Matthew 24:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

NIV: Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

NASB: Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

CSB: Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place.

NLT: I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.

KJV: Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

NKJV: Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

Various readings of this verse have inspired conversation, disagreement, and division since Jesus first said them more than 2,000 years ago. Several different views on the end times are formed around what Jesus means in this statement.

One view of these words is that the people present when Christ spoke are the generation who would see these signs. Full preterists believe that Jesus returned in AD 70, meaning His generation had not died out before His own return. Those holding such a view believe the destruction of the temple by the Roman Empire in that year fulfilled this prophecy. Partial preterists would suggest the only remaining event is the full second coming of Christ. A major problem with this stance is that the temple's ruin came after a long period of misery in Jerusalem—it was not a precursor of it. Jesus' depiction of the "abomination" was as a sign of impending danger (Matthew 24:16). Likewise, the events He speaks of are said to threaten the survival of humanity, itself (Matthew 24:22).

Futurists believe that "this generation" describes those alive much later when the final signs before Jesus' return appear in the skies. Christ stated earlier that the generation who heard Him speak, in person, on earth, would not be privy to the onset of His kingdom (Matthew 21:43). Typical interpretation of the end times implies a seven-year period, often referred to as the "tribulation." The second half of this is known as the "great tribulation" (Matthew 24:21). That period will be initiated by some catastrophic defilement of the temple in Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15). By that interpretation, those who are alive on earth can interpret the "abomination" and proceeding events as clear signs that Christ is about to return.

Both views, as well as many others, agree that in at least one sense, Jesus is right now at the gates, ready to return. Nothing stands in His way, and He waits only for the Father to send Him, at the moment only the Father knows. He could arrive at any time.

Matthew 24:32–35 begins with Jesus' instructions to learn from the example of a fig tree. When the leaves appear, people know summer is coming. In the same way, when mankind sees all these predicted signs, they should know Christ's return is near. The generation who sees those signs will not pass way until all the predicted signs have been completed. Nothing will change this since Jesus' words will not pass away even though heaven and earth may pass away.

Jesus makes a dire prediction about the destruction of the temple. Immediately after this, while seated on the Mount of Olives, Jesus responds to a question from the disciples. They ask when judgment will come and what signs will signal His return. Christ describes a season of unimaginable world turmoil and persecution. He points to a specific moment of defilement of the temple, at which point people should run for their lives. Jesus speaks of world-threatening tribulation which will be cut short right before He returns as King and Judge. Since nobody can possibly know when He will return, His followers must live in readiness.

Jesus has just left the temple area, after delivering a blistering criticism of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23). After predicting that the temple would be destroyed, He answers their questions about the end times. He speaks of a period when He will be gone from earth and they will be persecuted and killed. The world will be in turmoil, but the gospel will be preached everywhere. Nobody knows exactly when Jesus' return will be completed, so his followers should constantly be prepared. Jesus continues to teach on these themes in the next chapter.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.