Matthew 24

by Billy Boyd

Matthew 24 may be the most difficult chapter in the book. Jesus tells his disciples what will come to pass, and his language is sometimes figurative, exaggerated, and apocalyptic. Many wise and respected commentators have struggled with this chapter and differed over its particulars, so do not be discouraged if you find it difficult. I am not haughty when I try to explain this chapter, but below are a few keys that help put the things Jesus said in perspective.

1. As with any passage of Scripture, and especially difficult passages, this chapter must be understood in light of everything else the Bible teaches, for all Scripture is of one mind; all of it is of God. Suggestions that clash with the teachings of the rest of the Bible cannot be correct, and novel theories should be treated with suspicion.
2. Remember that Matthew’s primary purpose is to provide his readers evidence that Jesus is the promised Christ. Documenting how Jesus foretold what was to come, and watching these things happen as they were fulfilled, is part of that evidence.
3. In the immediate context, Jesus had proclaimed that the hypocrites to whom he was speaking would be judged, that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed, and that these things “shall come to pass upon this generation” (Matthew 23:35-24:2).
4. Jesus is responding to the question asked of him by his disciples, “When shall these things be, and what shall be the sign of thy coming and the end of the world” (Matthew 24:3). The disciples asked their question as though they thought the destruction of the temple (“these things”), the coming of the Lord (in judgment); and “the end of the world” would all happen at about the same time. In answering their question, the Lord explained that his coming in judgment against Jerusalem, and his coming in judgment at the end of the world would be separate events.
5. The disciples asked for both the time (“when shall these things be”), and the sign (“what shall be the sign”). In regard to the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus said gave them a sign (“the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet” - Matthew 24:15), and he told them the time (“this generation” - Matthew 24:34), but in regard to the end of the world Jesus said there would be no sign (“as in the days of Noe... knew not until the flood came” - Matthew 24:37-39), and no one knew the time (“of that day and hour knoweth no man” - Matthew 24:36).
6. A key division of this chapter is Matthew 24:34-35, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” The things preceding these verses have to do with the soon coming of the Lord in judgment against Jerusalem; the things following have to do with the Lord’s eventual coming in judgment at the end of the world.
   While these six keys may not answer all the questions you may have about this chapter, they should go a long way toward keeping you on the right track. Here is something else to keep in mind as you meditate on these things: just as sure as the Lord came in judgment against Jerusalem, as he said, so also he will come to judge the world, he said, and therefore we need to “watch” (Matthew 24:42) and “be ready” (Matthew 24:44).