Most people fail to realize that Jesus describes different “sorrows” in His sermons on the mount. In Matthew 24:8, we find the beginning (singular) of sorrows, while in Mark 13:8, we find the beginnings (plural) of sorrows. Why is this significant?
For years, I overlooked many details, assuming that the Gospel writers simply had different takes on the same event. However, I now see the error in that thinking. Parallel and companion texts often vary because they reflect more than one occurrence of a conversation or event. This is certainly the case for the Olivet Discourse. While commonly viewed as a single sermon, I have come to see how the “sorrows” differ in descriptions and proves multiple discourses had occurred over time.
In each account, aside from the phrase “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…” the signs or “plagues” of sorrows vary significantly according to each gospel:
- Matthew: “…and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matt 24:7–8).
- Mark: “…and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows” (Mark 13:8).
- Luke: “…and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven” (Luke 21:11). Notably, Luke makes no mention of “sorrows” at all.
There Is A Hidden Methodology
In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus says, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” The challenge is determining which prophecies apply to “this generation” and identifying exactly which generation is in view.
Without a proven methodology, we are often just guessing. However, I discovered what I believe to be a “hidden code” while analyzing the Greek text. I noticed that not all the words translated as “these” come from the same Greek demonstrative pronoun.
In fact, there are multiple different Greek words translated as “these” throughout the Gospels. Here are a few examples:
- Matthew 24:2: “See ye not all these things?” (tauta, Strong’s G5023)
- Mark 13:2: “See thou these great buildings?” (tautas, Strong’s G3778)
- Luke 21:12: “But before all these…” (toutōn, Strong’s G5130) (Note: In the original Greek, the word “things” is absent and was added by translators.)
Interestingly, in the parallel passages of Matthew 24:8 and Mark 13:8, the word “these” comes from the same root. However, Matthew adds the Greek adjective panta (“all”).
- Matthew: “All these (panta tauta) are the beginning of sorrows.”
- Mark: “These (tauta) are the beginnings of sorrows.”
While focusing on an adjective occurring in one instance but not the other or on whether a word appears in singular or plural form may seem as trivial, we must remember that Jesus often spoke in parables for the purpose of hiding truth.
Jesus said, “Till heaven and earth pass, one iota or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt 5:18). Not only was He affirming that all prophecy would be fulfilled, but I believe he was also cautioning his followers that the deepest truths are hidden in the smallest details–specifically in the original languages of Scripture.
Simply relying on translations is not always sufficient to uncover the nuances of prophecy. All translations, without exceptions, require a degree of paraphrasing into different languages. In the process, minute details may be lost, words altered, and interpretations influenced by bias and preconceived beliefs. Since most of us are not fluent in Greek or Hebrew, it is a blessing that online Bible tools exist to assist us in careful word study.
By closely comparing the Greek in Matthew 24:8 and Mark 13:8b, it dawned on me that these verses hold a powerful key.
The Coded Formula Has Been Unveiled
What emerged can best be described as a hidden formula:
- All these (panta tauta) = The beginning (singular) of sorrows. (Mt 24:8)
- These (tauta) = The beginnings (plural) of sorrows. (Mk 13:8b)
Both verses function as codes to let us know when to apply either the plural or singular version of “sorrows.” In other words, where we locate taute, it is referring to the beginnings (plural) of sorrows and where we locate panta taute, it is referring to the beginning (singular) of sorrows:
This distinction helps eliminate ambiguity. For example, when the disciples asked, “When shall these (tauta) be?” (Mt 24:3, Mk 13:3, Lk 21:7), they were essentially asking, “When shall the beginnings of sorrows be?” In contrast, when Jesus said “this generation shall not pass, till all these (panta tauta) be fulfilled,” (Mt 24:34, Mk 13:30), he was referring specifically to the beginning of sorrows.
There are Three Stages of Sorrows
When we apply this methodology or formula, three distinct stages emerge:
- The Beginning of Sorrows (Matthew’s account): This stage occurred during the Apostolic generation. It marked the end of the Old Testament age—the cessation of the Mosaic laws and sacrifices—as the birth of Church.
- The Beginnings of Sorrows (Mark’s account): This stage includes the Gentiles and “troubles” that extend beyond the first generation, encompassing the entire Church Age.
- The Ending of Sorrows (Luke’s account): While not a biblical term, I believe Luke describes the final stage, including “great signs from heaven,” culminating in Judgment Day.
The Signs Are Not literal
When the disciples heard Jesus speak about signs, did they understand he was speaking figuratively? The answer is yes. By this point, the disciples had been with Jesus long enough to recognize His use of parables.
When Jesus said, “There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down” they knew he was not referring to the literal limestone of the temple. Had they taken this statement literally, they would have been no different from the false witnesses who testified against Jesus, claiming He said He would “destroy the temple made with hands and within three days build another without hands.” ( see Mark 14:58 and Matt 26:61)
Instead, the disciples understood “stones” as a reference to the spiritual house of Israel. Scripture teaches that believers are “lively stones” (1 Pet 2:5), and Jesus is the “chief cornerstone” (1 Pet 2:7).
Likewise, Jesus is not describing literal disasters as “sorrows.” Earthquakes, famines, and pestilences are all symbolic and spiritual in nature. I explain what each sign represents spiritually in greater detail in my study, The Signs of the Sorrows [here].4
Summary
Understanding the distinction between these “sorrows” is the key to interpreting prophecy. By decoding the use of “these” and “all these,” across all three parallel passages, we can clearly identify three distinct time periods: the Apostolic generation, the Church Age, and the final judgment.
| Scripture Reference | Greek Phrase | English Translation | Prophetic Stage | Time Period |
| Matthew 24:8 | panta tauta | “all these” | The Beginning (Singular) | Apostolic Generation |
| Mark 13:8 | tauta | “these” | The Beginnings (Plural) | The Church Age |
| Luke 21:12
Luke 21:36 |
toutōn hapanton
tauta panta |
“these all” | The Ending | Post-Church Age / Judgment |
I explore the spiritual meaning of each sign in greater detail in my study, The Signs of the Sorrows [here].