The Olivet Discourse (Four)

It is written:

“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (Matthew 24:34)

Our studies on the Olivet Discourse have demonstrated that in Matthew 24:36, Jesus begins talking about the Second Coming; and that from 4-34, the Lord discussed the signs that would come upon the city of Jerusalem before its’ destruction in 70 (A.D.).

Another powerful evidence of this is seen in the fact that in Matthew 24:34, Jesus declared that the preceding signs would come upon “this generation.”

Now, what does “this generation” actually mean? Does it mean that the generation then living would see the signs Jesus prophesied? Or does it mean that the generation then living at the time of the Second Coming would see the signs fulfilled?

Let’s look at how the phrase “this generation” is used throughout the Gospels.

Matthew 11:16-But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,

Matthew 12:41-The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

Matthew 12:42-The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 23:36-Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Mark 8:12-But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”

Mark 13:30-Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

Luke 7:31-And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?

Luke 11:29-32-And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 30  For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31  The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. 32  The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

Luke 11:49-51-49  Therefore the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’. 50  that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, 51  from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.

Luke 17:25-But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

Luke 21:32-Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.

Every time in the Gospels that Jesus used the phrase “this generation,” reference was made to the lifetime of people living in the first century.

The signs of Matthew 24:4-34 applies to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., and not to the end of the world.