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In Matthew 24:7 (ESV), Jesus warned His disciples:

“…and earthquakes in various places.”

This statement is echoed in both Mark 13:8 (ESV) and Luke 21:11 (ESV), where Jesus speaks of earthquakes as signs of the coming troubles.

Mark 13:8 (ESV): “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 the birth pains.”

Luke 21:11 (ESV): “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”

These verses have often been misinterpreted as referring to global, widespread earthquakes in the distant future. However, Jesus was specifically referring to earthquakes that would occur in “various places” during the period leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

It is important to understand that these were not world-shaking earthquakes as we might imagine today, but rather localised tremors that served as signs in that generation.

Earthquakes as Signs in the Gospels #

Throughout the New Testament, we encounter several significant earthquakes that point to God’s active involvement in the unfolding events of that era. These earthquakes were not only physical but also symbolised the spiritual shaking that was occurring as God’s judgment approached.

One of the most dramatic earthquakes occurred at the crucifixion of Jesus in A.D. 30, as recorded in Matthew 27:50-54 (ESV):

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!'”

This earthquake at the moment of Christ’s death was a profound sign of the cosmic shift that was taking place. The tearing of the temple curtain symbolised the end of the old covenant system. The shaking of the earth mirrored the spiritual turmoil that Jesus’ death was causing, breaking down the barriers between God and man.

Another earthquake occurred at the Resurrection of Jesus, also in A.D. 30, when an angel descended to roll away the stone from the tomb:

Matthew 28:1-3 (NKJV): “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.”

This second earthquake was a sign of the victory of Christ over death and the grave, as well as the introduction of the new covenant through His resurrection. It was not just a physical phenomenon but a spiritual declaration of the inauguration of God’s Kingdom in Christ.

Other Earthquakes in the Early Church #

The early Church also experienced several earthquakes that were signs of God’s power and affirmation of His work in the world. After the apostles prayed for boldness and were filled with the Holy Spirit, the place in which they gathered was shaken:

Acts 4:31 (AMP): “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage.”

This earthquake marked the empowerment of the early Church as they boldly declared the Gospel, despite opposition and persecution.

Additionally, in Acts 16:25-26 (AMP), when Paul and Silas were imprisoned, another earthquake occurred that resulted in their miraculous release:

“But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them, suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s shackles were unfastened.”

Here, the earthquake symbolised the freedom that the Gospel brings. The shaking of the prison mirrored the spiritual liberation found in Christ. Not only were Paul and Silas physically freed, but the earthquake also signified the breaking of spiritual chains in the hearts of those who heard the message.

Significance of Earthquakes #

The earthquakes mentioned in the Gospels and Acts were not random events but had deep theological significance. They were signs of the divine presence and intervention. In each instance, the physical shaking of the earth reflected a deeper, spiritual shaking as God’s Kingdom was being established.

• At the cross, the earthquake symbolised the end of the old order and the opening of the way to God through Christ.

• At the resurrection, the earthquake heralded the beginning of a new era, where death no longer held power over those in Christ.

• In the early Church, the earthquakes marked the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the advancement of the Gospel.

These earthquakes serve as a reminder that God is actively working in history to bring about His will. They are a call for us to be aware of the spiritual shaking that is taking place around us, and to recognise that God’s Kingdom is being established with power, even during difficult circumstances.

Kik’s Observations:

The historian Kik records several places that experienced earthquakes during this period: Crete, Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, Samos, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colossae, Campania, Rome, and Judea. Of particular note is the earthquake that struck Pompeii on February 5, 63 A.D., causing significant damage to the city. (Kik, p. 93)

Tacitus’ Accounts:

The Roman historian Tacitus provides additional details on earthquakes during the reign of several emperors, highlighting the prominence of such events in the historical context of the time:

During the reign of Caligula (A.D. 37-41), earthquakes were recorded.

During the reign of Claudius (A.D. 41-54), another earthquake was noted.

Nero’s reign witnessed significant earthquakes, particularly in Laodicea. Tacitus recounts:

“Several prodigies occurred in that year. Birds of evil omen perched on the Capitol; houses were thrown down by frequent shocks of earthquake…”. (Tacitus, The Annals, 12.43)

This event, alongside others in Apamea and Laodicea (A.D. 61), highlights the disruption caused by natural disasters during this era.

Tacitus also mentions an earthquake in Pompeii in A.D. 62, which caused considerable damage. (Tacitus, The Annals, 15:22)

Josephus’ Insight:

The Jewish historian Josephus describes an earthquake during the Jewish War, further illustrating the atmosphere of upheaval:

“There broke out a prodigious storm in the night… with the largest showers of rain… and amazing concussions and bellowings of the earth, that was in an earthquake. These things were a manifest indication that some destruction was coming upon men.” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 4.4.5)

Josephus interprets these natural phenomena as harbingers of impending judgment, suggesting that these physical events were reflective of the spiritual and prophetic turmoil about to unfold.

Further Insights from Various Sources #

Edward Hayes Plumptre notes that this period—spanning from the Crucifixion of Christ to the destruction of Jerusalem—was marked by significant natural convulsions, such as an earthquake in Crete (A.D. 46-47), Rome (A.D. 51), and Laodicea (A.D. 60). These events further contribute to the atmosphere of instability that characterised the era.

Seneca, the Roman philosopher, wrote about the fear and panic that earthquakes induced, using the example of Pompeii:

“Where will our fears finally be at rest if the one thing which is immovable in the universe and fixed, so as to support everything that leans upon it, starts to waver? … What hiding-place do we look to, what help, if the earth itself is causing the ruin?” (Seneca, Quaestiones Naturales, VI)

Seneca reflects on the unsettling experience of witnessing the earth itself—once regarded as a foundation of stability—become the source of destruction, contributing to the sense of terror and uncertainty that pervaded the Empire.

Pompeii’s Earthquake in A.D. 62:

As detailed by Wikipedia, the earthquake in Pompeii on February 5, 62 A.D. caused significant damage. The earthquake, which registered between 5 and 6 on the Richter scale, caused buildings to collapse, fires to break out, and widespread chaos. While some rebuilding occurred, much of the damage remained unresolved until the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. This earthquake and its aftermath are notable for the panic and disorder they caused in the affected cities, further underlining the instability of the time. (Wikipedia, Pompeii, Subsection – A.D. 62–79)

Prophetic Significance #

Given the historical distance from these events, there is no theological basis for attaching modern earthquakes to the prophetic fulfilment of Matthew 24:7, which speaks of “earthquakes in various places.”

The earthquakes between A.D. 30 and A.D. 70 were signs that reflected the turmoil and judgment of the times, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem. They were part of the broader divine narrative in which the Jewish rejection of Christ led to a national judgment.

These earthquakes, alongside other natural phenomena like storms, lightning, and thunder, were seen by contemporary writers as God’s indicators of judgment upon the Jewish people for their failure to recognise the Messiah. The physical tremors of the earth paralleled the spiritual upheaval and chaos that would soon befall Jerusalem.

In conclusion, while earthquakes are often seen as tragic events, they were viewed in this period as significant symbols of divine intervention and judgment, marking a time of great turmoil for the Jewish nation. These natural occurrences were not just random; they were part of a greater prophetic narrative—a narrative that saw the fall of Jerusalem as a fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecies about the end of the Jewish temple and the destruction of the city.

In Christ,
Godwin.