MARK 13:8 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines.[fn] These things are the beginning of birth pains.

Instead of famines, some manuscripts read famines and troubles.

UST Further, groups of people will attack each other. Earthquakes will happen in many places. Many people will not have enough food to eat. Those events are like the first pains a pregnant woman feels when she is going to have a child. They are bad, but many more bad things will still happen after them.

BLB For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

AICNT “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of birth pains.

OEB For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This will be but the beginning of the birth-pangs.

WEBBE For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines. These are but the beginning of birth pains.

LSV for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles; these [are the] beginning of travails.

FBV Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines too. These are the beginnings of the world's birth pains.

TCNT For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, along with famines [fn]and riots. These are the beginning of the labor pains.

13:8 and riots 96% ¦ — CT 0.5%

T4T Groups who live in various countries will fight each other, and various governments will fight each other. There will also be big earthquakes in various places; and there will be famines. Yet, when these things happen, people will have only just begun to suffer. The first things that they suffer will be like the first pains a woman suffers who is about to bear a child. They will suffer much more after that.

LEB For nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines. These things are the beginning of birth pains.

BBE Nation will go to war with nation, and kingdom with kingdom: there will be earth-shocks in different places; there will be times when there is no food; these things are the first of the troubles.

Moff For nation will rise against nation, and realm against realm; there will be earthquakes here and there, and famines too. All that is but the beginning of the trouble.

Wymth For nation will rise in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These miseries are but like the early pains of childbirth.

ASV For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there shall be earthquakes in divers places; there shall be famines: these things are the beginning of travail.

DRA For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and famines. These things are the beginning of sorrows.

YLT for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles; beginnings of sorrows [are] these.

Drby For nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be earthquakes in [different] places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these things [are the] beginnings of throes.

RV For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: there shall be earthquakes in divers places; there shall be famines: these things are the beginning of travail.
(For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: there shall be earthquakes in diverse/various places; there shall be famines: these things are the beginning of travail. )

SLT For nation shall be raised against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in places, and there shall be famines, and commotions: these the beginnings of anguish.

Wbstr For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there will be earthquakes in divers places, and there will be famines, and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

KJB-1769 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
( For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in diverse/various places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. )

KJB-1611 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdome against kingdome: and there shalbe earthquakes in diuers places, and there shall be famines, and troubles: these are the beginnings of [fn]sorrowes.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

13:8 The word in the originall, importeth, the paines of a woman in trauaile.

Bshps For there shall nation aryse agaynst nation, and kyngdome agaynst kyngdome: And there shalbe earthquakes in diuers places, and famine shall there be, and troubles. These are the begynnyng of sorowes.
(For there shall nation arise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And there shall be earthquakes in diverse/various places, and famine shall there be, and troubles. These are the beginning of sorrows.)

Gnva For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdome against kingdome, and there shalbe earthquakes in diuers quarters, and there shalbe famine and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorowes.
(For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in diverse/various quarters, and there shall be famine and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. )

Cvdl One people shal ryse ageynst another, and one realme ageynst another, and there shal be earth quakes here and there, and derth shal there be and troubles. These are the begynnynge of sorowes.
(One people shall rise ageynst another, and one realm ageynst another, and there shall be earth quakes here and there, and death shall there be and troubles. These are the beginning of sorrows.)

TNT For ther shall nacion aryse agaynste nacion and kyngdome agaynst kyngdome. And ther shalbe erth quakes in all quarters and famyshment and troubles. These are the begynnynge of sorowes.
(For there shall nation arise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be earth quakes in all quarters and famyshment and troubles. These are the beginning of sorrows. )

Wycl For folk schal rise on folk, and rewme on rewme, and erthe mouyngis and hungur schulen be bi placis; these thingis schulen be bigynnyngis of sorewis.
(For folk/people shall rise on folk/people, and realm on realm, and earth movingis and hunger should be by places; these things should be beginnings of sorrows.)

Luth Es wird sich ein Volk über das andere empören und ein Königreich über das andere. Und es werden geschehen Erdbeben hin und wieder, und wird sein teure Zeit und Schrecken. Das ist der Not Anfang.
(It becomes itself/yourself/themselves a people above the other/different outrage/disgust and a kingdom above the other/different. And it become happen Erdbeben there/therefore and again, and becomes be expensive time/period and horror. The is the/of_the emergency beginning.)

ClVg Exsurget enim gens contra gentem, et regnum super regnum, et erunt terræmotus per loca, et fames. Initium dolorum hæc.[fn]
(It_will_rise because nation on_the_contrary nation, and kingdom over kingdom, and they_will_be earthquake through places, and hungers. The_beginning painum these_things. )

13.8 Exsurget enim. BEDA. Hæc omnia ante ultimos et acerbissimos dolores, etc., usque ad qui contra se invicem dimicantes, Ecclesiæ victoriam faciunt.

13.8 It_will_rise because. BEDA. This everything before the_last_(ones) and acerbissimos pains, etc., until to who/which on_the_contrary himself each_other dimicantes, Assemblies/Churches victory they_do.

UGNT ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπ’ ἔθνος, καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν. ἔσονται σεισμοὶ κατὰ τόπους, ἔσονται λιμοί; ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων ταῦτα.
(egerthaʸsetai gar ethnos ep’ ethnos, kai basileia epi basileian. esontai seismoi kata topous, esontai limoi; arⱪaʸ ōdinōn tauta.)

SBL-GNT ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπʼ ἔθνος καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν, ⸀ἔσονται σεισμοὶ κατὰ τόπους, ⸁ἔσονται ⸀λιμοί· ⸀ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων ταῦτα.
(egerthaʸsetai gar ethnos epʼ ethnos kai basileia epi basileian, ⸀esontai seismoi kata topous, ⸁esontai ⸀limoi; ⸀arⱪaʸ ōdinōn tauta.)

RP-GNT Ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπὶ ἔθνος, καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν· καὶ ἔσονται σεισμοὶ κατὰ τόπους, καὶ ἔσονται λιμοὶ καὶ ταραχαί· ἀρχαὶ ὠδίνων ταῦτα.
(Egerthaʸsetai gar ethnos epi ethnos, kai basileia epi basileian; kai esontai seismoi kata topous, kai esontai limoi kai taraⱪai; arⱪai ōdinōn tauta.)

TC-GNT Ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος [fn]ἐπὶ ἔθνος, καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν· [fn]καὶ ἔσονται σεισμοὶ κατὰ τόπους, [fn]καὶ ἔσονται [fn]λιμοὶ καὶ ταραχαί· [fn]ἀρχαὶ ὠδίνων ταῦτα.
(Egerthaʸsetai gar ethnos epi ethnos, kai basileia epi basileian; kai esontai seismoi kata topous, kai esontai limoi kai taraⱪai; arⱪai ōdinōn tauta. )

13:8 επι ¦ επ CT

13:8 και ¦ — CT

13:8 λιμοι και ταραχαι 96% ¦ λιμοι CT 0.5%

13:8 αρχαι ¦ αρχη CT

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

TTN Tyndale Theme Notes:

The Day Is Coming

Jesus predicted three future events in the synoptic Gospels. One was his own death and resurrection (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34); this was a past event when the Gospels were written.

The second event that Jesus predicted was the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Matt 24:1-28; 13:1-23; Luke 19:41-44; 21:5-24). This event was probably about to happen when Mark wrote his Gospel (see Mark Book Introduction, “Date”). It would not signify the very end, so the Christian community must continue to live in faithful watchfulness after this event for the Son of God’s return in glory, which might be soon (Mark 13:34-37).

The third event that Jesus predicted was his own future return (Matt 23:39; 24:3, 29-31, 24:36–25:46; Mark 8:38; 13:24-27, 32-37; Luke 21:25-36; John 14:1-3). References to Jesus’ return can be found throughout the New Testament (see, e.g., 1 Cor 1:7-8; 3:13; 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; Phil 1:6, 10; 2:16; 1 Thes 5:1-11; 2 Thes 2:2; 2 Tim 1:12, 18; 4:1, 8).

When Jesus returns, the promises about God’s Kingdom will be completely fulfilled. Jesus will bring judgment and destruction for Satan and his angels (Rom 16:20; 2 Thes 2:3-12). Unbelievers will also experience eternal judgment (Matt 13:40-42; 25:31-46; Luke 6:24-26; 16:19-31; Acts 10:42; Eph 5:6; Col 3:6; Heb 10:25; 2 Pet 3:7; Jude 1:6; Rev 1:7; 6:14, 17). Meanwhile, the faithful will be resurrected to experience the joy of eternal life (1 Thes 4:13-18). God will gather his chosen people for salvation (Mark 13:27; Heb 1:14; 9:27-28), grace (1 Pet 1:13), and glory (1 Thes 2:12; 2 Thes 2:14; 1 Pet 1:7; 5:1, 4). He will give his people a priceless inheritance (1 Pet 1:4) and new eternal bodies (1 Cor 15:35-57; Phil 3:21; 1 Thes 4:13-18). All of creation will also be rescued from its curse (Gen 3:17-18) and be transformed (Rom 8:20-23; 2 Pet 3:12-13; Rev 21:1–22:5). Sorrow, tears, mourning, and death will no longer exist (Rev 21:4). Those who have had faith during this life will see God (Matt 5:8; Rev 22:3).

In light of these promises, believers in Jesus are to prayerfully await his return (Matt 6:10; Rev 22:20). We should not speculate on dates for his coming (Mark 13:32; Acts 1:7), but should live in a way that is honorable (1 Jn 2:28) and be prepared (Matt 24:36–25:30; 1 Thes 5:1-11).

Passages for Further Study

Matt 5:8; 6:10; 13:41-42; 23:39; 24:3–25:46; Mark 8:38; 13:1-37; 14:25; Luke 6:24-26; 16:19-31; 19:41-44; 21:5-36; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:6-7; 10:42; Rom 8:20-23; 16:20; 1 Cor 1:7-8; 15:35-58; 2 Cor 1:14; Phil 1:6, 10; 2:16; 3:21; 1 Thes 4:13-18; 2 Thes 2:2-14; 2 Tim 4:1-8; Titus 2:11-13; Heb 9:28; 10:25, 37; 1 Pet 1:7, 13; 5:1-4; 2 Pet 3:7-13; 1 Jn 2:28; Rev 1:7; 6:15-17; 21:1–22:7; 22:12, 20

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 13:1–8: Jesus told his disciples that enemies would destroy the temple

In 11:27 Jesus entered the temple courts, and he and his disciples probably remained there through chapter 12. Then they left the temple (13:1), and one of the disciples exclaimed about how beautiful the temple was. Jesus told him that the Jews’ enemies would one day destroy the temple. The other disciples overheard this conversation. Some of them came to Jesus with some questions about what he had said. Jesus told them to be prepared for times of trouble in the future.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Jerusalem temple would soon be destroyed

The destruction of the temple and the coming times of trouble

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 24:1–8 and Luke 21:5–11.

Paragraph 13:5–8

In this paragraph, Jesus warned his disciples that terrible events would occur sometime after he died and before he returned to earth. He told them to be careful not to let anyone deceive them, because false messiahs would come. There would also be wars, famines, and earthquakes.

13:8a

Nation will rise against nation,

Countries will fight each other; (GNT)
People in one country will fight against people in another country,
People from one ethnic group are going to attack people from another ethnic group,

Nation will rise against nation: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Nation means “the people of one country.” In this context it is also possible to translate nation as “tribe” or “ethnic group.”

rise against: The expression rise against means “start to make war against” or “attack.”

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

Countries will fight each other (GNT)

People from one tribe will attack people from another tribe.

13:8b

and kingdom against kingdom.

kingdoms will attack one another. (GNT)
and the people from one kingdom/region will fight against the people of another kingdom/region.
and people who are under one ruler/chief will fight against people who are under another ruler/chief.

and kingdom against kingdom: The phrase and kingdom against kingdom implies the verb that the BSB translates as “will rise” in 13:8a. In many languages it is necessary to supply this verb or another verb with the same meaning here in 13:8b, as well. For example:

kingdoms will attack one another (GNT)

and the people of one kingdom will march against those of another

kingdom: A kingdom is the territory that a king rules. Here it refers to the people who live in the kingdom.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

and people who are under one ruler/chief will fight against people who are under another ruler/chief

General Comment on 13:8a–b

The statements in 13:8a and 13:8b are very similar. In some languages it may be natural to combine these statements. For example, the CEV says:

Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other.

13:8c

There will be earthquakes in various places,

The earth will shake violently in various places.
In many parts of the world earthquakes will happen,

There will be earthquakes in various places: The Greek word that the BSB translates as earthquakes refers to sudden and violent movements of the ground. When the ground shakes like this, it often destroys buildings. Jesus said that the earth would shake at different times and in different places. He implied that this would cause much damage and suffering.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The earth will shake violently in various places.

In various places earthquakes will happen.

in various places: This phrase means “in different places” or “in many parts of the world.”

13:8d

as well as famines.

There will also be famines.
and there will be long times when there is no food for people to eat.

as well as famines: The Greek word that the BSB translates as famines refers to prolonged periods when people do not have enough food to eat. They become very hungry and many die of hunger.

The word famines should be distinguished from annual periods when food is usually in short supply. It should also be distinguished from the daily experience of hunger which shows someone that it is time to eat again.

Here is another way to translate this:

…and some people will die of hunger.

13:8e

These are the beginning of birth pains.

These sufferings are like the first pains of childbirth.
These events are like the first pains of a woman before she gives birth. They show that greater sufferings are coming.

These are the beginning of birth pains: The clause These are the beginning of birth pains is a metaphor. The word These refers to the terrible events that Jesus predicted in 13:6–8. They would be like the pains that a woman first feels when her child is about to be born. These pains increase until the moment when the child is born. In the same way, these terrible events would be a sign that there would be even more severe suffering in the future. See 13:14–22.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

These sufferings are like the first pains of childbirth.

These events are like the first pains of a woman before she gives birth. They show that greater suffering is coming.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγερθήσεται Γάρ ἔθνος ἐπί ἔθνος καί βασιλεία ἐπί βασιλείαν Ἔσονται σεισμοί κατά τόπους ἔσονται λιμοί ἀρχή ὠδίνων ταῦτα)

Here, the word For introduces a further explanation of what is going to happen. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a further explanation, or you could leave For untranslated. Alternate translation: [Even more,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

ἐγερθήσεται & ἔθνος ἐπ’ ἔθνος, καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν

˓will_be_being˒_raised & nation (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγερθήσεται Γάρ ἔθνος ἐπί ἔθνος καί βασιλεία ἐπί βασιλείαν Ἔσονται σεισμοί κατά τόπους ἔσονται λιμοί ἀρχή ὠδίνων ταῦτα)

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the phrases with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternatively, you could combine the two phrases. Alternate translation: [nation will rise against nation, yes, kingdom against kingdom] or [nation and kingdom rise against nation and kingdom]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

ἐγερθήσεται & ἔθνος ἐπ’ ἔθνος, καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν

The words nation and kingdom represents nations and kingdoms in general, not one particular kingdom and nation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [some nations will rise against other nations, and some kingdoms against other kingdoms]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἐγερθήσεται & ἔθνος ἐπ’ ἔθνος, καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν

Here, the words nation and kingdom represent the people who live in them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the people of a nation will rise up against the people of another nation, and the people of a kingdom against the people of another kingdom]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ἐγερθήσεται & ἐπ’

˓will_be_being˒_raised & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγερθήσεται Γάρ ἔθνος ἐπί ἔθνος καί βασιλεία ἐπί βασιλείαν Ἔσονται σεισμοί κατά τόπους ἔσονται λιμοί ἀρχή ὠδίνων ταῦτα)

The phrase rise against referring to attacking someone or something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent phrase or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [will fight against]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν

kingdom (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγερθήσεται Γάρ ἔθνος ἐπί ἔθνος καί βασιλεία ἐπί βασιλείαν Ἔσονται σεισμοί κατά τόπους ἔσονται λιμοί ἀρχή ὠδίνων ταῦτα)

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from earlier in the sentence if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [kingdom will rise against kingdom]

Note 7 topic: translate-textvariants

λιμοί

famines

Many ancient manuscripts read famines. The ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “famines and troubles.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT.

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ταῦτα

these_‹are›

Here, These things refers to the things that Jesus has said will happen. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [The things that I have just described are]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων

Here Jesus speaks of the events that he has described as if they were the beginning of birth pains. He means that, just like birth pains, they are difficult and painful things that eventually lead to a happy and wonderful result. If possible, you should maintain the figure of speech or express the idea in simile form. Alternate translation: [like the beginning of birth pains]

Parallel MARK 13:8

Section 13:1–8: Jesus told his disciples that enemies would destroy the temple

Paragraph 13:5–8

13:8a

13:8b

General Comment on 13:8a–b

13:8c

13:8d

13:8e

Jerusalem during the New Testament