Order in the Bible part 1 | Category Gospel | |
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Matthew 24 is the twenty-fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the Olivet Discourse spoken by Jesus Christ and his prediction of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Matthew the Apostle composed this Gospel.
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Structure
This chapter can be grouped (with cross references to other parts of the Bible):
Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple
In the preceding chapters, Jesus has been teaching in the Temple and debating with the Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees. Jesus and his disciples leave the Temple (Matthew 24:1), or the temple grounds in the New Living Translation, never to return. Jesus predicts that "not one stone shall be left here upon another". The prediction follows the sentiments expressed by Jesus in Matthew 23:37-38:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... See! Your house is left to you desolate.Methodist founder John Wesley says that the prediction was "most punctually fulfilled", in that the majority of the temple buildings were burned and then dug up on the orders of the invading Roman general Titus in 70 AD.
Mount of Olives
Jesus and his disciples proceed to the Mount of Olives, where a "private" conversation takes place regarding "the end of the age". Jesus' words here are referred to at the "Little Apocalypse" or "Olivet Discourse". Jesus appears to have led ahead of his disciples (Matthew 24:3), who come to him to enquire about the timing and signification of his parousia (Greek: παρουσιας). Mark 13:30 states that only Peter, James, John and Andrew came to speak with him.
Verse 15
Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)Citation from Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11
Verse 35
King James Version
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.Jesus' words refer to an Old Testament saying recorded in Isaiah 51:6.
Verse 36
New King James Version
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.Verse 37
New King James Version
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.Verse 38
New King James Version
For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark.Verse 39
New King James Version
and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.