32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Now we come to the first of seven future kingdom parables.
24:32
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree:
Jesus began to apply His teaching about the Tribulation period and the Second Coming by a parable.
A parable is something cast alongside something else. It is a short story that illustrates a principle.
When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
When twigs of fig trees begin to sprout leaves, this is a sure sign that summer is not far away. This is an analogy about the signs of the last half of the Tribulation.
24:33
So you [emphatic] also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
Jesus says that “all” these things (not just some) must come to pass; it is the culmination of all these signs that points to Christ’s coming (vv. 4-31).
24:34
Assuredly [solemn statement], I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
“This generation” is not the generation of Jesus’ day but the generation about which He just spoke—the generation during the Tribulation period and the Second Coming.
24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
God’s promises are sure. It would be easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for God’s words to fail.
PRINCIPLE:
Jesus stakes His credibility on His prediction.
APPLICATION:
God is always true to His Word. We have His solemn assurance of this. God never goes back on His Word; the Word of God stands for eternity.
Hello, I just have a hard time understanding Matthew 24 v 34. You said that “this generation” is refairing to those people at that time of the second coming and not about Jesus generation, but i dont understand this because the fall of jerusalem was in that generation of Jesus time. I would realy apreciat your help with this, thank you and God bless
Philip, this verse is in the context of the Olivet Discourse–chapters 24-25. It is important to keep in mind that this discourse is a prophecy of the coming Tribulation and Millennial Kingdom. In other words, the context is long-range prophecy.
Hey,hey I am not happy you say
…." It is important to keep in mind that this discourse is a prophecy of the coming Tribulation and Millennial Kingdom. In other words, the context is long-range prophecy."
without a scriptural reason!!!No verse in the chapter says so. Also I need an explanation on the word "THIS generation". I don't think the word THIS means THAT. If He was speaking of some future generation he can say THE generation OR THAT generation. And I believe the word THIS shows HIS generation. And HE was rightly prophesying about the seige of jerusalem.
correct me if I am wrong but you got to reason with the scripture and some history if you find it necessary.
thanks
Pentag, thanks for your blog.
Mt 24-25 is prophetic discourse. It is important to keep contextual interpretation in mind (prophetic discourse) when looking at the demonstrative pronoun “this” in verse 34. The entire context of chapters 24-25 is prophetical. Note the phrase in 24:33 “When you see all these things.” The aorist active subjunctive indicates that the subject is not yet a fact but only potential (subjunctive). “This” indeed means “this” in this context and the context is future. Therefore, the "this" in this context is the "this" of a future generation.
Also, the word “generation” can refer to a kind of people or race. Thus, even if Jesus were speaking of Jesus’ present generation, it could carry the idea that the Jewish people will continue until the Second Coming. However, this argument is not as strong as the fact that the context is about prophecy.
Again, Jesus’ disciples asked a question about the return of the Messiah. The answer of Jesus in verse 34 is the answer to that question. Verse 35 also refers to the consummation of all things.