Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven. And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven (Dan. 7:13, Matt. 26:64b), with power and great glory.
In this saying Jesus reveals the majestic picture of His second coming as the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 7:13). He repeats the same word also before the crucifixion, standing before the high priest Caiaphas and the council (the Sanhedrin) (Matt. 26:64b): “the sign of the Son of Man” is understood by many interpreters as the sign of the Cross, the eternal reminder of Christ’s saving work, which will appear in heaven as the sign of His divine authority. “The mourning of the tribes of the earth” expresses the twofold response of people—repentance and remorse—both of those who believed and of those who rejected the truth. Christ’s coming “with power and great glory” shows that He returns not as a hidden prophet, but as Lord and Judge, to bring history to its completion and to establish justice. This saying unites past, present, and future, reminding us that He who was once crucified for the salvation of people will appear to the world, filled with divine glory and power.