ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Matthew 24

Matt. 24:1–25:46 The Delay, Return, and Judgment of the Messiah. These two chapters are often called the “Olivet Discourse” because Jesus “sat on the Mount of Olives” when he spoke these words (24:3). It is the fifth of Jesus’ five major teachings recorded in Matthew. Jesus is speaking to his disciples, giving them a prophetic overview of events to come in the near and distant future.

Matt. 24:1 left the temple. The road from Jerusalem to Bethany, where Jesus and his disciples are staying, provides a spectacular view of the temple in the distance.

Matt. 24:2 Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled in a.d. 70 when the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.

Matt. 24:3 The disciples ask two questions: (1) when will these things be, and (2) what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? Jesus’ answer apparently combines the destruction of Jerusalem and his second coming. The near event (the destruction of Jerusalem) is a symbol and foreshadowing of the more distant event (the second coming).

Matt. 24:8 Birth pains indicates that there will be a time of suffering prior to the messianic age (compare Rom. 8:22–23). Prophets used the metaphor of birth pains to describe terrible suffering in general (see Isa. 13:8; 42:14; Jer. 30:5–7) as well as specific suffering that Israel will endure prior to her deliverance (see Isa. 26:17–19; Mic. 4:9–10).

Matt. 24:13 end. Either the end of the persecution, when the Son of Man returns (see 10:23), or the end of one’s life. will be saved. Not from physical death (see 24:21–22) but from divine wrath and human persecution. Saved persons will experience the full blessing and peace of salvation when Jesus returns.

Matt. 24:15 Daniel 9:27 tells of the abomination of desolation. Several times in Jewish history, it was thought that this prophecy was being fulfilled. But Jesus clarifies that the complete fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy will be found in (1) the destruction of the temple in a.d. 70 and (2) the setting up of the image of the Antichrist in the last days (compare 2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:14).

Matt. 24:16 flee to the mountains. During the Jewish revolt (a.d. 67), Jesus’ warning was fulfilled when Christians fled to the mountains of Pella.

Matt. 24:22 if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. Some suggest this means that, if God’s wrath against sin were to continue unchecked, no one would survive the destruction. Others see a reference to a cutting short of either the seventieth “seven” (week) of Dan. 9:27 or the 42 months of Rev. 11:2. The elect includes all those who follow Christ during this predicted time of suffering (see Matt. 24:24, 31).

Matt. 24:28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. Just as people from far away can see vultures circling high in the air, Christ’s return in judgment will be visible and inescapable. The vultures may suggest the widespread death that will accompany Christ’s return to judge unbelievers.

Matt. 24:29 sun . . . moon . . . stars . . . powers. Some consider this to be entirely literal language (as in Ex. 10:21–23 and Matt. 27:45). Others take it as a mixture of literal and poetic language. Still others take it as entirely poetic, representing political judgment on nations and governments (compare Isa. 13:10; 34:4; Ezek. 32:7). The idea of the stars falling and the heavens being rolled up is mentioned elsewhere in the NT (see 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 6:13–14). However one interprets these events, it is clear that all creation will be radically transformed at the return of Christ. (See Isa. 65:17; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1.)

Matt. 24:30 sign of the Son of Man. Some suggest that this is a kind of heavenly banner that will open in the heavens as Christ returns in “power and great glory.” Others understand it to be the arrival of the Son of Man himself (see 16:27; 26:64). mourn. Either a sorrow that produces repentance, or a great sadness of regret in light of coming judgment. they will see the Son of Man (see note on 8:20) coming on the clouds of heaven. This recalls Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 7:13–14) and points to Jesus’ return at the end of the age (see 2 Thess. 1:7–10; Rev. 19:11–16). with power and great glory. Christ will be revealed as the eternal ruler of the kingdom of God (see Dan. 7:13–14).

Matt. 24:31 In both Jewish and Christian writings (Isa. 18:3; 27:13; 1 Cor. 15:51–52; 1 Thess. 4:16), a trumpet call is associated with the Messiah’s arrival.

Matt. 24:34 this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Several interpretations have been offered as to what “this generation” refers to: (1) the disciples who were alive when Jesus was speaking, with “all these things” referring to the beginning but not the completion of the sufferings described in vv. 4–25; (2) Jesus’ disciples who see the destruction of the temple in a.d. 70 and also those at the end of the age who see the events surrounding the “abomination of desolation” (v. 15); (3) people who display a certain quality, that is, either (a) “this generation of believers” throughout the entire present age, or (b) “this evil generation” that will remain until Christ returns (compare 12:45; Luke 11:29); (4) the “generation” or “race” of the Jewish people, who will not pass away until Christ returns; or (5) the generation that is alive when the final period of great tribulation begins.

Matt. 24:35 my words will not pass away. Jesus’ teaching has divine authority and permanence. It is greater even than heaven and earth.

Matt. 24:36 no one knows, not even . . . the Son, but the Father only. In his life on earth, Jesus learned things as other human beings learn them (see Luke 2:52; Heb. 5:8). Yet Jesus was also fully God. As God, he could know things that only God knows (see John 16:30; 21:17). Here he is apparently speaking in terms of his human nature (see Matt. 4:2; Luke 2:40; John 4:6), not exercising his omniscience.

Matt. 24:40–41 taken . . . left. The description may indicate that one is taken away to final judgment (see v. 39) while the other remains to experience salvation at Christ’s return. Or possibly the one who is taken is among the elect that the Son of Man will “gather . . . from the four winds” (v. 31).

Matt. 24:42 stay awake. On readiness for Christ’s return, see 1 Thess. 5:1–11; 1 Pet. 4:7; 2 Pet. 3:2–18.

Matt. 24:48–51 delayed. The behavior of the wicked servant shows that he is a false disciple (see Gal. 5:19–21) and deserves judgment.