Question 1

What was happening when Jesus spoke these words to His disciples?

Accepted Answer

Jesus had just left the temple in Jerusalem after warning that it would be left desolate. The disciples were impressed with the temple buildings and pointed them out to Him, but He told them that not one stone would be left on another. Later, on the Mount of Olives, they came to Him in private and asked when this would happen, and what sign would show His coming and the end of the age. His long reply in this passage answers those questions and prepares them for coming trouble.

Question 2

What does Jesus mean by wars, famines, and earthquakes being the beginning of sorrows?

Accepted Answer

Jesus says there will be wars, rumours of wars, nations rising against nations, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in many places. He tells His disciples not to panic, because these things must happen, but they do not mean the end has arrived yet. He calls them “the beginning of sorrows,” like the first pains of childbirth. In other words, they are real and painful, but they are early signs that more is coming, not proof that the final moment has already arrived.

Question 3

What is the abomination of desolation and why does Jesus tell them to flee?

Accepted Answer

Jesus mentions “the abomination of desolation” spoken of by Daniel and says that when it stands in the holy place, those in Judea should flee to the mountains without delay. The wording points to something or someone detestable standing where it should not, bringing ruin. Faithful readers have seen this in more than one way, including idolatry in the temple or a corrupting of true worship. Whatever its exact form, Jesus treats it as a clear warning sign that great danger has arrived, so His people should escape quickly.

Question 4

Why does Jesus warn so strongly about false christs and false prophets?

Accepted Answer

Jesus repeats this warning several times because times of fear and trouble make people easy to mislead. He says many will come in His name, claiming to be the Christ, and they will deceive many. Some will even show great signs and wonders so that, if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. He is telling His followers not to run after reports of a secret Messiah in the desert or inner rooms. His real coming will be open and clear, like lightning flashing across the sky.

Question 5

What does Jesus teach about enduring to the end and being saved?

Accepted Answer

In the middle of talk about persecution, betrayal, hatred, and growing sin, Jesus says, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” He is not saying believers earn salvation by their own strength, but that real faith holds on to Him even when it is hard. Many will fall away, but those who keep trusting Christ through trials show that they belong to Him. This gives both a sober warning about falling away and a steady encouragement to keep going, knowing God keeps His people.

Question 6

How will the coming of the Son of Man be different from false claims about Christ?

Accepted Answer

Jesus says His coming will not be hidden or private. People might say, “Here is Christ” or “He is in the secret chambers,” but He tells His followers not to believe it. Instead, He compares His coming to lightning that flashes from east to west, seen by all. After a time of tribulation, there will be signs in the heavens, and then all the tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power and great glory. It will be public, obvious, and impossible to miss.

Question 7

What does it mean that no one knows the day or hour of Jesus’ return?

Accepted Answer

Jesus plainly says that no one knows the day or hour of that final coming, not even the angels, but only the Father. He compares it to the days of Noah, when people were eating, drinking, and marrying until the flood suddenly came. The point is not to make people guess dates, but to stop them from doing so. Since we do not know the exact time, the right response is to stay awake spiritually, live faithfully, and be ready at any moment, instead of growing careless or delaying repentance.

Question 8

Why does Jesus compare His coming to the days of Noah, with one taken and one left?

Accepted Answer

Jesus uses Noah’s days to show how ordinary life will look right up until sudden judgment comes. People then were busy with daily life and were not ready when the flood came and took them all away. In the same way, two people may be working side by side or grinding at a mill when one is taken and the other left. The point is not to satisfy curiosity about the details, but to stress that His coming will divide people, and that outward nearness is not the same as being ready in heart.

Question 9

What is the lesson of the fig tree and the faithful and evil servants in this passage?

Accepted Answer

With the fig tree, Jesus says that when its branch becomes tender and leaves appear, you know summer is near. In the same way, when His followers see the things He has described, they should know “it is near, even at the doors.” The servant stories then show how to live while waiting. The faithful servant keeps doing his duty until his master returns and is blessed. The evil servant assumes a delay, lives in sin, and is judged. Together they teach watching, steady obedience, and not presuming on time.

Matthew 24:1

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

Temple Destruction and Other Signs

Witnessing to All Nations

The Abomination of Desolation

The Return of the Son of Man

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Readiness at Any Hour

Temple Destruction and Other Signs

metadata.crossReferences

Matthew 24:1

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

share.title

share.allVerses

share.verseWithContext

share.currentVerse

Temple Destruction and Other Signs

Witnessing to All Nations

The Abomination of Desolation

The Return of the Son of Man

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Readiness at Any Hour

Temple Destruction and Other Signs

metadata.crossReferences