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Matthew 24
open-in-new
<h2 id="text">Text</h2> <p>The original text was written in <a href="/facts/Koine_Greek/StKuT1sY">Koine Greek</a>. <a href="/facts/Chapters_and_verses_of_the_Bible/m6Nb0vS0">This chapter is divided into</a> 51 verses. </p> <h3>Textual witnesses</h3> <p>Some early <a href="/facts/Biblical_manuscript/vXkTSHJo">manuscripts</a> containing the text of this chapter are: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Codex_Vaticanus/PKR628K8">Codex Vaticanus</a> (AD 325–350)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Codex_Sinaiticus/IaND8dKr">Codex Sinaiticus</a> (330–360)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Codex_Bezae/fdoFCsc9">Codex Bezae</a> (c. 400)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Codex_Washingtonianus/m8yqyja6">Codex Washingtonianus</a> (c. 400)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Codex_Alexandrinus/n6XN6K0h">Codex Alexandrinus</a> (c. 400–440)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Codex_Ephraemi_Rescriptus/YRAw5IMv">Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus</a> (c. 450)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Codex_Purpureus_Rossanensis/zyaShqT4">Codex Purpureus Rossanensis</a> (6th century)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Codex_Sinopensis/FRvwJ2aA">Codex Sinopensis</a> (6th century; extant: verses 3–12)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Papyrus_83/whJJkLRR">Papyrus 83</a> (6th century; extant: verses 1, 6)</li></ul> <h3>Old Testament references</h3> <ul><li>Matthew 24:15: Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11</li> <li>Matthew 24:35: <a href="/facts/Isaiah_51:6/fIKk2RJI">Isaiah 51:6</a></li></ul> <h2 id="context">Context</h2> <p>In the preceding chapters (<a href="/facts/Matthew_21/VPCW0gVI">chapters 21</a>–<a href="/facts/Matthew_23/GTCXTeyD">23</a>), Jesus has been teaching in the Temple and debating with the <a href="/facts/Pharisees/1TlRFXWI">Pharisees</a>, <a href="/facts/Herodians/sGyMpcmY">Herodians</a> and <a href="/facts/Sadducees/zAHm496A">Sadducees</a>. Jesus and his disciples now leave the Temple (Matthew 24:1), or the temple grounds in the <a href="/facts/New_Living_Translation/xMXvzttL">New Living Translation</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> Theologian <a href="/facts/John_Gill_(theologian)/s4o2qCWq">John Gill</a> observes that Jesus was "never to return".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p><p>Arthur Carr reports that in descending the <a href="/facts/Kidron_Valley/RFhAabtB">Kedron Valley</a>, to the east of the temple, and then ascending the slope of the Mount of Olives, the disciples could look back and see "the Temple [rising] with its colonnade of dazzling white <a href="/facts/Marble/5JEFb0qu">marble</a>, surmounted with golden roof and <a href="/facts/Pinnacle/Byxab2z4">pinnacles</a>, and founded on a substructure of huge stones".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="verses-12">Verses 1–2</h2> <p>In this "introductory scene",<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a>: 876 Jesus predicts that "not one stone shall be left here upon another".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> The prediction follows the sentiments expressed by Jesus in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23:37–38&version=nkjv">Matthew 23:37–38</a>: </p> <i>O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... See! Your house is left to you desolate</i>. <p><a href="/facts/Methodism/XXvj9D0G">Methodism</a>'s founder <a href="/facts/John_Wesley/vm9oeMF6">John Wesley</a> says that the prediction was "most punctually fulfilled" in that the majority of the temple buildings were burned and then dug up on the orders of the invading Roman general <a href="/facts/Titus/0ILs5etG">Titus</a> in 70 AD.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="mount-of-olives">Mount of Olives</h2> <p>Jesus and his disciples then proceed to the <a href="/facts/Mount_of_Olives/v7ErEHUn">Mount of Olives</a>, where a conversation occurs about "the end of the age". Jesus's words here called the "Little Apocalypse" or "<a href="/facts/Olivet_Discourse/vzTbke7z">Olivet Discourse</a>". Jesus appears to have gone ahead of his disciples (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:3&version=nkjv">Matthew 24:3</a>), who come to him to enquire about the time of the temple's destruction (<i>Tell us, when will these things be?</i>, verse 3) and the significance of his <i>parousia</i> (<a href="/facts/Greek_language/pzDd6eIz">Greek</a>: παρουσιας, <i>parousias</i>). <a href="https://www.biblica.com/bible/?osis=niv:Mark%2013:3">Mark 13:3</a> states that only <a href="/facts/Saint_Peter/50X8naSm">Peter</a>, <a href="/facts/James,_son_of_Zebedee/a76HeySS">James</a>, <a href="/facts/Saint_John_the_Apostle/WI3EuYIz">John</a>, and <a href="/facts/Saint_Andrew/FpPgt7fu">Andrew</a> came to speak with him.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p><p><a href="/facts/Dale_Allison/aYRoer3A">Dale Allison</a> divides Jesus' warnings into three groups: </p> <ul><li>the beginning of the woes in the world at large (verses 3–8),</li> <li>the intensification of the woes in the church (verses 9—14), and</li> <li>the climax of the woes in <a href="/facts/Judea/yNA3wGqQ">Judea</a> (verses 15—28).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a>: 876 </li></ul> <h3>Verse 5</h3> <i>For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> <p>This verse reads 'I am Christ', lacking the <a href="/facts/Definite_article/dLXmIPh1">definite article</a>, in the <a href="/facts/Geneva_Bible/5NTr8VB7">Geneva Bible</a> (1599),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> the <a href="/facts/King_James_Version/FdS5n0lX">King James Version</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> and the New Matthew Bible <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> (a modernised version of the New Testament of <a href="/facts/William_Tyndale/tpvt5sBF">William Tyndale</a>).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> <a href="/facts/Cambridge_Bible_for_Schools_and_Colleges/pcpHKu1j">Carr</a> (1882 onwards) observes that "the Christ, the Messiah" is correct, departing from the King James Version then in use.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> </p> <h3>Verse 9</h3> <i>Then they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> <p>This foretelling of <a href="/facts/Persecution_of_Christians/KYmorbP9">Christian suffering</a> is concerned with making it bearable.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a>: 876 </p> <h3>Verse 15</h3> <i>Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation', spoken of by <a href="/facts/Daniel_(biblical_figure)/zS3CdkJ9">Daniel</a> the <a href="/facts/Prophet_(Judaism)/SHXDfAAj">prophet</a>, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand)</i> <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a> <p>The "<a href="/facts/Abomination_of_desolation/w9frcSU6">abomination of desolation</a>" is alternatively described as the "desolating sacrifice" in the <a href="/facts/New_Revised_Standard_Version/8G5FT2bL">New Revised Standard Version</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a> Citation from Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11 </p> <h3>Verse 20</h3> <i>Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a> <p>The hardship associated with escape during winter is likely to arise from bad weather.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a> Allison notes the absence of any explanation as to why flight on a <a href="/facts/Sabbath_day/bdPkL8Dw">sabbath day</a> might also be more challenging; he suggests that Matthew's community might still have observed the sabbath as a day of rest, with its traditional travel restrictions, and been both hesitant and unprepared for flight on such a day.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a>: 877 </p> <h3>Verses 29–31</h3> <i>"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, the moon shall not give its light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.</i> <i>And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.</i> <i>And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet."</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a> <p>In the <a href="/facts/Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_Faith/orkrDxjS">Bahá'í Faith</a>, <a href="/facts/Bah%C3%A1%27u%27ll%C3%A1h/rFtjLI74">Bahá'u'lláh</a> gives an interpretation of Matthew 24:29-31 in his major theological work <i><a href="/facts/Kit%C3%A1b-i-%C3%8Dq%C3%A1n/njXwWMr6">Kitáb-i-Íqán</a></i> (<i>The Book of Certitude</i>),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a> giving detailed explanations about the <a href="/facts/Allegory/RKXvafFK">allegorical</a> meanings of each of these phrases.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a> </p> <h3>Verse 35</h3> <i>Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30"><sup>30</sup></a> <p>Jesus’ words refer to an Old Testament saying recorded in <a href="/facts/Isaiah_51:6/fIKk2RJI">Isaiah 51:6</a>: </p> <i>For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,</i> <i>The earth will grow old like a garment,</i> <i>And those who dwell in it will die in like manner;</i> <i>But My salvation will be forever,</i> <i>And My righteousness will not be abolished.</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31"><sup>31</sup></a> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Noah/IklCsV5Q">Noah</a> [<i>relevant?</i>]</li> <li><a href="/facts/Noah%27s_Ark/gEaMFrjE">Noah's Ark</a> [<i>relevant?</i>]</li> <li><a href="/facts/Noah%27s_Flood/EbjQQLmK">Noah's Flood</a> [<i>relevant?</i>]</li> <li>Other related <a href="/facts/Bible/SqkRTKCh">Bible</a> parts: <a href="/facts/Genesis_6/lKIpxPeo">Genesis 6</a>, <a href="/facts/Genesis_7/lKIpxPeo">Genesis 7</a>, <a href="/facts/Isaiah_51/fIKk2RJI">Isaiah 51</a>, <a href="/facts/Jeremiah_15/EbGqYzQI">Jeremiah 15</a>, <a href="/facts/Daniel_11/zVpU7SsK">Daniel 11</a>, <a href="/facts/Daniel_12/zVpU7SsK">Daniel 12</a>, <a href="/facts/Matthew_25/JCpF5AUF">Matthew 25</a>, <a href="/facts/Mark_13/RAwLKJJ1">Mark 13</a>, <a href="/facts/Luke_12/pfq1CnzR">Luke 12</a>, <a href="/facts/Luke_17/r14qIIMj">Luke 17</a>, <a href="/facts/Luke_21/xTQ407fo">Luke 21</a>, <a href="/facts/2_Peter_3/GUBjkPSf">2 Peter 3</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Rapture/hq4knmvP">Rapture</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Joseph_Smith%E2%80%93Matthew/f3xlWEF2">Joseph Smith–Matthew</a>, a retranslation of Matthew 24</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li>Matthew 24 King James Bible - Wikisource</li> <li><a href="http://www.latinvulgate.com/lv/verse.aspx?t=1&b=1&c=24">English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Matthew+24"><i>Online Bible</i> at GospelHall.org</a> (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)</li> <li><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=24">Multiple Bible versions at <i>Bible Gateway</i></a> (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Jerusalem Bible (1966), sub-title for Matthew 24-25 <a href="/wiki/Jerusalem_Bible" target="_blank">/wiki/Jerusalem_Bible</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Carr, A., Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: Matthew 24, accessed 10 October 2019 <a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/matthew/24.htm" target="_blank">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/matthew/24.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Halley, Henry H. Halley's Bible Handbook: an Abbreviated Bible Commentary. 23rd edition, Zondervan Publishing House. 1962. <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Jerusalem Bible (1966) at Matthew 24:1 <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>New Living Translation <a href="http://biblehub.com/nlt/matthew/24.htm" target="_blank">http://biblehub.com/nlt/matthew/24.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible on Matthew 24, accessed 19 February 2017 <a href="http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/matthew/24.htm" target="_blank">http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/matthew/24.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Carr, A., Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: Matthew 24, accessed 10 October 2019 <a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/matthew/24.htm" target="_blank">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/matthew/24.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Allison, D., 56. Matthew, in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary <a href="https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43" target="_blank">https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Matthew 24:2 <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:2&version=nkjv" target="_blank">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:2&version=nkjv</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Wesley, J., Wesley's Notes on the Bible on Matthew 24, accessed 19 February 2017 <a href="http://biblehub.com/commentaries/wes/matthew/24.htm" target="_blank">http://biblehub.com/commentaries/wes/matthew/24.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Carr, A., Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: Matthew 24, accessed 10 October 2019 <a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/matthew/24.htm" target="_blank">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/matthew/24.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Allison, D., 56. Matthew, in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary <a href="https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43" target="_blank">https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Matthew 24:5: NKJV <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:5&version=nkjv" target="_blank">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:5&version=nkjv</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Matthew 24:5: Geneva Bible <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:5&version=gnv" target="_blank">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:5&version=gnv</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Matthew 24:5: KJV <a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Matthew#24:5" target="_blank">https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Matthew#24:5</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Matthew 24:5: NMB <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:5&version=nmb" target="_blank">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:5&version=nmb</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>BibleGateway.com, New Matthew Bible: Version Information, accessed 10 October 2019 <a href="/wiki/BibleGateway.com" target="_blank">/wiki/BibleGateway.com</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>Carr, A., Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: Matthew 24, accessed 10 October 2019 <a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/matthew/24.htm" target="_blank">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/matthew/24.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>Matthew 24:9: New American Bible Revised Edition <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:9&version=nabre" target="_blank">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:9&version=nabre</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>Allison, D., 56. Matthew, in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary <a href="https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43" target="_blank">https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>Matthew 24:15: NKJV <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:15&version=nkjv" target="_blank">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:15&version=nkjv</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>Matthew 24:15: NRSV <a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew%2024:15&version=nrsv" target="_blank">https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew%2024:15&version=nrsv</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>Matthew 24:20: Revised Standard Version <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:20&version=rsv" target="_blank">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:20&version=rsv</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>Matthew 24:20: Expanded Bible <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:20&version=exb" target="_blank">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24:20&version=exb</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>Allison, D., 56. Matthew, in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary <a href="https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43" target="_blank">https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>Matthew 24:29–31 KJV <a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Matthew#24:29" target="_blank">https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Matthew#24:29</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>Bahá'u'lláh (1931). Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude. Translated by Effendi, Shoghi. Baháʹí publishing committee. OCLC 603643768. Paragraphs 24-51, 66-87. <a href="/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%27u%27ll%C3%A1h" target="_blank">/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%27u%27ll%C3%A1h</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>Dunbar, Hooper C. (1998). A Companion to the Study of the Kitáb-i-Íqán. Oxford, United Kingdom: George Ronald. pp. 52–53. ISBN 0-85398-430-1. <a href="0-85398-430-1" target="_blank">0-85398-430-1</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:29"><p>Buck, Christopher (1995). Symbol & Secret. Los Angeles, US: Kalimát Press. pp. 120–126. ISBN 0-933770-80-4. <a href="0-933770-80-4" target="_blank">0-933770-80-4</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:30"><p>Matthew 24:35: KJV <a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Matthew#24:35" target="_blank">https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)/Matthew#24:35</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:31"><p>Isaiah 51:6: NKJV <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+51:6&version=nkjv" target="_blank">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+51:6&version=nkjv</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>