24:1 Jesus went out of the temple courts See 21:23. Matthew 21:23–23:39 took place in the temple.

point out to him The disciples marvel at the beauty of the temple buildings.

24:3 Mount of Olives See 21:1 and note.

these things Refers to the destruction of the temple (see v. 2).

your coming and of the end of the age The disciples assume that these two events will happen at the same time. His return signals the end of world empires and the beginning of His kingdom (similar to Daniel and John in Revelation).

Understanding John’s Revelation

24:6 wars and rumors of wars The Jewish War of ad 66–73 partially fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy.

24:7 famines and earthquakes A common motif in apocalyptic writings (e.g., Rev 6:8, 12; 16:18; 18:8). Famine is often the result of war, and earthquakes represent cataclysmic chaos that extends to nature itself (Acts 11:27–30; Rev 6:8; Joel 2:10; Hag 2:6).

Apocalyptic Literature

24:8 birth pains This metaphor is used throughout the Bible in reference to suffering and judgment (e.g., Isa 26:17–18; Jer 22:23; 1 Thess 5:3).

24:9 they will hand you over to persecution Jesus has expressed elements of this passage elsewhere in Matthew (Matt 10:17–18, 21–22, 24–25, 28, 34–39; 16:24–26). In the early church and its subsequent history, such persecution frequently led to martyrdom.

24:10 many will be led into sin Apostasy accompanies persecution.

24:11 many false prophets will appear Similar to v. 5 (see v. 5 and note).

24:13 this person will be saved Elsewhere, it is clear that salvation is dependent on Christ alone (compare John 3:16–17). It seems that here Jesus is contrasting those with true faith (compare Matt 13:18–23)—which proves itself through endurance, in the midst of persecution—with those who are willing to sacrifice their faith (v. 10; compare 10:22). Faith requires action and perseverance (25:14–30).

24:14 will be proclaimed Compare 28:19–20.

then the end will come Described in vv. 15–28.

24:15 abomination of desolation This enigmatic term from Daniel describes an event of desecration and destruction (Dan 8:13; 9:27; 11:31; 12:11).

24:16 flee to the mountains Compare Zech 14:5.

24:20 in winter or on a Sabbath A winter flight would be difficult and dangerous. Traveling on the Sabbath was forbidden by the law of Moses (Exod 16:29). A Sabbath flight also might limit opportunities to receive help along the way, due to restrictions on work.

24:21 great tribulation Or “suffering.” The Jewish War—particularly the events surrounding the destruction of the temple in ad 70—resulted in many stories about the horrors endured by the Jews and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

24:22 for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened The elect are those who are chosen (Matt 22:14); their presence results in mercy for everyone else. Compare vv. 14, 31.

24:23 do not believe See v. 4.

24:24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear See v. 5 and note.

24:27 just as the lightning Depicts the Son of Man’s arrival as being sudden and unmistakable.

the coming The Greek word used here, parousia (indicating “presence” or “arrival”), has developed into a technical term referring to Jesus’ return in glory.

Son of Man See 8:20 and note.

24:28 the vultures will gather This expression may have been a proverb of Jesus’ day. Just as vultures signal the presence of a corpse, these events will clearly signal the Son of Man’s arrival.

24:29 the sun will be darkened Jesus quotes the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the ot) versions of Isa 13:10 and Isa 34:4.

24:30 sign of the Son of Man Probably refers to the Son of Man Himself; He, Jesus, is the sign.

the tribes of the earth will mourn Compare Zech 12:10–14.

Son of Man arriving on the clouds Compare Dan 7:13–14.

24:31 he will send out his angels Compare Matt 13:41–43.

with a loud trumpet call In the ot, trumpets typically accompany religious or military events (e.g., Jer 4:19; Joel 2:15; Zeph 1:16). The sound of the trumpet is also a motif signaling the day of God’s judgment (Isa 27:13; Zech 9:14; Zeph 1:14–16; compare 1 Cor 15:52; 1 Thess 4:16 and note).

they will gather his elect together See note on Matt 24:40. Compare Deut 30:4; Isa 60:4; Jer 32:37; Ezek 34:13; 36:24.

24:33 all these things The signs that anticipate Jesus’ coming. See note on Matt 24:32–35.

24:34 this generation See note on Mark 13:30.

24:35 my words will never pass away Compare Matt 5:18 and note.

24:36 except the Father alone Compare Acts 1:7. Jesus might be alluding to the Septuagint translation of Zech 14:7, which reads “It will be for one day—and that day is known to the Lord.”

24:40 one will be taken This phrase might describe the gathering of God’s people to Himself (Matt 24:31); if that is the case there is no indication here of what happens to the remaining people. The point of this parable is that believers need to be vigilant for Jesus’ return, because it will be sudden and unexpected.

24:46 whom his master will find so doing See note on vv. 36–44.

24:48 My master is staying away See 25:5.

24:50 on a day that he does not expect See vv. 42, 44.

24:51 weeping and gnashing of teeth Refers to great anguish—signaling that Jesus means that this type of person will experience God’s judgment upon His return (see note on 8:12).