Truly I tell youThis phrase emphasizes the certainty and authority of Jesus' statement. In the Gospels, Jesus often uses "Truly I tell you" to introduce important teachings or prophecies. It underscores His role as a prophet and the Son of God, whose words are trustworthy and reliable. This introduction is a call for the listeners to pay close attention to what follows, as it carries significant weight.
this generation
The term "this generation" has been the subject of much debate. In the immediate context, it could refer to the people living at the time of Jesus, suggesting that some of the events He described would occur within their lifetime. Historically, this aligns with the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70. Alternatively, "this generation" could be interpreted more broadly to mean the Jewish people or humanity as a whole, indicating a longer timeline for the fulfillment of these prophecies. The phrase is also seen in other parts of the Gospels, often referring to the contemporaries of Jesus who witnessed His ministry.
will not pass away
This phrase suggests a sense of urgency and inevitability. It implies that the events Jesus is predicting are certain to occur and that the current generation will witness them. The use of "pass away" can also be seen as a reminder of the transient nature of human life and history, contrasting with the eternal nature of God's word and promises.
until all these things have happened
"All these things" refers to the events Jesus described earlier inMatthew 24, including wars, famines, earthquakes, and the persecution of believers. These are often interpreted as signs of the end times or the coming of God's kingdom. The phrase indicates that these events are part of a divine plan and must occur before the fulfillment of God's ultimate purpose. This connects to other prophetic scriptures, such as Daniel and Revelation, which also describe end-time events. The assurance that "all these things" will happen underscores the comprehensive nature of God's prophetic timeline and the certainty of its fulfillment.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this prophecy, Jesus is addressing His disciples on the Mount of Olives, providing them with insights into future events.
2.
The DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' discourse, they are seeking understanding about the signs of the end times and the coming of the Kingdom.
3.
Mount of OlivesThe location where Jesus delivers the Olivet Discourse, a significant place in biblical prophecy and Jesus' ministry.
4.
This GenerationA term used by Jesus that has been the subject of much debate, often interpreted as the people living at the time of Jesus, or symbolically as a type of people or era.
5.
End Times EventsThe events Jesus describes in the preceding verses, including wars, famines, earthquakes, and the abomination of desolation.
Teaching Points
Understanding This GenerationExplore the different interpretations of "this generation" and how they impact our understanding of prophecy.
Encourage believers to study the context and original Greek word (genea), which can mean a race, family, or generation.
The Certainty of ProphecyEmphasize the reliability of Jesus' words and the certainty of prophetic fulfillment.
Encourage trust in God's sovereign plan and timing, even when it seems delayed.
Living with ExpectancyChallenge believers to live with a sense of urgency and readiness for Christ's return.
Encourage a lifestyle of holiness and evangelism, motivated by the knowledge that prophetic events are unfolding.
Interpreting Signs of the TimesDiscuss the importance of discerning the signs of the times without falling into speculation or fear.
Encourage a balanced approach to eschatology that focuses on faithfulness rather than date-setting.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 24:34?
2.How does Matthew 24:34 encourage us to trust in Jesus' prophetic words?
3.What does "this generation will not pass away" mean in Matthew 24:34?
4.How can Matthew 24:34 strengthen our faith in God's promises today?
5.How does Matthew 24:34 connect with other end-times prophecies in Scripture?
6.How should Matthew 24:34 influence our daily readiness for Christ's return?
7.What does "this generation" refer to in Matthew 24:34?
8.How does Matthew 24:34 align with historical events?
9.Does Matthew 24:34 challenge the concept of biblical inerrancy?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 24?
11.What did Jesus mean by "This generation will not pass"?
12.How can Matthew 24:34 claim “this generation will not pass away” before these events occur, when nearly two millennia have passed?
13.Why do early Christians reinterpret Jesus’ failed prophecies instead of acknowledging errors?
14.What does Preterism mean?What Does Matthew 24:34 Mean
Truly• Jesus begins with a solemn “Amen,” a strong affirmation that what follows is absolutely dependable (Matthew 5:18;Revelation 21:5).
• He is emphasizing certainty; nothing in what He is about to say is figurative wish-fulfillment—it is guaranteed.
I tell you• The phrase underscores personal authority. The One speaking is the Messiah who has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
• Just as His word calmed storms (Mark 4:39) and raised the dead (John 11:43-44), His prophetic word will unfailingly shape history.
this generation• In the immediate context, “generation” points to the people who will witness the end-time signs Jesus just listed (Matthew 24:4-33).
• Cross references reinforce this time-bound promise:Mark 13:30 andLuke 21:32 echo the same assurance.
• The term can also carry the sense of a moral generation—those characterized by unbelief (Philippians 2:15)—yet here, Jesus ties it directly to the fulfillment of specific observable events.
• Therefore, the most natural reading: the generation living when the prophesied tribulation signs unfold will remain alive to see Christ’s return (Revelation 6–19), preserving the literal integrity of the prophecy.
will not pass away• “Pass away” points to physical death and disappearance (James 1:10-11). Jesus guarantees that the identified generation will endure long enough to see prophecy completed.
• This mirrors God’s pattern of setting time limits (Genesis 15:13-16;Exodus 12:40-41), showing His faithfulness to keep promises within clearly defined periods.
until all these things have happened• “All these things” includes:
– Global deception and false christs (Matthew 24:5)
– Wars, famines, and earthquakes (24:6-8)
– Worldwide persecution and gospel proclamation (24:9-14)
– The abomination of desolation (24:15; cf.Daniel 9:27)
– Cosmic disturbances and the visible return of Christ (24:29-31)
• Nothing on that list will be left unfinished; God’s plan reaches total completion before the generation’s course ends (Isaiah 55:11;2 Peter 3:9).
summaryJesus, with absolute authority, promises that the very generation witnessing the climactic end-time signs will still be present when He returns in glory. His words affirm the reliability of every prophetic detail, assuring believers that God’s timetable is precise, His purposes unstoppable, and His kingdom certain to come exactly as foretold.
(34)
This generation shall notpass . . .--The natural meaning of the words is, beyond question. that which takes "generation" in the ordinary sense (as in
Matthew 1:17,
Acts 13:36, and elsewhere) for those who are living at any given period. So it was on "this generation" (
Matthew 23:36) that the accumulated judgments were to fall. The desire to bring the words into more apparent harmony with history has led some interpreters to take "generation" in the sense of "race" or "people," and so to see in the words a prophecy of the perpetuity of the existence of the Jews as a distinct people till the end of the world. But for this meaning there is not the shadow of authority; nor does it remove the difficulty which it was invented to explain. The words of
Matthew 16:28 state the same fact in language which does not admit of any such explanation.
Till all these things be fulfilled.--Better,till all these things come to pass. The words do not necessarily imply more than the commencement of a process, the first unrolling of the scroll of the coming ages.
Verse 34. -
This generation. Our Lord's assertion has given rise to sceptical observations, as if his prophecy had failed. Alford has endeavoured to remove objections by taking
γενεὰ as equivalent to
γένος, a race or family of people, and referring it to the continued existence of the Jews. He cites
Jeremiah 8:3 (Septuagint);
Matthew 12:45;
Matthew 17:17;
Matthew 23:36, etc., in confirmation of this signification. His examples, however, are not unassailable, though such use is certainly classical; but it the same time, it is unlikely that Christ should thus indefinitely postpone a period of infinite importance to his hearers. But there is no necessity for assuming any unusual meaning in the term "this generation." Its plain and obvious reference is to the contemporaries of the speaker, or those who shall live some thirty or forty years longer; this period would bring them to the siege of Jerusalem. And remembering that Christ has drawn no definite line between this crisis and the final consummation, we are justified in regarding all these things as meaning, primarily, the signs preceding or accompanying the downfall of the city. In a secondary sense, "this generation" may mean the spiritual Israel, the generation of them that seek the Lord (
Psalm 24:6). "All these things shall surely come to pass," says Chrysostom, "and the generation of the faithful shall remain, cut off by none of the things that have been mentioned. For both Jerusalem shall perish, and the more part of the Jews shall be destroyed, but over this generation shall nothing prevail - not famine, not pestilence, not earthquake, not the tumults of wars, not false Christs, not false prophets, not deceivers, not traitors, not those that cause to offend, nor the false brethren, nor any other such-like temptations whatever." Some critics have combined the three meanings of "generation" given above, and have seen in Christ's words a threefold reference, first, to the contemporary people; secondly, to the Jewish nation; thirdly, to the Christian believers or dispensation. According to Lange, "this generation" means the generation of those who know and discern these signs.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Trulyἀμὴν(amēn)Hebrew Word
Strong's 281:Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.I tellλέγω(legō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.you,ὑμῖν(hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.thisαὕτη(hautē)Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.generationγενεὰ(genea)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1074:From genos; a generation; by implication, an age.{will} notοὐ(ou)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.pass awayπαρέλθῃ(parelthē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3928:From para and erchomai; to come near or aside, i.e. To approach, go by, perish or neglect, avert.untilἕως(heōs)Conjunction
Strong's 2193:A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.allπάντα(panta)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.these thingsταῦτα(tauta)Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.have happened.γένηται(genētai)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 24:34 Most certainly I tell you this generation (Matt. Mat Mt) 
