in glory, not to crush, but to redeem and restore. Practically, this can translate into: pursuing justice, showing grace under pressure, and investing time in others rather than only in personal comfort. Churches can reflect this hopeful readiness by worship that elevates God’s glory, ministries that serve the vulnerable, and teaching that steadies believers against fear in volatile times. Keep a “watchful” posture—regular prayer, Scripture, and communal accountability—so when Jesus returns, we’re found faithful, not asleep.

Cross-References: Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:64; Luke 21:27-28; Revelation 1:7