Matthew 24:21

For then there will be great suffering ¹  unlike anything that has happened ²  from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen.

For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equalled again.

"For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.

For that will be a time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again.

"This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again.

Because in those days there will be great sorrow, such as there has not been from the start of the world till now, or ever will be.

For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.

"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

For then there will be great suffering ¹  unlike anything that has happened ²  from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen.

¹ tn Traditionally, “great tribulation.”

² sn Suffering unlike anything that has happened. Some refer this event to the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70. While the events of a.d. 70 may reflect somewhat the comments Jesus makes here, the reference to the scope and severity of this judgment strongly suggest that much more is in view. Most likely Jesus is referring to the great end-time judgment on Jerusalem in the great tribulation.