Question of the Week: What did Jesus mean in Matthew 24:34 when He used the word “generation?”
In order to understand what someone meant when they said something, it’s important to first hear everything they said. It is also equally important not to conclude things that contradict other things that they said. And if this statement is recorded in a book (or series of books) about that person, it should also be taken into consideration where else that word is used in order to properly conclude its intended meaning.
What did Jesus say when He used the word “generation” in Matthew 24:34? First consider the fact that there are 33 verses that lead up to the 34th verse in Matthew 24, as well as 17 that come after it. Second, understand that this statement is made in the middle of Jesus using a parable. The parable of the fig tree to be exact. And third, the verse as a whole makes no sense if read in isolation. What things must take place before this “generation” passes away? It is a statement made in a much broader context that needs to be understood as a whole, rather than a doctrine that is established by a single verse.
The Immediate Context:
“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. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Matthew 24:32-35 (NKJV)
The Whole Context: Matthew 24:3-44
Key Passages:
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:9-14 (NKJV)
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
Matthew 24:21-22 (NKJV)
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 24:29-30 (NKJV)
Hopefully it’s plain to see Jesus is speaking of a time in the future leading up to the parable of the fig tree that is referencing the End Times. The Great Tribulation, Jacob’s Trouble, and many other names are given to this time period. However, in order to properly recognize what “generation” is referring to, we need to first understand what things must be fulfilled before that generation passes away. If the Tribulation hasn’t happened yet, then our understanding of the word “generation” needs to be understood in light of that context lest we come to conclusions that make Jesus out to be mistaken, lying, or unintelligible. It’s fair to give Him the benefit of the doubt in those regards. Especially since this chapter began with a prophecy about Herod’s Temple being destroyed that was fulfilled in 70AD. He has the right to tell us about the future given His track record has been pretty good so far.
What can’t generation mean?
1. It can’t be referring to the generation of people hearing Jesus speak these words. The entirety of Jesus’ audience in the 1st century did not see the second coming of Christ, the Great Tribulation, or the kinds of events Jesus described as leading up to the end on a global scale. Too much of the chapter has to be allegorized a priori to the point Jesus is making, instead of letting Jesus’ point set the standard for what He’s talking about.
2. It can’t be referring to the generation that saw Israel restored as a nation in 1948. While it was certainly a fulfillment of prophecy, reading more prophecies into this event that simply aren’t warranted are how false doctrines start.
3. It can’t be a metric by which we can determine when Jesus will return. He goes out of His way to spend the next 8 verses of the chapter to clarify no man knows the day or the hour of His coming. If Jesus’ next words prevent a possible interpretation of His previous words, that’s our cue to consider other options.
What could generation mean?
1. It could be referring to the Jewish people as a whole. Generation has been used in scripture to describe a particular people living at a specific period of time. However, looking for examples are a non-starter since the rest of the information we have in the chapter don’t allow that kind of interpretation. Jesus isn’t date setting. That is why Generation, or Genea in the original language, is a term that can also be referring to a people as a whole. That interpretation would be appropriate given the fact that we are still seeing its fulfillment to this day. Despite being cut off from any common homeland, Israel has defied all rules of anthropology that determine a culture loses their cultural identity within 5 generations separated from their place of origin. In spite of this, The Jewish people have retained their traditions, history, customs, and everything else expected to be adopted from their surroundings for 2000 years.
If your interpretation of scripture makes Jesus a liar, His next words into nonsense, or contradicts other statements made in the Bible, you need to check your interpretation. If Generation can’t mean what it’s commonly advertised to, then don’t fall in line with the most common error and take the position that makes the most sense. Always follow more context to determine meaning over less.
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