Matthew 24:34
What does Matthew 24:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 24:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 24:34 means
Jesus makes a profound statement about the generation that will witness these events: "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished." This verse has been interpreted in various ways. Some understand 'this generation' as the immediate generation of Jesus' listeners, referring primarily to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Others see it as the generation that sees the *beginning* of the signs, or a specific ethnic group. The overarching teaching is that these prophecies will indeed come to pass within a discernible timeframe.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Truly I say to you, This generation will not come to an end till all these things are complete.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Verily I say to you, this generation may not pass away till all these may come to pass.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Amen I say to you that this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Verily I say to you, This generation will not have passed away until all these things shall have taken place.
Context
Following the application of the fig tree parable, this verse delivers a concise and impactful statement about the timeframe for the fulfillment of these prophecies. It immediately precedes a declaration of the eternal nature of Jesus' words, further emphasizing the certainty and authority of what He has just revealed about the end times.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 21:32
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished.
- Matthew 16:28
Verily I say unto you, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
- Matthew 12:45
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
- Luke 11:50
that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
- Mark 13:30
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, until all these things be accomplished.
- Matthew 23:36
Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
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