Matthew · chapter 24 of 28
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Matthew 24 contains the first part of the Olivet Discourse. Jesus announces that the temple will be destroyed, warns of deception, wars and persecution before the end, speaks of a great tribulation and of his visible coming, and teaches watchfulness because no one knows the day or hour. It closes with the parable of the faithful and the wicked servant.
After leaving the temple in chapter 23, the disciples admire its buildings, and Jesus announces its ruin. This chapter is difficult to interpret and Christians understand it in different ways, but its pastoral message is clear: watch, persevere and be ready for the Lord's coming.
As Jesus leaves the temple, the disciples point out its buildings, and he says not one stone will be left on another. On the Mount of Olives, the disciples ask when this will happen and what will be the sign of his coming and of the end of the age. Jesus warns that no one should lead them astray: many will come in his name saying they are the Christ, there will be wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes, but the end is not yet; these are the beginning of birth pains. They will be delivered up to tribulation and hated, many will grow cold in love, but the one who endures to the end will be saved, and the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world, and then the end will come.
Jesus speaks of the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel standing in the holy place, and tells those in Judea to flee to the mountains. Then there will be great tribulation, with the days cut short for the sake of the elect. He warns against false christs and says his coming will be visible like lightning that comes from the east and shines as far as the west.
After the tribulation, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light and the stars will fall; then the sign of the Son of Man will appear, he will come on the clouds with power and glory, and send his angels to gather the elect. Jesus teaches the parable of the fig tree: when its branches become tender, summer is near; so when you see all these things, know that he is near.
About that day and hour no one knows, not the angels nor the Son, but the Father only. Jesus commands watchfulness, because they do not know on what day their Lord is coming, and tells of a faithful and wise servant who cares for others and is found so when his master returns, while the wicked servant who beats his fellow servants and gets drunk will be punished.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Jesus says this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. The mission of announcing the gospel is part of God's plan before the consummation.
Jesus declares that they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Unlike the false christs, his coming will be public and visible to all.
About that day and hour no one knows, not the angels of heaven nor the Son, but the Father only. This statement discourages date-setting and calls for living with vigilance and trust.
Jesus commands them to watch, because they do not know on what day their Lord is coming, and to be ready because he will come when they do not expect him. The teaching about the future aims to produce faithful living today, not speculation.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: That not one stone would be left upon another, for all would be thrown down. — Matthew 24:2
Answer: Not to be led astray, since many would come in his name. — Matthew 24:4-5
Answer: That it would be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations. — Matthew 24:14
Answer: Visible, on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. — Matthew 24:27-30
Answer: Only the Father. — Matthew 24:36
Answer: To watch and be ready. — Matthew 24:42-44
Jesus' teaching about the future is not meant to satisfy curiosity but to form faithful disciples. In a small group you can talk about what it means to watch: it is not living in fear or calculating dates, but joyfully carrying out the task Jesus gave us while we await his return.
The parable of the faithful servant asks how I treat those around me when no one is supervising. Ask what responsibility you have today in your family, church or work and how you can fulfill it as if the Lord were arriving today.
Matthew 24 teaches us to await the coming of the Son of Man with perseverance, without dates and with faithfulness. Chapter 25 continues the discourse with three parables: the ten virgins, the talents and the judgment of the sheep and the goats.
Christians interpret it in different ways. Some see much of the chapter as speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the events of that generation, others apply it mainly to the end of history, and many see a double fulfillment. All agree on the exhortation to watch and persevere.
It is an expression from the book of Daniel that Jesus cites. It has been understood as a reference to the desecration of the temple by Roman armies in AD 70, as a future event, or both. Matthew invites the reader to understand, which suggests a recognizable event that would call for fleeing without delay.
Interpreters understand it in several ways: the generation that would see the destruction of the temple, the generation that sees the signs of the end, or the people of Israel, who will endure. The text affirms above all that what was announced will certainly happen, because Jesus' words will not pass away.