On Mount of Olives, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus when the temple will fall.
Mark 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
Mark 13:27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
Mark 13:27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
And then he will send those messengers and he will gather together those chosen of his out of the four winds from a pinnacle of earth as far as a pinnacle of sky.
The most interesting word here is the one translated as "uttermost part," "ends," and "furthest ends." It is only used by Jesus in this verse, the parallel in Matthew 24:31, and an unrelated verse in Luke 16:24. It is singular, not plural, and it refers to the highest point, a pinnacle. The word, akron, has been adopted into English where it means the same idea. In is interesting because it defines both the sky and our planet as hierarchies.
The Greek word translated as "winds" is the source of the Latin word that means "spirit" and the different Latin word for "mind." The Greek word for "spirit" also means "breath," "blast," or "wind." Jesus only uses this word six times.
All the translations add a "his" before the term for "angels" but no such "his" exists in the Greek. In other words, Jesus did not claim that the angels were his. The "elect" or "chosen ones" are described as "hi" but only in some manuscripts.
All translations both insert definite articles ("the") where there are none in the Greek and skips over definite articles that are in the text. Jesus usually uses the definite article before "earth" and "sky," but he doesn't use them here. Since the Greek article is more like our demonstrative article ("this") The absence of the article makes it seem like there are potentially many "uttermost points" and multiple "earths" and "heavens."
We must aim high to be among the chosen.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "his" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "angels" is not shown in the English translation.
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "angels" means "messengers." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "elect" is not shown in the English translation.
- UW - Untranslated Word -- The word "elect" means "chosen." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" before "uttermost" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" before "earth" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" before "uttermost" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- CW --Confusing Word --The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "then" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "his" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "angels" is not shown in the English translation.
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "angels" means "messengers." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "elect" is not shown in the English translation.
- UW - Untranslated Word -- The word "elect" means "chosen." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "ends" is translated as plural but it is singular.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "ends" is translated as plural but it is singular.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heavens" is translated as plural but it is singular.
- CW --Confusing Word --The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "then" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "his" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "angels" is not shown in the English translation.
- UW --Untranslated Word -- The word "angels" means "messengers." It is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "elect" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase -- The word "all over" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "world" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "four" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "winds" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "farthest ends" is translated as plural but it is singular.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "to" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "highest" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word --The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
then -- The Greek word for "then" means "at this time" or "then."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the following verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the following verb.
send --- (CW) The "send " here is a word that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle." This word is not the simple "send" but a more complex one that means "send out" or "send from." CW --Confusing Word -- The "sent" does not capture the word's specific meaning of "sent off" or "sent out."
his -- (OS) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "his" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
angels, -- (UW) "Angels" is a noun meaning "messenger" and "envoys" though it became to mean "semi-divine beings" in later use from its use in the NT. Jesus uses this word to describe the means by which Jesus communicates to us and our thoughts.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the following verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
gather -- "Gather" is a verb that means "to collect and bring to a place." It also means to "bring into" a conversation or to "infer" or "conclude."
together -- This is from the root that means "together" of the previous verb.
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
elect - (UW) "Elect" is from an adjective that means "picked out," "select," "choice," and "pure." It is used as a noun there, "the ones selected." Our English word is adapted from Biblical Greek through Latin. It is used as a noun there, "the ones selected."
from -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." In Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases with usually use with "of."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
four -- "Four" is a noun form of the word "four."
winds, "Winds" is the Greek noun that means "wind," "a cardinal point," or "quarter." It means both the physical wind and the direction from which the wind comes.
from -- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.
the -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "the" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used.
uttermost part -- "Uttermost point" is a noun that means "highest," "furthest point," "mountain top," "peak," "headland," "extremity," and "end."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
the -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "the" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used.
earth -- -- The word translated as "earth" means "ground" and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Christ describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "until" but it also means "as far as." It is not one of the Greek prepositions normally translated as "to."
the -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "the" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used.
uttermost part -- "Uttermost point" is a noun that means "highest," "furthest point," "mountain top," "peak," "headland," "extremity," and "end."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
heaven. ---- (CW) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. CW --Confusing Word --The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky." WN --Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
missing "then"-- (MW) The untranslated word "then" means "at this time" or "then."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the following verb.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the following verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
send -- The "send " here is a word that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle."
his -- (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "his" in the Greek source.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
angels, ---- (UW) "Angels" is a noun meaning "messenger" and "envoys" though it became to mean "semi-divine beings" in later use from its use in the NT. Jesus uses this word to describe the means by which Jesus communicates to us and our thoughts.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
gather -- "Gather" is a verb which means "to collect and bring to a place." It also means to "bring into" a conversation or to "infer" or "conclude."
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
elect - (UW) "Elect" is from an adjective that means "picked out," "select," "choice," and "pure." It is used as a noun there, "the ones selected." Our English word is adapted from Biblical Greek through Latin. It is used as a noun there, "the ones selected."
from -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." In Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases with usually use with "of."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
four -- "Four" is a noun form of the word "four."
winds, "Winds" is the Greek noun that means "wind," "a cardinal point," or "quarter." It means both the physical wind and the direction from which the wind comes.
from -- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.
the -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "the" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used.
ends -- (WN) "Ends" is a noun that means "highest," "furthest point," "mountain top," "peak," "headland," "extremity," and "end."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
the -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "the" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used.
earth -- -- The word translated as "earth" means "ground" and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Christ describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
to -- The word translated as "to" means "until" but it also means "as far as." It is not one of the Greek prepositions normally translated as "to."
the -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "the" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used.
ends -- - (WN) "Ends" is a noun that means "highest," "furthest point," "mountain top," "peak," "headland," "extremity," and "end."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
the -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "the" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used.
heavens. --- (CW, WN) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
missing "then"-- (MW) The untranslated word "then" means "at this time" or "then."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the following verb.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the following verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
send -- The "send " here is a word that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle."
his -- (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "his" in the Greek source.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
angels, -- (UW) "Angels" is a noun meaning "messenger" and "envoys" though it became to mean "semi-divine beings" in later use from its use in the NT. Jesus uses this word to describe the means by which Jesus communicates to us and our thoughts.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
gather -- "Gather" is a verb which means "to collect and bring to a place." It also means to "bring into" a conversation or to "infer" or "conclude."
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective. In the adverbial form, it means "just here" or "exactly there." This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
chosen -- "Chosen ones" is from an adjective that means "picked out," "select," "choice," and "pure." It is used as a noun there, "the ones selected."
ones -- The word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
from -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." In Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases with usually use with "of."
all over -- (IP) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "all over" in the Greek source.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
world -- (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "world" in the Greek source.
missing "four"-- (MW) The untranslated word "four" is a noun form of the word "four."
missing "winds"-- (MW) The untranslated word "winds" is the Greek noun that means "wind," "a cardinal point," or "quarter." It means both the physical wind and the direction from which the wind comes.
from -- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.
the -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "the" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used.
farthest ends -- (WN) "Ends" is a noun that means "highest," "furthest point," "mountain top," "peak," "headland," "extremity," and "end."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
the -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "the" in the source we use today nor was there one in the source that the KJV translators used.
earth -- -- The word translated as "earth" means "ground" and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Christ describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
and -- (IW) There is no Greek word that can be translated as "and" in the Greek source.
missing "to"-- (MW) The untranslated word "to" means "until" but it also means "as far as." It is not one of the Greek prepositions normally translated as "to."
missing "highest"-- (MW) The untranslated word "highest" is a noun that means "highest," "furthest point," "mountain top," "peak," "headland," "extremity," and "end."
heaven. (CW) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) (conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
τότε [53 verses](adv) "Then" is tote, which means "at that time" and "then."
ἀποστελεῖ [53 verses](adv) ( verb 3rd sg fut ind act ) "Send " is apostello, which means "to send off," "to send away," or "to dispatch." It is our source of the word "apostle."
τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
ἀγγέλους [25 verses]( noun pl masc acc ) "Angels" is aggelos, which means "messenger" and "envoys" though it became to mean "semi-divine beings" in later use.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἐπισυνάξει [5 verses]( verb 3rd sg fut ind act ) "Gather together" is from episynago, which means "to collect and bring to a place." It also means to "bring into" a conversation or to "infer" or "conclude."
τοὺς [821 verses] (article pl masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
ἐκλεκτοὺς [8 verses]( adj pl masc acc ) "The elect's " is from eklektos, which means "picked out," "selected," "choice," and "pure."
“ἐκ [121 verses](prep) "From" is ek, which means 1) [of motion] "out of," "from," "by," "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond," "outside of," "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after," "from;" 4) [of rest] "on," "in," 5) [of time] "since," "from," "at," "in;" 5) [of materials] "out of," "made from."
τῶν [821 verses](article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
τεσσάρων [2 verses]( noun pl masc gen ) "Four" is from tessares, which means "four."
ἀνέμων [6 verses]( noun pl masc gen ) "Winds" is from anemos, which means "wind," "a cardinal point," or "quarter." It means both the physical wind and the direction from which the wind comes.
ἀπ᾽ (prep) [190 verses] "From" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause.
ἄκρου” [3 verses]( adj sg fem gen ) "Uttermost" is from akron, which means "highest," "furthest point," "mountain top," "peak," "headland," "extremity," and "end."
γῆς [821 verses]( noun sg fem gen ) "Earth" is ge, which means "the element of earth," "land (country)," "arable land," "the ground," "the land and sea," and "the world" as the opposite of the sky.
“ἕως [63 verses](conj) "To" is heos which means "until," "till," and "in order that" and "up to the point that."
ἄκρου [3 verses]( adj sg fem gen ) "Uttermost" is from akron, which means "highest," "furthest point," "mountain top," "peak," "headland," "extremity," and "end."
οὐρανοῦ.” [111 verses]( noun sg masc gen ) "Heaven" is the Greek ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky," "heaven as the seat of the gods," "the sky," "the universe," and "the climate."
Two pairs of opposite actions are presented in the "sending of messengers," and "gathering of the chosen." Two opposing concepts of "extremes" contrast in the physical limits of the earth and the conceptual limits of the universe.
In ancient culture, the earth was understood as the physical and mundane, while "heaven" was understood as its opposite, the conceptual and universal. This is not our modern concept of "heaven" as the realm of God and angels. This can be clearly seen in this verse as the "angels" are sent out TO heaven not from heaven.
How can the chosen be gathered from the heavens? With our modern idea of heaven, we might think of these as the souls of the dead, but again, this was not the understanding of the times. At the time, people, including the Jews who believed in an afterlife, saw souls as dwelling in the underworld not the heavens. Christ's vision of this gathering of the chosen from heaven is very different from both modern and ancient conceptions though it obviously influenced our modern ideas.