# Olivet Discourse

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Biblical passage found in the Christian gospels

"Little Apocalypse" redirects here. For the films titled "The Little Apocalypse", see [The Little Apocalypse (1993 film)](/source/The_Little_Apocalypse_(1993_film)) and [The Little Apocalypse (2006 film)](/source/The_Little_Apocalypse_(2006_film)).

Part of a series on Christian eschatology Interpretive frameworks Historicism Interpretations of Revelation Interpretations of Daniel Futurism Dispensationalism Preterism Idealism Millennial views Amillennialism Chillegorism Postmillennialism Premillennialism Historic premillennialism Posttribulation rapture Dispensationalism Biblical texts Daniel's seventy weeks Olivet Discourse Mark 13 Matthew 24 Sheep and Goats 2 Thessalonians Revelation (Events) Pseudepigrapha 1 Enoch 2 Esdras Terms Abomination of desolation Antichrist Antichrist in ecclesiastical writings Apocalypse Apocatastasis Armageddon The Beast Dual-covenant theology False prophet Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Gog and Magog Great Apostasy Great Tribulation Katechon Kingdom of God Lake of fire Last Judgment Man of sin Millennial Day Theory New Earth New Jerusalem Number of the Beast Rapture Resurrection of the dead Second Coming Seven bowls Seven seals Son of perdition Two witnesses War in Heaven Whore of Babylon Woman of the Apocalypse World to come Christianity portal v t e

The **Olivet Discourse** or **Olivet prophecy** is a biblical passage found in the [Synoptic Gospels](/source/Synoptic_Gospels) in [Matthew 24](/source/Matthew_24) and [25](/source/Matthew_25), [Mark 13](/source/Mark_13), and [Luke 21](/source/Luke_21). It is also known as the **Little Apocalypse** because it includes the use of [apocalyptic](/source/Apocalypse) language, and it includes Jesus's warning to his followers that they will suffer [tribulation](/source/Great_Tribulation) and persecution before the ultimate triumph of the [Kingdom of God](/source/Kingship_and_kingdom_of_God).[1] The Olivet discourse is the last of the [Five Discourses of Matthew](/source/Five_Discourses_of_Matthew) and occurs just before the narrative of [Jesus's passion](/source/Passion_(Christianity)) beginning with the [anointing of Jesus](/source/Anointing_of_Jesus).

In all three [synoptic Gospels](/source/Synoptic_Gospels) this episode includes the [Parable of the Budding Fig Tree](/source/Parable_of_the_Budding_Fig_Tree).[2]

It is unclear whether the tribulation Jesus describes is a now [past](/source/Preterism), [present](/source/Historicism_(Christianity)), or [future event](/source/Futurism_(Christianity)).[3]: p.5 [Preterists](/source/Preterism) believe the passage largely refers to events surrounding the [destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem](/source/Siege_of_Jerusalem_(70))[4][5] and as such is used to date the Gospel of Mark around the year 70.[4][6] [Futurists](/source/Futurism_(Christianity)) believe the prophecy is broken into different parts, and partly “refers to events that are still yet to come”.[5]

## Setting

The discourse is widely believed by scholars to contain material delivered on a variety of occasions.[4]

In the [Gospel of Matthew](/source/Gospel_of_Matthew)[7] and the [Gospel of Mark](/source/Gospel_of_Mark),[8] Jesus spoke this discourse to his disciples privately on the [Mount of Olives](/source/Mount_of_Olives), opposite [Herod's Temple](/source/Second_Temple#Herod's_Temple). In the [Gospel of Luke](/source/Gospel_of_Luke), Jesus taught over a period of time in the Temple and stayed at night on the Mount of Olives.[9]

## Biblical narrative

Events in the Life of Jesus according to the canonical gospels Early life Annunciation Visitation Joseph's dreams Nativity Virgin birth Annunciation to the Shepherds Adoration of the Shepherds Circumcision Adoration of the Magi Flight into Egypt Massacre of the Innocents Presentation Return to Nazareth Finding in the Temple Ministry Baptism Temptation Commissioning the Twelve Apostles Sermon on the Mount / Plain Beatitudes Lord's Prayer Miracles Parables Prayer Rejection Transfiguration Passion Triumphal entry into Jerusalem Temple cleansing Second coming prophecy Anointing Last Supper Farewell Discourse Paraclete promised Agony in the Garden Kiss of Judas Arrest Sanhedrin trial Mocking Herod's court Pilate's court Flagellation Crown of Thorns Via Dolorosa Crucifixion Descent from the Cross Entombment Harrowing of Hell Resurrection Empty tomb Appearances Noli me tangere Road to Emmaus Great Commission Ascension In rest of the New Testament Road to Damascus John's vision Portals: Christianity Bible v t e

*The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem*, by [David Roberts](/source/David_Roberts_(painter)) (1850)

According to the narrative of the synoptic Gospels, an anonymous [disciple](/source/Disciple_(Christianity)) remarks on the greatness of [Herod's Temple](/source/Herod's_Temple).[10] Jesus responds that not one of those stones would remain intact in the building, and the whole thing would be reduced to rubble.[11]

The disciples asked Jesus, "When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus first warns them about things that would happen:[11]

- Some would claim to be [Christ](/source/Christ) (see also [Antichrist](/source/Antichrist));

- There would be wars and rumours of wars.

Then Jesus identifies "the beginnings of birth pains":[11]

- Nations rising up against nations, and kingdoms against kingdoms;

- [Earthquakes](/source/Earthquake);

- [Famines](/source/Famine);

- [Pestilence](/source/Infection);

- Fearful events.

Next he described more birth pains which would lead to the coming Kingdom:[11]

- [False prophets](/source/False_prophet#Christianity);[12][13][14]

- [Apostasy](/source/Apostasy_in_Christianity);

- [Persecution of the followers of Jesus](/source/Persecution_of_Christians);

- The [spread of Jesus' message](/source/Evangelism) (the [Gospel](/source/Gospel)) around the world.

Jesus then warned the disciples about the [abomination of desolation](/source/Abomination_of_desolation) "standing where it does not belong".

After Jesus described the "abomination that causes desolation", he warns that the people of Judea should flee to the mountains as a matter of such urgency that they shouldn't even return to get things from their homes. Jesus also warned that if it happened in winter or on the [Sabbath](/source/Biblical_Sabbath) fleeing would be even more difficult. Jesus described this as a time of "[Great Tribulation](/source/Great_Tribulation)" worse than anything that had gone before.

Jesus then states that immediately after the time of tribulation people would see a sign, "the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken".[15]

The statements about the Sun and Moon turning dark sound quite apocalyptic, as it appears to be a quote from the [Book of Isaiah](/source/Book_of_Isaiah).[16] The description of the Sun, Moon and stars going dark is also used elsewhere in the Old Testament. Joel wrote that this would be a sign before the great and dreadful [Day of the Lord](/source/Day_of_the_Lord).[17] The Book of Revelation also mentions the Sun and Moon turning dark during the sixth seal of the [seven seals](/source/Seven_seals), but the passage adds more detail than the previous verses mentioned.[18]

Jesus states that after the time of tribulation and the sign of the Sun, Moon, and stars going dark the [Son of Man](/source/Son_of_man_(Christianity)) would be seen arriving in the clouds with power and great [glory](/source/Glory_(religion)). The Son of Man would be accompanied by the [angels](/source/Angel) and at the trumpet call the angels would "gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other".([Matthew 24:31](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew%2024:31&version=nrsv))

Those who subscribe to the doctrine of the "rapture" (a view popular in American Evangelicalism) find support in this verse, reading this as meaning that people would be gathered from Earth and taken *to* heaven. This directly relates to a quotation from the [Book of Zechariah](/source/Book_of_Zechariah) in which God (and the contents of heaven in general) will come to Earth and live among *the elect*, who by necessity are gathered together for this purpose.[19]

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus was reported to have told his [disciples](/source/Disciple_(Christianity)),

"Truly I tell you, this generation [greek: *genea*] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

— [Matt. 24:34-35; Mark 13:30-31; Luke 21:32-33](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+24:34-35;+Mark+13:30-31;+Luke+21:32-33&version=NRSV)

There is considerable debate about the correct translation of the word *genea*. The most common English translation is currently "generation",[20] but German Bibles, *genea* is instead translated as "family/lineage" (*geschlecht*).[21] Likewise for Danish, Swedish and Norwegian (*slægt*, *släkte* and *slekt*, respectively).[22][23][24] The Danish linguist Iver Larsen argues that the word "generation" as it was used in the English King James Version of the Bible (1611) had a much wider meaning than it has today, and that the correct *current* translation of *genea* (in the specific context of the second coming story) should be "kind of people." (specifically the "good" kind of people; the disciple's kind of people, who, like the words of Jesus, will endure through all the tribulations). In Psalm 14, the King James version clearly uses "generation" in this now outdated sense, when it declares that "God is in the generation of the righteous."[25] According to Larsen, the *Oxford Universal Dictionary* states that the latest attested use of *genea* in the sense of "class, kind or set of persons" took place in 1727. Larsen concludes that the meaning of "generation" in the English language has narrowed considerably since then.[26]

Bible scholar Philip La Grange du Toit argues that *genea* is mostly used to describe a timeless and spiritual family/lineage of good or bad people in The New Testament, and that this is the case also for the second coming discourse in Matthew 24. In contrast to Larsen however, he argues that the word *genea* here denotes the "bad" kind of people," because Jesus had used the word in that pejorative sense in the preceding context (chapter 23.) He also lists the main competing translation alternatives, and some of the scholars that support the different views:

- "This generation" refers to Jesus' contemporaries who would witness "all these things" [πάντα ταῦτα] as outlined in verses 4–31, including Jesus' second coming (Davies & Allison 1997:367–368; Hare 1993:281; Maddox 1982:111–115). Because Jesus' contemporaries did not witness his second coming, some contend that Jesus erred in his predictions (Luz 2005:209; cf. Schweitzer 1910:356–364), while others argue that the Parousia was contingent on the repentance of Israel, and that unfulfilled eschatological expectations would not be failures or unusual in the Jewish prophetic context.[27][28]

- "This generation" refers to Jesus' contemporaries who would witness "all these things" as outlined in verses 4–22 or 4–28, pointing to the destruction of the temple in 70 CE and everything leading up to it. Jesus' second coming (vv. 29–31) is thus excluded from "all these things" (Blomberg 1992:364; Carson 1984:507; France 2007:930; Hagner 1995:715).

- "This generation" points to the [Ἰουδαῖοι](/source/Ioudaios) (Jews or Judaeans), implying that they as a race would last until the Parousia (Hendriksen 1973:868–869; Schweizer 1976:458).

- In patristic opinion, "this generation" points to the church against which the gates of Hades would not prevail (cf. Chrysostom, Hom. Matt. 77:1; Eusebius, Frag. in Lc. ad loc).

- "This generation" points to some future generation, from Matthew's perspective, that sees "all these things" (Bock 1996:538–539; Conzelmann 1982:105).

- The words "take place" or "have happened" [γένηται] is interpreted as an ingressive aorist: "to begin" or "to have a beginning". In other words, "all these things" would start to happen in the generation of Jesus' present disciples, but would not necessarily finish in their time (Cranfield 1954:291; Talbert 2010:270).

- "This generation" points to a certain kind of people in accordance with the pejorative connotations to "generation" [γενεά] elsewhere in the gospel (Morris 1992:613; Nelson 1996:385; Rieske 2008:225; see, e.g., Mt 11:16; 12:39, 41–42, 45; 16:4; 17:17; 23:36). While DeBruyn (2010:190) and Lenski (1943:953) interpret the expression in a similar way, they connect "this generation" to a certain kind of people from the Ἰουδαῖοι who resisted Jesus (cf. view 3 discussed earlier).[29]

In the [First Epistle to the Thessalonians](/source/First_Epistle_to_the_Thessalonians), [Paul](/source/Paul_the_Apostle) envisages that he and the Christians to whom he was writing would see the [resurrection of the dead](/source/Resurrection_of_the_dead) within their own lifetimes, though he would consider the possibility of his death prior to Jesus’ return later in life.[30] The Gospel of John however seems to downplay a rumor that one disciple (John) would live to see the second coming:

"So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, 'If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?'"

— [John 21:23](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=John%2021:23&version=nrsv)

## Christian eschatology

There are four quite different [Christian eschatological views](/source/Christian_eschatological_views). [Preterism](/source/Preterism) is the belief that all of these predictions were fulfilled by the time Jerusalem fell in 70 CE.[31] Preterism[3] considers that most, if not all, prophecy has been fulfilled already, usually in relation to the [destruction of Jerusalem](/source/Destruction_of_Jerusalem) by the Romans in 70 CE.

- [Partial preterism](/source/Partial_preterism) says that most (but not all) Bible prophecy, including everything within Matthew 24, Daniel, and Revelation up to chapters 19 or 20, has already been fulfilled when Jerusalem was destroyed.[32] Since it still includes belief in a future physical [Second Coming](/source/Second_Coming) of Christ, the [resurrection of the dead](/source/Resurrection_of_the_dead), and the [last judgment](/source/Last_judgment), [partial preterism](/source/Partial_preterism) falls within the parameters of [orthodoxy](/source/Orthodoxy) because it conforms to the early Christian [creeds](/source/Creed).

- [Full preterism](/source/Full_preterism) says all biblical prophecy was fulfilled by 70 CE. It does not hold to a future judgment, return of Christ, or resurrection of the dead (at least not for non-Christians). Due to the belief that all biblical prophecy has been fulfilled, it is sometimes considered "radical" and usually described as "unorthodox" because it goes against the [ecumenical creeds](/source/Ecumenical_creeds) of early Christianity.

[Historicism](/source/Historicism_(Christianity)) considers that most prophecy has been or will be fulfilled during the present church age. It was the chief view of Protestants from the [Reformation](/source/Protestant_Reformation) until the mid-19th century. Only among [Seventh-day Adventists](/source/Seventh-day_Adventist_Church) is historicism applied to current conservative Christian interpretation of Tribulation understanding.[3]

[Futurism](/source/Futurism_(Christian_eschatology)) is the belief that the future Jesus predicted is the unfolding of events from trends that are already at work in contemporary human society.[33]

Futurism typically holds that all major unfulfilled prophecies will be fulfilled during a global time of catastrophe and war known as the [Great Tribulation](/source/Great_Tribulation), in which many other prophecies will be fulfilled during or after the [Millennium Reign](/source/Millennialism) of Jesus Christ. According to many futurists, many predictions are currently being fulfilled during the Church Age, in which [lawlessness](/source/Antinomianism) and [apostasy](/source/Apostasy) are currently plaguing secular society. This is seen as a major sign of the approaching fulfillment of all other prophecies during the Tribulation. Within [evangelical Christianity](/source/Evangelical_Christianity) over the past 150 years, futurism has come to be the dominant view of prophecy. However, around the 1970s evangelical preterism—the polar opposite of futurism—was seen as a new challenge to the dominance of futurism, particularly within the Reformed tradition. Yet, futurism continues as the prevalent view for the time being.[3]: p.7

Futurists anticipate many coming events that will fulfill all eschatological prophecy: the seven-year period of tribulation, the [Antichrist](/source/Antichrist)'s global government[34] the Battle of Armageddon, the Second Coming of Jesus, the millennial reign of Christ, the eternal state, and the [two resurrections](/source/Christian_eschatology#Two_Resurrections).

In his popular book, *The Late Great Planet Earth,*first published in 1970, evangelical Christian author [Hal Lindsey](/source/Hal_Lindsey) argued that prophetical information in Matthew 24 indicates that the "generation" witnessing the "rebirth of Israel" is the same generation that will observe the fulfillment of the "signs" referred to in [Matthew 24:1–33](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew%2024:1–33&version=nrsv)—and that would be consummated by the second coming of Christ in approximately 1988. He dated it from the "rebirth of Israel" in 1948, and took a generation to be "something like forty years."[35] Lindsey later stretched his forty-year timetable to as long as one hundred years, writing that he was no longer certain that the terminal "generation" commenced with the rebirth of Israel.[36][*[full citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources#What_information_to_include)*]

Another detailed analysis, one written by evangelical pastor [Ray Stedman](/source/Ray_Stedman), calls it the "Olivet Prophecy: The most detailed prediction in the Bible". According to Stedman: "There are many predictive passages in both the Old and New Testaments, but none is clearer or more detailed than the message Jesus delivered from the Mount of Olives. This message was given during the turbulent events of the Lord's last week before the cross".[33]

The [Idealist](/source/Idealism_(Christian_eschatology)) sees the prophecy as pertaining to the entirerty of the interadvental period rather than a specific event. Idealists see prophetic passages as being of great value in teaching truths about God to be applied to present life. Many idealists see the destruction of the temple as typological of the entire Church Age that will culminate in the Second Coming of Christ and the Judgment of the whole created order.[3]

Within conservative, evangelical Christian thought, two opposite viewpoints of the Great Tribulation have been expressed in a debate between theologians [Kenneth L. Gentry](/source/Kenneth_Gentry) and [Thomas Ice](/source/Thomas_Ice).[3]: 197–99

***Tribulation as a past event* (Dr. Gentry)**

- The Great Tribulation occurred during the 1st century.

- Those events marked the end of God's focus on and exaltation of [Israel](/source/Israel).

- Jesus' prophecies marked the beginning of the Christian era in God's plan.

- The Tribulation is God's judgment on Israel for rejecting the [Messiah](/source/Messiah).

- The Tribulation judgments will be centred on local events surrounding ancient [Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem), and also somewhat affecting other portions of the former [Roman Empire](/source/Roman_Empire).

- The Tribulation judgments are governed by Jesus as the Christ to reflect his judgment against Israel, thus showing that he is in heaven controlling those events.

***Tribulation as a future event* (Dr. Ice)**

- The Great Tribulation is still to come and is rapidly approaching prospect.

- Those events marked the beginning of God's focus on and exaltation of Israel.

- The prophecy says the Christian era will be concluded just after the church is taken from the world.

- Rather than being God's judgment on Israel, it is the preparation of Israel to receive her Messiah.

- The judgments involve catastrophes that literally will affect the stellar universe and impact the entire planet.

- The coming of Christ in the Tribulation requires his public, visible and physical presence to conclude those judgments.

## See also

- [Christianity portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Christianity)

- [Last Judgment](/source/Last_Judgment)

- [Life of Jesus in the New Testament](/source/Life_of_Jesus_in_the_New_Testament)

- [Parable of the Budding Fig Tree](/source/Parable_of_the_Budding_Fig_Tree)

- [Summary of Christian eschatological differences](/source/Summary_of_Christian_eschatological_differences)

- [Historical Jesus § Apocalyptic prophet](/source/Historical_Jesus#Apocalyptic_prophet)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Frontline" TV series](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/apocalypse/primary/). PBS. Accessed: 14 May 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Getty-Sullivan2007_2-0)** Getty-Sullivan, Mary Ann (2007). [*Parables of the Kingdom: Jesus and the Use of Parables in the Synoptic Tradition*](https://books.google.com/books?id=zt3vK-hJzQYC&pg=PA46). Liturgical Press. p. 46. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8146-2993-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8146-2993-2).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DTS_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DTS_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-DTS_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-DTS_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-DTS_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-DTS_3-5) Gentry, Kenneth L.; Ice, Thomas (1999). *The Great Tribulation—Past Or Future?: Two Evangelicals Debate the Question*. Kregel Academic & Professional. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8254-2901-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8254-2901-9).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BenW_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BenW_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BenW_4-2) Witherington, Ben. *The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-rhetorical Commentary*. p. 340.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_5-1) Ice, Thomas (2009-05-07). ["An Interpretation of Matthew 24-25"](https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/pretrib_arch/2/). *Article Archives*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Hooker, Morna (1991). *The Gospel According to St. Mark*. Continuum. p. 8.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Matthew 24:3](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew%2024:3&version=nrsv)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Mark 13:3](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Mark%2013:3&version=nrsv)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Luke 21:37](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Luke%2021:37&version=nrsv)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Kilgallen, John J. (1989). *A Brief Commentary on the Gospel of Mark*. Paulist Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8091-3059-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8091-3059-9).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Mark13_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Mark13_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Mark13_11-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Mark13_11-3) ["Mark 13"](http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Mark+13). *Oremus*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Aune, David E.](/source/David_Edward_Aune) (1983). ["The Prophecies of Jesus: Unmasking False Prophets"](https://books.google.com/books?id=0cY3kedl8NMC&pg=PA222). *Prophecy in Early Christianity and the Ancient Mediterranean World*. [Grand Rapids, Michigan](/source/Grand_Rapids%2C_Michigan): [Wm. B. Eerdmans](/source/Wm._B._Eerdmans). pp. 222–229. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8028-0635-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8028-0635-2). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [9555379](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/9555379).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Chae, Young S. (2006). ["Matthew 7:15: False Prophets in Sheep's Clothing"](https://books.google.com/books?id=tliVZ-_MAOoC&pg=PA234). *Jesus as the Eschatological Davidic Shepherd: Studies in the Old Testament, Second Temple Judaism, and in the Gospel of Matthew*. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2. Reihe. Vol. 216. [Tübingen](/source/T%C3%BCbingen): [Mohr Siebeck](/source/Mohr_Siebeck). pp. 234–236. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-16-148876-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-16-148876-4). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0340-9570](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0340-9570).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [France, Richard T.](/source/R._T._France) (2007). ["Scene 2: False Prophets"](https://books.google.com/books?id=0ruP6J_XPCEC&pg=PA289). *The Gospel of Matthew*. [Grand Rapids, Michigan](/source/Grand_Rapids%2C_Michigan) and [Cambridge, U.K.](/source/Cambridge): [Wm. B. Eerdmans](/source/Wm._B._Eerdmans). pp. 289–291. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8028-2501-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8028-2501-8). [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [2007013488](https://lccn.loc.gov/2007013488).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Matt. 24:29–30](https://www.biblica.com/bible/?osis=niv:Matthew%2024:29–30), [Joel. 3:15](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Joel%203:15&version=nrsv)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Isa. 13:10](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Isaiah%2013:10&version=nrsv)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Joel 2:30–31](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Joel%202:30–31&version=nrsv)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Rev. 6:12–17](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Revelation%206:12–17&version=nrsv)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [Zech. 2:10](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Zechariah%202:10&version=nrsv)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bible_Gateway_(English)2_20-0)** ["International Standard Version"](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024%3A34&version=ISV). *Bible Gateway (English)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bible_Gateway_(German)2_21-0)** ["Schlachter 2000"](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matth%C3%A4us%2024%3A34&version=SCH2000). *Bible Gateway (German)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bible_Gateway_(Danish)2_22-0)** ["Dette er Biblen på dansk"](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matth%C3%A6us%2024%3A34&version=DN1933). *Bible Gateway (Danish)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bible_Gateway_(Swedish)2_23-0)** ["Svenska 1917"](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matteus%2024%3A34&version=SV1917). *Bible Gateway (Swedish)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bible_Gateway_(Norwegian)2_24-0)** ["Det Norsk Bibelselskap 1930"](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matteus%2024%3A34&version=DNB1930). *Bible Gateway (Norwegian)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bible_Gateway_25-0)** ["King James Version"](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2014&version=KJV). *Bible Gateway*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Larsen_20102_26-0)** Larsen, Iver (2010-01-28). ["Generation is a wrong translation choice for Greek genea"](https://www.academia.edu/37043228). *Academia.edu*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:12_27-0)** Hays, Christopher (2016). *When the Son of Man Didn't Come: A Constructive Proposal on the Delay of the Parousia*. Fortress Press. pp. 19–20, 90–95. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1451465549](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1451465549).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Keener, Craig (2026). *Mark 1-4*. T&T Clark. p. 60. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0567668356](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0567668356).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Du_Toit_p.2_29-0)** Du Toit, Philip La Grange (2018-08-15). ["'This generation' in Matthew 24:34 as a timeless, spiritual generation akin to Genesis 3:15"](https://doi.org/10.4102%2Fve.v39i1.1850). *Verbum et Ecclesia*. **39** (1). AOSIS. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4102/ve.v39i1.1850](https://doi.org/10.4102%2Fve.v39i1.1850). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2074-7705](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2074-7705).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Allison, Dale (2025). *Interpreting Jesus*. Eerdmans. p. 610. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0802879196](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0802879196).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Jackson, Wayne. ["A Study of Matthew Twenty-four"](http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/19-a-study-of-matthew-24) November 23, 1998. *Christian Courier*. Contains in-depth discussion of the significant of the chapter and the signs that have come to fruition.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Gentry, Kenneth L. Jr. (November 1998). ["Falsely Declaring 'The Time': The Great Tribulation in Progressive Dispensationalism (Part 5)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160726183300/http://reformed-theology.org/ice/newslet/dit/dit11.98.htm). *Dispensationalism in Transition: Challenging Traditional Dispensationalism's 'Code of Silence'*. Archived from [the original](http://reformed-theology.org/ice/newslet/dit/dit11.98.htm) on 26 July 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Stedman_33-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Stedman_33-1) Stedman, Ray C. (2003). *What on Earth Is Happening? What Jesus Said About the End of the Age*. Discovery House Publishers. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-57293-092-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-57293-092-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["The Rise and Reign of the Antichrist part 1"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111010014103/http://deeptruths.com/articles/rise_reign_ac.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.deeptruths.com/articles/rise_reign_ac.html) on 2011-10-10. Retrieved 2011-06-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** Lindsey, Hal (1970). *The Late Great Planet Earth*. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Lindsey, Hal. 1977. *Eternity*, January 1977

v t e Jesus Outline List of topics Chronology of Jesus's life Annunciation Nativity Virgin birth Date of birth Flight into Egypt Infancy (apocryphal) Christ Child Unknown years Baptism Temptation Apostles Selecting Ministry Disciples Sermon on the Mount/Plain Beatitudes Prayers Lord's Prayer Parables Miracles Transfiguration Homelessness Great Commandment Olivet Discourse Anointing Passion instruments Entry into Jerusalem Last Supper Farewell Discourse Agony in the Garden Betrayal Arrest Trial Crucifixion Sayings on the cross Instrument used True Cross Burial Tomb Resurrection Road to Emmaus appearance Great Commission Ascension New Testament Gospels Matthew Mark Luke John Five Discourses of Matthew Gospel harmony Oral gospel traditions Historical background of the New Testament New Testament places associated with Jesus Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament Historical Jesus Quest for the historical Jesus Historicity Sources Josephus Tacitus Mara bar Serapion Gospels Christ myth theory Depictions Bibliography Life of Christ in art Life of Christ Museum Statues Transfiguration Christianity Christ Christianity 1st century Christology Incarnation Person of Christ Pre-existence "I am" Relics Second Coming Session of Christ Son of God Cosmic Christ In other faiths Jesuism In comparative mythology Judaism In the Talmud Islam Ahmadiyya Baháʼí Faith Manichaeism Jesus the Splendour Mandaeism Master Jesus Family Genealogies Mary (mother) Joseph (legal father) Holy Family Panthera (alleged father) Brothers of Jesus Holy Kinship Anne (traditional maternal grandmother) Joachim (traditional maternal grandfather) Heli (paternal grandfather per Luke) Jacob (paternal grandfather per Matthew) Alleged descendants Clopas (traditional uncle) Related Language of Jesus Interactions with women Mary Magdalene Mary, sister of Martha Christmas Easter Rejection of Jesus Criticism Mental health Race and appearance Sexuality and marital status Church of the Nativity Church of the Holy Sepulchre The Garden Tomb Shroud of Turin Category

v t e Gospel of Matthew Bible (New Testament) Chapters Matthew 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Verses Matthew 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16:2b–3,19 27:1–12; 52–66 28 Events and phrases Jesus' birth Star of Bethlehem Magi Flight into Egypt Massacre of the Innocents Return to Nazareth Kingdom of heaven Baptism Temptation Galilean ministry Fishers of men Behold the bridegroom Sermon on the Mount Beatitudes Lord's Prayer Golden Rule Jesus preaches in a ship Calming the storm Feeding the multitude Walking on water Transfiguration Great Commandment Olivet Discourse Ten Virgins Anointing Passion of Jesus Last Supper Crucifixion of Jesus Burial Empty tomb Resurrection Great Commission People Andrew Bartholomew Caiaphas Herod James James, son of Alphaeus Jeremiah Jesus Christ John John the Baptist Joseph Judas Iscariot Jude Mary Mary Magdalene Mary, sister of Martha Matthew Philip Pontius Pilate Rachel Simon Peter Simon the Zealot Thomas Zebedee Groups Angels Pharisees Sadducees Sanhedrin Places Bethany Bethlehem Bethsaida Capernaum Egypt Galilee Jerusalem Jordan River Judea Samaria Sea of Galilee Related Q source M source Gospel of Mark Textual variants Augustinian hypothesis Two-gospel hypothesis Matthean Posteriority Genealogy of Jesus Five Discourses of Matthew Calling of Matthew Kingdom of heaven Immanuel Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew Rabbinical translations Shem Tob Joseph Smith–Matthew In culture St Matthew Passion (Bach, 1727/29) Structure The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964 film) Godspell (1971 musical) Godspell (1973 film) The Visual Bible: Matthew (1993 film) Manuscripts Papyrus 1 4 19 21 25 35 37 44 45 53 62 70 71 73 77 83 86 96 101 102 103 104 105 110 Magdalen papyrus Sources Greek Text Latin Vulgate Wycliffe Version King James Version American Standard Version World English Version

v t e Gospel of Mark Bible chapters (New Testament) Mark 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Events Baptism of Jesus Temptation Galilean ministry Parable of the Growing Seed Calming the storm Feeding the multitude Walking on water Cleansing a leper Transfiguration Great Commandment Olivet Discourse Anointing Passion Last Supper Pilate's court Crucifixion Entombment/Burial Empty tomb Resurrection Phrases Naked fugitive Sayings of Jesus on the cross People Andrew Bartholomew Caiaphas Herod Antipas James the Great James, son of Alphaeus Jesus Christ John the Baptist John Joseph of Arimathea Judas Iscariot Jude Mary, mother of James Mary, mother of Jesus Mary Magdalene Mary, sister of Martha Matthew Philip Pontius Pilate Rufus Salome Simon of Cyrene Simon the Zealot Simon Peter Thomas Zebedee Groups Pharisees Sadducees Samaritans Sanhedrin Places Bethany Bethsaida Capernaum Dalmanutha Galilee Jerusalem Jordan River Judea Nazareth Samaria Sea of Galilee Related Mark the Evangelist John Mark Textual variants Marcan priority two-source hypothesis three-source hypothesis Intertextual production Messianic Secret Secret Gospel of Mark In music St Mark Passion (attributed to Keiser) St Mark Passion, BWV 247 (J. S. Bach) La Pasión según San Marcos (Golijov) St Mark Passion (N. Matthes) Manuscripts Papyrus 45 84 88 137 Fayyum Fragment Minuscule 2427 (forgery) 7Q5 (disputed) Sources Greek Text Latin Vulgate Wycliffe Version King James Version American Standard Version World English Version

v t e Gospel of Luke Bible (New Testament) Chapters Luke 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Verses Luke 22:43–44 Events Annunciation to Mary, Elizabeth, and the shepherds Adoration of shepherds John the Baptist's Birth Census of Quirinius Jesus' Birth Circumcision and Presentation at the Temple Finding in the Temple Genealogy Baptism Temptation Calling of Matthew Counting the cost Sermon on the Plain Beatitudes Calming the storm Feeding the 5000 Transfiguration Great Commandment Lord's Prayer Prodigal son Olivet Discourse Passion of Jesus Last Supper Pilate's court Crucifixion Burial Empty tomb Resurrection Road to Emmaus appearance Ascension Phrases Benedictus Fishers of men Magnificat New Wine into Old Wineskins Nunc dimittis (Song of Simeon) Parable of the Unjust Steward Rich man and Lazarus The four woes of Jesus People Abijah Andrew Anna Annas Augustus Bartholomew Caiaphas David Elisha Elizabeth Gabriel Herod Antipas Herod the Great James, son of Alphaeus James the Great Jesus Christ John John the Baptist Joseph Joseph of Arimathea Judas Iscariot Jude Lazarus Lysanias Martha Mary, mother of Jesus Mary Magdalene Mary, sister of Martha Matthew Naaman Philip (apostle) Philip (tetrarch) Pontius Pilate Quirinius Simeon Simon the Zealot Simon Peter Theophilus Thomas Tiberius Caesar Zebedee Zechariah Groups Angels Pharisees Sadducees Samaritans Sanhedrin Seventy disciples Places Abilene Bethany Bethsaida Capernaum Decapolis Emmaus Galilee Iturea Jerusalem Jordan River Judea Nain Samaria Sea of Galilee Trachonitis Related Luke the Evangelist Luke–Acts Authorship of Luke–Acts Synoptic Gospels Gospel of Mark Q source L source Two-gospel hypothesis Jerusalem school hypothesis Textual variants Gospel of Marcion Jiizas: di Buk We Luuk Rait bout Im Adaptations St Luke Passion, BWV 246 (1730) St Luke Passion (Penderecki, 1966) Jesus (1979 film) Witness: Five Plays from the Gospel of Luke (2007, radio) The Savior (2014 film) Manuscripts Papyrus 2 3 4 7 42 45 69 75 82 97 111 Codex Nitriensis Ohrid Glagolitic fragments Sources Greek Text Latin Vulgate Wycliffe Version King James Version American Standard Version World English Version

v t e Global catastrophic risks Future of the Earth Future of an expanding universe Ultimate fate of the universe Human extinction risk estimates Technological Chemical warfare Cyberattack Cyberwarfare Cyberterrorism Cybergeddon Ransomware Gray goo Nanoweapons Kinetic bombardment Kinetic energy weapon Nuclear warfare Mutually assured destruction Dead Hand Doomsday Clock Doomsday device Antimatter weapon Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) Safety of high-energy particle collision experiments Micro black hole Strangelet Synthetic intelligence / Artificial intelligence AI takeover Existential risk from artificial intelligence Technological singularity Transhumanism Year 2000 problem Year 2038 problem Sociological Anthropogenic hazard Collapsology Doomsday argument Self-indication assumption doomsday argument rebuttal Self-referencing doomsday argument rebuttal Economic collapse Malthusian catastrophe New World Order conspiracy theory Nuclear holocaust cobalt famine winter Riots Social crisis Societal collapse State collapse World War III Ecological Climate change Anoxic event Biodiversity loss Mass mortality event Cascade effect Cataclysmic pole shift hypothesis Deforestation Desertification Plant or animal species extinctions Civilizational collapse Tipping points Climate sensitivity Flood basalt Global dimming Global terrestrial stilling Global warming Hypercane Ice age Ecocide Ecosystem collapse Environmental degradation Habitat destruction Human impact on the environment coral reefs on marine life Land degradation Land consumption Land surface effects on climate Ocean acidification Ozone depletion Resource depletion Sea level rise Supervolcano winter Verneshot Water pollution Water scarcity Earth Overshoot Day Overexploitation Overpopulation Human overpopulation Biological Extinction Extinction event Holocene extinction Human extinction List of extinction events Genetic erosion Genetic pollution Others Biodiversity loss Decline in amphibian populations Decline in insect populations Biotechnology risk Biological agent Biological warfare Bioterrorism Colony collapse disorder Defaunation Dysgenics Interplanetary contamination Pandemic Pollinator decline Overfishing Astronomical Big Crunch Big Rip Coronal mass ejection Cosmological phase transition Geomagnetic storm False vacuum decay Gamma-ray burst Heat death of the universe Proton decay Virtual black hole Impact event Asteroid impact avoidance Asteroid impact prediction Potentially hazardous object Near-Earth object winter Rogue planet Rogue star Near-Earth supernova Hypernova Micronova Solar flare Stellar collision Eschatological Buddhist Maitreya Three Ages Hindu Kalki Kali Yuga Last Judgement Second Coming 1 Enoch Daniel Abomination of desolation Prophecy of Seventy Weeks Messiah Christian Futurism Historicism Interpretations of Revelation Idealism Preterism 2 Esdras 2 Thessalonians Man of sin Katechon Antichrist Book of Revelation Events Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Seven bowls Seven seals Seven trumpets The Beast Two witnesses War in Heaven Whore of Babylon Great Apostasy New Earth New Jerusalem Olivet Discourse Great Tribulation Son of perdition Sheep and Goats Islamic al-Qa'im Beast of the Earth Dhu'l-Qarnayn Dhu'l-Suwayqatayn Dajjal Israfil Mahdi Sufyani Jewish Messiah War of Gog and Magog Third Temple Armilus Norse Zoroastrian Saoshyant Others 2011 end times prediction 2012 phenomenon Apocalypse Apocalyptic literature Apocalypticism Armageddon Blood moon prophecy Earth Changes End time Gog and Magog List of dates predicted for apocalyptic events Messianism Messianic Age Millenarianism Millennialism Premillennialism Amillennialism Postmillennialism Nemesis (hypothetical star) Nibiru cataclysm Rapture Prewrath Posttribulation rapture Resurrection of the dead Vulnerable world hypothesis World to come Fictional Alien invasion Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction List of apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction List of apocalyptic films Climate fiction Disaster films List of disaster films Zombie apocalypse Zombie Organizations Centre for the Study of Existential Risk Future of Humanity Institute Future of Life Institute Nuclear Threat Initiative General Declinism Disaster Depression Financial crisis Hazard Survivalism World portal Categories Apocalypticism Future problems Hazards Risk analysis Doomsday scenarios

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Olivet Discourse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivet_Discourse) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivet_Discourse?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.