What does Matthew 24 mean?

The setting

Jesus' disciples point out how impressive the temple buildings are, and he answers that "not one stone here will be left on another." On the Mount of Olives they ask when this will happen and what the sign of his coming will be. The rest of the chapter answers both questions, which is why it is hard to untangle.

False messiahs and hard times

Jesus warns that many will come claiming to be the Messiah, and that wars, famines and earthquakes are "the beginning of birth pains," not the end itself. His followers will be persecuted and hated. "The one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

AD 70 or the end of time?

In AD 70 Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, within a generation of Jesus speaking, and many readers see most of the chapter fulfilled then. Others see a double fulfilment, with AD 70 as a preview of the final days. Many see a shift partway through, from Jerusalem's fall to Jesus' return.

Be ready, not afraid

Jesus says no one knows the day or hour, "not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." So the chapter is not a timetable to decode. It ends with stories about servants who keep faithfully doing their work. The point is to live ready, not to live scared.

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come., Matthew 24:4-6

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father., Matthew 24:36