Matthew 24
24
Jesus Prophesies the Destruction of the Temple
1As Jesus was leaving the temple courts, his disciples came to him and pointed out the beautiful architecture of the temple. 2And Jesus turned to them and said, “Take a good look at all these things, for I’m telling you, there will not be one stone left upon another. It will all be leveled!” # 24:2 This prophecy of Jesus was fulfilled by the Roman prince Titus, who, in the Roman war of AD 67–70, destroyed the temple. In about AD 135 the emperor Hadrian completely destroyed the city of Jerusalem and built a new city on its foundations and named it Aelia Capitolina.
3Later, when they arrived at the Mount of Olives, his disciples came privately to where he was sitting and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what sign should we expect to signal your coming # 24:3 Or “presence” (Gr. parousia). and the completion of this age?” # 24:3 Although it is possible to translate this “the end of the world,” the Hebraic mind-set of the end of days is a transition into a new age of the Messiah’s coming when all things will be restored.
4Jesus answered, “At that time deception will run rampant. So beware that you are not fooled! 5For many will appear on the scene claiming my authority or saying about themselves, ‘I am the Anointed One,’ and they will lead many astray.
6“You will hear of wars and revolutions on every side, with more rumors of wars to come. Don’t panic or give in to your fears, for the breaking apart of the world’s systems is destined to happen. But it won’t yet be the end; it will still be unfolding.
7“Nations # 24:7 Or “ethnic group.” See 2 Chron. 15:6; Isa. 19:2. will go to war against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms. And there will be terrible earthquakes, horrible epidemics, # 24:7 Although missing from a few Greek manuscripts, “horrible epidemics” is found in the Hebrew Matthew, the Aramaic, and the majority of Greek texts. and famines in place after place. 8This is how the birth pains of the new age will begin!” # 24:8 The Passion Translation is aware of distorted use of the words “new age”; however, true believers in Christ anticipate the coming of a new day (age) dawning, with Christ and his bride ruling the nations. See Joel 2; Rev. 3:21.
Persecution of Believers
9“You can expect to be persecuted, even killed; for you will be hated by all the nations because of your love for me. # 24:9 Or “because of my name.” 10Then many will stop following me and fall away, # 24:10 Or “Many will stumble” (or take offense). and they will betray one another and hate one another. 11And many lying prophets will arise, deceiving multitudes and leading them away from the path of truth. 12There will be such an increase of the sin of lawlessness that those whose hearts once burned with passion for God and others will grow cold. 13But hold your hope # 24:13 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “endure.” firmly to the end and you will experience life and deliverance.
14“Yet through it all, the good news of heaven’s kingdom will be proclaimed all over the world, providing every nation with a demonstration of the reality of God. And after that the end of this age will arrive.”
The Detestable Idol That Brings Misery
15“When you witness what Daniel prophesied, ‘the disgusting destroyer,’ # 24:15 Or “the abomination [sin] that brings desolation [desecration].” See Dan. 8:13; 9:27; 11:31; 12:11. Jesus is saying that Daniel’s prophecy was not yet fulfilled in Jesus’ time. Many see the fulfillment of this prophecy in AD 70, when Titus, the Roman prince, went into the temple and sacrificed animals to Jupiter. taking its stand # 24:15 The Aramaic is “the defiling sign of desolation piling up (setting up) in the Holy Place.” in the Holy Place [let the reader learn], # 24:15 These parenthetical words were added by Matthew to encourage us to seek the Lord for the understanding of this mystery. Jesus, speaking in the role of the True Prophet, gives us truth to ponder in veiled language. 16then those in the land of Judah must escape to the higher ground. # 24:16 See Jer. 16:16; Zech. 14:5; Luke 21:20–22. 17On that day, if you happen to be outside, # 24:17 Or “on the roof.” don’t go back inside to gather belongings. 18And if you’re working out in the field, don’t run back home to get a coat. 19It will be especially hard for pregnant women and for those nursing their babies in those days. 20So pray that your escape will not be during the winter months or on a Sabbath. 21For this will be a time of great misery beyond the magnitude of anything the world has ever seen or ever will see. Unless God limited those days, no one would escape. 22But because of his love for those chosen to be his, he will shorten that time of trouble.
23“And you will hear reports from some, saying, ‘Look, he has returned,’ ‘The Messiah is over here,’ or ‘The Messiah is over there!’ Don’t believe it. 24For there will be imposters falsely claiming to be God’s ‘Anointed One,’ and false prophets # 24:24 The Aramaic is “prophets of lies.” will arise to perform miracle signs to lead astray, if possible, those God has chosen to be his. 25Remember this, for I prophesy it will happen! 26So if someone says to you, ‘Look, the Anointed One has returned! He’s in the desert,’ don’t go chasing after him. Or if they say to you, ‘Look, he’s here in our house,’ # 24:26 Or “in the inner rooms.” don’t believe it. 27The appearing # 24:27 Or “presence” (Gr. parousia). of the Son of Man will burst forth with the brightness of lightning shining from the eastern sky to the west. 28How do birds of prey know where the dead body is? # 24:28 Or “Wherever you find the corpse, there the eagles will gather.” This peculiar verse is best understood as a parallel of vultures knowing where the carcass is (for example) to how instinctively believers will know when Jesus has appeared. They just know instinctively, and so you will know when I appear.”
The Appearing of the Son of Man
29“Then immediately this is what will take place: ‘The sun will be darkened and the moon give no light. The stars will fall from the sky and all the cosmic powers will be shaken.’ # 24:29 See Isa. 13:10; 34:4; Joel 2:10; Amos 8:9. This can also be viewed as a Hebraic metaphor of the lights of the natural realm being shut off and replaced with heaven’s glory—lights out on the old order. Sun, moon, and stars are also representative of the governmental structures failing with great calamity. A new order, a new glory, is coming to replace the fading glories of this world. 30Then the sign announcing the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn over him. # 24:30 See Zech. 12:10–14; Rev. 1:7. And they will see the Son of Man appearing in the clouds of heaven, revealed with mighty power, # 24:30 The Hebrew Matthew is “mighty warriors.” great splendor, and glory. 31And he will send his messengers with the loud blast of the trumpet, # 24:31 There is always a deeper meaning to the literal understanding of the text of the Bible. This deeper meaning does not negate the literal, but gives a fuller comprehension. Clouds are metaphors of God’s presence among his people. The trumpet blast is symbolic of the universal announcement that will be heard by all. and with a great voice # 24:31 As translated from the Hebrew Matthew, which can also be translated “with a great shout.” This is also found in the Latin Vulgate translated by Jerome, who is believed to have had access to the manuscript of the Hebrew Matthew. they will gather his beloved chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other!”
A Parable of the Fig Tree
32“Now learn the lesson from the parable of the fig tree. When spring arrives and it sends out its tender branches and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. 33So it will be with you, for when you observe all these things taking place, you will know that he is near, even at the door! 34I assure you, the end of this age # 24:34 Or “generation.” will not come until all I have spoken comes to pass. 35The earth and sky will wear out and fade away before one word I speak loses its power or fails to accomplish its purpose.”
Live Always Ready for His Appearing
36“Concerning that day and exact hour, no one knows when it will arrive, not even the angels of heaven # 24:36 A few Greek manuscripts add “nor the Son.” However, that phrase is missing in many Greek texts and is not found in the Hebrew Matthew, the Aramaic, or the Latin Vulgate. —only the Father knows. 37For it will be like it was in the days of Noah when the Son of Man appears. # 24:37 Or “so it will be in the Lord’s presence” (Gr. parousia). 38Before the flood, people lived their lives eating, drinking, marrying, and having children. # 24:38 As translated from the Hebrew Matthew, which is literally “being fruitful and multiplying” (having children). The Greek is “marrying and giving in marriage.” 39They didn’t realize the end was near until Noah entered the ark, and then suddenly, the flood came and took them all away in judgment. It will happen the same way when the Son of Man appears. 40At that time, two men will be working on the farm; one will be taken away in judgment, the other left. 41Two women will be grinding grain; one will be taken away in judgment, the other left. # 24:41 One of the three manuscripts of the Hebrew Matthew, known as Shem-Tob, includes additional text: “This is because the angels at the end of the age will first remove the stumbling blocks [the wicked] from the world and will separate the good from the evil.” This passage is not speaking of what is known as the “rapture,” for as it was in the days of Noah, the evil were “taken” and the righteous were “left.” 42This is why you must stay alert: because no one knows the day your Lord will come.
43“But realize this: If a homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would come to rob his house, he would have been alert and ready, and not let his house be robbed. 44So always be ready, alert, and prepared, because at an hour when you’re not expecting him, the Son of Man will come.”
The Wise and Faithful Servant
45“What would qualify a servant to manage his master’s house? He would be a wise servant who is both faithful and dependable. The master would commission him to oversee others, for he would lead them well and give them food at the right time. 46What joy and blessing will come to that faithful servant when the master comes home to find him serving with excellence! 47I can promise you, the master will raise him up and put him in charge of all that he owns.
48“But the evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master delays his coming, and who knows when he will return?’ And because of the delay, the servant mistreats those in his master’s household. Instead of caring for the ones he was appointed to serve, 49he abuses the other servants and begins to party with drunkards. 50Let me tell you what will happen to him. His master will suddenly return unexpectedly, and he will remove the abusive, selfish servant from his position of trust. 51And the master will cut him in two # 24:51 Most likely hyperbole. The Greek word dichotomeō could also mean that God “will separate him from himself” (soul and body). and assign him to the place of great sorrow and anguish # 24:51 Or “gnashing of teeth.” along with all the other hypocrites.”
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Matthew 24: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationMatthew 24
24
Signs of Christ’s Return
1Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to Him to call His attention to the [magnificent and massive] #The massive size and polished surfaces of the fitted stones that formed the temple structure created a magnificent sight (cf Luke 21:5). The refurbishing of the temple was begun by Herod the Great in 20 b.c. and was completed in a.d. 64 by Herod Agrippa II. The rabbis had a saying: “Whoever has not seen the temple of Herod has never seen a beautiful building” (as quoted from the Talmud). They also said that Herod built it of yellow, white, and perhaps blue marble; and that he intended to cover it with gold, but the rabbis advised him not to because it was beautiful just as it was, looking like the waves of the sea.buildings of the temple. 2And He said to them, “Do you see all these things? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, not one stone here will be left on another, which will not be torn down.”
3While Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and said, “Tell us, when will this [destruction of the temple] take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?”
4Jesus answered, “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. 5For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ and they will mislead many. 6You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].
9 “Then they will hand you over to [endure] tribulation, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another. 11Many false prophets will appear and mislead many. 12Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. 13But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved. 14This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come.
Perilous Times
15 “So when you see the # I.e. the Antichrist (2 Thess 2:4), “the prince who is to come” who will make a covenant with Israel, then break it in the middle of the tribulation (the seven-year period of Dan 9:27). abomination of desolation [the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place (let the #I.e. the reader of the book of Daniel (cf 24:15). Jesus is indicating that the final fulfillment of this prophecy is yet to come.reader understand), 16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [for refuge]. 17Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things that are in his house [because there will not be enough time]. 18Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 19And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20Pray that your flight [from persecution and suffering] will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath [when Jewish laws prohibit travel]. 21For #The most obvious sign during the tribulation, prior to the second coming of Jesus, is when the abomination that causes desolation (the Antichrist) sets his image in the temple.at that time there will be a great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again]. 22And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened. 23Then if anyone says to you [during the great tribulation], ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it. 24For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones). 25Listen carefully, I have told you in advance. 26So if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms [of a house],’ do not believe it. 27For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]. 28Wherever the corpse is, there the #The Greek for “vultures” can also be translated “eagles,” but the reference is most likely to the vulture, which the Greek word includes with eagles as a class. The meaning of this much discussed verse is either that the corpse represents the returning Christ, whose appearance will attract the attention of the entire world, that is, the vultures; or that the corrupt world is the corpse, about to be judged by the returning Christ (Rev 19:18).vultures will flock together.
The Glorious Return
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not provide its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor]. 31And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet and they will gather together His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Parable of the Fig Tree
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its young shoots become tender and it puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33so you, too, when you see all #I.e. false christs, wars, famines, earthquakes.these things [taking place], know for certain that He is near, right #I.e. the return of the Christ is imminent.at the door. 34I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place. 35Heaven and earth [as now known] will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
36 “But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone. 37For the coming of the Son of Man (the Messiah) will be just like the days of Noah. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah entered the ark, 39and they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be [unexpected judgment]. 40At that time two men will be in the field; one will be #This is not the removal of the church described in 1 Thess 4:13-18 and Rev 3:10. The one taken is taken for judgment just as the wicked were taken by the flood in Noah’s day. The one left is left to enter the kingdom that Christ will establish.taken [for judgment] and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken [for judgment] and one will be left.
Be Ready for His Coming
42 “So be alert [give strict attention, be cautious and active in faith], for you do not know which day [whether near or far] your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: If the head of the house had known what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44Therefore, you [who follow Me] must also be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has put in charge of his household to give the others [in the house] their food and supplies at the proper time? 46Blessed is that [faithful] servant when his master returns and finds him doing so. 47I assure you and most solemnly say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But if that servant is evil and says in his heart, ‘My master is taking his time [he will not return for a long while],’ 49and begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards; 50the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he is not aware, 51and will cut him in two and put him with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].
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