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I'm curious specifically regarding the translation of the word "generation" here in Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, and Luke 21:32.

Matthew 24:34 (NIV) Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

Is the word "generation" a good translation for this word that Jesus uses here? Can (or should) this be translated to something else?

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  • 2
    Here is a related exegetic question about the subject: What does Jesus mean by generation when talking about the end times?
    – Richard
    Nov 15, 2011 at 16:40
  • 1
    In the link referenced by Richard, I argue that “this generation” (ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη) as used in the Olivet Discourse, is essentially a synonym for “age” (ὁ αἰῶν). Mar 27, 2018 at 0:41
  • I'm going to refrain from marking any answer as accepted on this, due to the contentious nature of the question. I don't think I should decide what is "right" or "wrong". :)
    – Richard
    Dec 19, 2020 at 14:03
  • Two Words While most answers deal with genea, they fail to take into account that there are two similar words in Greek. The other being, genos. It seems if Jesus want to refer to "race" unmistakably, He would have used genos. But He left the door open for "this contemporary people" with the use of genea. Add to this the number of times He used "you" in this Discourse, and 30-70 A.D. is overwhelmingly the appropriate intent. Guess what? History gave the answer to this dilemma! The Temple was destroyed. (Matt. 24:1-3)
    – ray grant
    Jun 26, 2023 at 23:16

11 Answers 11

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The short answer to this excellent question is: NO, it is not a good translation.

As a linguist who has worked in Bible translation for 40 years, I have had to study this phrase in detail many times.

A longer answer is here:

Who is this generation? Briefly stated, the tradition more or less equates the word genea with English ‘generation’. This may work in a few places, especially when the word occurs in the plural form, but in the phrase “this genea” it is misleading to use “generation.” It does not seem to agree with the meaning of the Greek phrase or the Hebrew behind it, and it does not make good sense in most places where the word occurs in the New Testament. Rather, genea means ‘a class of people bound together through a common origin or with a common bond.’ In certain contexts genea does have the very restricted sense of the English “generation,” but in most contexts it does not have this narrow sense. The English word “generation” has undergone a semantic shift so that the meaning today is very much narrowed down as compared to the Greek genea, the Latin generatio and “generation” in the English language as spoken when the King James translation was first made.

Even the Vulgate translation used four different Latin words to translate genea, one of which is generatio. But the word generatio is used to translate other Greek words as well, for example, Matt 1:1 genesis (GNB: family record) and Luke 22:18 genēma (fruit). In Danish we have the word “generation” as a modern adopted word. It has the same area of meaning as the corresponding English word, but it is never used to translate genea in the New Testament. In English there is evidence that the area of meaning of “generation” has narrowed down considerably since the time of the KJV translation. The evidence is that the word gennēma ‘brood’ in Matt 3:7 is translated by “generation” in KJV as well as the word genos ‘race, people’ in 1 Pet 2:9. The Oxford Universal Dictionary gives the following, now obsolete (latest attested use 1727) sense of “generation”: “class, kind or set of persons.”

The purpose of the above remarks was to show that the meaning of the Greek word genea is not at all equivalent to the modern English word “generation.” We shall now proceed to discuss what genea actually means.

1 The primary sense is ‘descendants, family, clan, that is, a group of people with a common ancestor’ (see for instance: New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 2.35).

This primary sense occurs rarely in the New Testament. With the word in singular it occurs in Acts 8:33: “Who can describe his genea? For his life is taken up from the earth.” Both GNB (Good News Bible), JB (Jerusalem Bible) and NIV translate genea here by ‘descendants.’ The word occurs in plural in Matt 1:17 with a closely related sense of ‘succeeding sets of descendants, stages in a genealogy’ and is probably best translated generations: Matt 1:17 “So all the geneai from Abraham to David were fourteen geneai.”

2 The secondary sense is a natural extension of the first sense and can be stated thus: ‘a group of people with a common bond or characteristic; a certain class or type of people’. This sense is common in the New Testament. The Good News Bible (GNB) often translates it simply as “people.” The characteristic feature of the people referred to is in all cases drawn out from the context. I shall go through all New Testament occurrences of genea below (references in parentheses are to parallel passages).

Luke 16:8: “The sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own genea than the sons of light.” The important contextual clue to the characteristic of the group of people referred to is the word “own” which qualifies genea. Therefore, NIV, NEB (New English Bible) and JB have translated it as “dealing with [people of] their own kind.” The sense is “people like themselves in their worldliness” and not as J.B.Phillips puts it: “contemporaries.”

Acts 2:40: “For he [Peter] testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “‘Save yourselves from this crooked genea’.” Here the contextual clue is “crooked.” GNB translates it reasonably well as “save yourselves from this wicked people.” The demonstrative “this” is anaphoric, referring back to the preceding context about the people who rejected the Messiah and nailed him to the cross (v. 36). A more meaning-based (idiomatic) translation of this verse might be: “Disassociate yourselves from those wicked people” or “Turn away from that kind of people, and be saved.”

Phil 2:15: “that you may be...without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse genea.” The contextual clue to the characteristic feature of the group of people referred to is “crooked and perverse.” GNB translates: “in a world of corrupt and sinful people.” NLT (New Living Translation) has “a dark world full of crooked and perverse people.”

Matt 17:17: (Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41) “O, faithless and perverse genea how long shall I stay with you?” Again the characteristic feature of the people referred to is shown by the qualifiers: faithless and perverse. Many commentators claim that the word genea has a pejorative character. This is reading the meaning of the contexts into the meaning of the word. This is what James Barr called “illegitimate totality transfer” (1961:218). Rather, the word genea in itself is neutral. The pejorative part of the overall meaning is supplied solely by the connotations of the context. GNB translates this verse as “How unbelieving and wrong you people are.” J.B.Phillips has: “You really are an unbelieving and difficult people.” NLT has “You stubborn, faithless people!” The actual reference is mainly to the disciples.

Matt 12:39: (Mark 8:12; Matt 16:4; Luke 11:29) “Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, ‘Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.’ But he answered them [scribes and Pharisees], ‘An evil and adulterous genea seeks for a sign...’ “ As usual, the characteristics of the people referred to is shown by the qualifiers: “evil and (spiritually) adulterous.” The actual reference is to those scribes and Pharisees who demanded signs but did not want to accept Jesus. In translating this passage, the GNB deviates from the pattern set by the examples quoted above. It says: “How evil and godless are the people of this day.” Nothing in the Greek text can justify the addition of the words “of this day.” Maybe the GNB translators had not realised at this point that genea is not the same as “generation”? Or maybe they were influenced by Matt 23:36 discussed below? CEV (Contemporary English Version) is better: “You want a sign because you are evil and won't believe!” Matt 23:36 (Luke 11:50): “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! (See v.23,25,27,29) Truly, I say to you, all this will come upon this genea.” Having seen the pattern from the examples above where genea in itself refers to a class or type of people and the qualifying word(s) and the context describe the characteristic feature of the people, it is natural to expect the qualifying word “this” to point to the characteristics of the group of people referred to. The first instance of “this” refers back to the punishment mentioned in verses 33 and 35 (judgment of hell and the blood of all the righteous). It seems most likely that the phrase “this genea” refers back to the group of people he has just been speaking about. Since this is probably a new thought to many people, I shall spell out some of the arguments in more detail.

There are basically two possible interpretations of the meaning of the demonstrative in the phrase “this genea.” (1) Either it refers to the “people living now” in contrast to people living at another time in history or (2) it refers to something mentioned in the preceding linguistic context. Interpretation (1) is very difficult to reconcile with the basic meaning of the phrase tēn genean tautēn and it also does not fit well with the context. First, there is nothing in the context which supports an idea of temporal contrast. Second, nowhere else can the word “this” possibly be understood as meaning “living now.” Third, and most important, in ALL instances of the phrase “this genea,” the demonstrative follows the noun. As mentioned in section 1 of the full article referenced below, this means that the focus is on genea, not on “this.” If the expression had included a contrast between the generation of that time and any other generation, the word houtos should have preceded genea instead of following it. The second interpretation makes much better sense and is in accordance with the meaning attested to the words “this” and genea elsewhere, that is, “this” is a reference to something in the preceding linguistic context, and genea is a certain type of people.

Now let us look at the context of Matt 23:36. The relevant context is 23:1-39. The whole chapter is one long description and denunciation of the practices of certain hypocritical “scribes and Pharisees” and their like. In verse 35 the reference is broadened to similar people in the past who killed the righteous people (with an obvious sting to the self-righteous Pharisees who would soon kill the righteous Jesus). In verse 37 it is broadened to the people of Jerusalem as representing those people who kill the prophets. Upon SUCH PEOPLE (‘this genea’) will come a great punishment (‘all these things’). A possible, more faithful translation of tēn genean tautēn in v. 36 might be “you and people like you.”

Matt 24:34: (Mark 13:30, Luke 21:32) “Truly, I say to you [disciples], this genea will not pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” This is one of the most difficult verses to interpret. Some have argued that the phrase “passing away” suggests that a temporal element is present in the sense of genea here. This does not sound convincing. The next verse says that “heaven and earth” will pass away, while “my words” will not pass away, but no one would suggest that “heaven,” “earth” and “my words” thereby acquire a temporal sense. The word “pass away” does not mean ‘to die’ as GNB suggests. The meaning is much broader and there is no restriction that the subject must be animate as there is in the word “to die.” It simply means “come to an end, cease to exist.” The most obvious meaning of the verse is that certain “things” will continue to exist, while other “things” will cease to exist. Heaven and earth will cease to exist (at least in the present form), but both “my words” and “this class of people” will continue to exist in spite of opposition and tribulation.

It has been suggested that the phrase might refer to the Jewish people as a whole. This, too, I find rather unconvincing. Although the other instances of “this genea” do seem to refer to a group of the Jews, namely those who rejected Jesus as Messiah, this does not necessarily mean that “this genea” always has to refer to Jews. One important difference is that where it refers to the Jews who rejected Jesus, the context has very negative and judgmental connotations. But in this context, the connotations are positive. Whatever the reference is, that class of people will endure through tribulations. By parallelism, the phrase is closely connected to “my words” which is also positive and has endurance. Who would ensure that the words of Jesus were kept in existence through difficult times? It seems to me that “this genea” in this verse most naturally refers to the class of Christians keeping the word of God throughout the ages until the end of heaven and earth. This ties in well with the whole discourse of Matt 24 being directed to the disciples in private (v. 3) and the frequent use of the word “elect” to signify an important thematic participant in the discourse (v. 22,24,31).

A longer answer can be found in my article here: https://www.academia.edu/37043228/Generation_is_a_wrong_translation_choice_for_Greek_genea

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    Thanks for this valuable discussion. If I may, I would suggest to understand the genea in connection with all things to happen is referring to the pertinence of enmity from this kind of people, perhaps even referencing back to the beginning where enmity was set between the progeny of the serpent and the seed of the woman. It serves as a warning to his disciples. (Comp. Paul to Timothy about the display of inimical attitudes even among the disciples and from people outside.) I sincerely appreciate xour thoughts and generosity to share them.(About hell as you mention it I assume you know better)
    – hannes
    Nov 14, 2021 at 14:19
  • Very educative answer. Thanks Dec 8, 2021 at 7:43
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If you assume that Jesus was not trying to trick his disciples, Matt 24:34 would be referring to events Jesus had previously mentioned that were to be fulfilled during the generation of his disciples. Those events included the end of the age:

"And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"" -- Mat 24:2-3 NKJV

We know from the scriptures that some of the things he mentioned were fulfilled; for example:

"But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in ALL THE WORLD as a witness TO ALL THE NATIONS, and then the end will come." -- Mat 24:13-14 NKJV

In that passage Jesus said the gospel would be preached to "all the world", and to "all nations", and then the "end" would come. In a parallel passage in Mark, he said the gospel would be preached to "every creature".

"And He said to them, "Go into ALL THE WORLD and preach the gospel TO EVERY CREATURE." -- Mar 16:15 NKJV

The fulfillments and supporting scripture:

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that ALL THE WORLD [= the Roman Empire] should be taxed." -- Luk 2:1 KJV

"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known TO ALL NATIONS for the obedience of faith:" -- Rom 16:25-26 KJV

"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in ALL THE WORLD; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:" -- Col 1:5-6 KJV

"If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached TO EVERY CREATURE which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" -- Col 1:23 KJV

We know from history that the temple was completely leveled: that every stone of the temple was "thrown down", as Jesus prophesied.

We know from a combination of history and scripture that the abomination of desolation was the arrival of the Roman armies on Judaean soil. Josephus records an event where General Vitellius was confronted by the Jews when he attempted to march his armies through Judaea:

"So Vitellius prepared to make war with Aretas, having with him two legions of armed men . . . But as he was marching very busily, and leading his army through Judea, the principal men met him, and desired that he would not thus march through their land; for that the laws of their country would not permit them to overlook those images [eagles] which were brought into it, of which there were a great many in their ensigns . . . Whereupon he ordered the army to march along the great plain, while he himself, with Herod the tetrarch and his friends, went up to Jerusalem" [William Whiston, Antiquities of the Jews, "The Works of Flavius Josephus Vol 3." George Bell& Sons, 1889, Book XVIII.5.3, Mat 24:15, pp.284-85]

Jesus warned the Christians to flee when they saw the abomination of desolation standing in the "holy place":

"Therefore when you see the "abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." -- Mat 24:15-16 NKJV

And Jesus gave the same warning to flee when the armies of Cestius Gallus arrived on Judaean soil:

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains" -- Luk 21:20-21 NKJV

These three passages are fairly convincing evidence that the abomination of desolation was the arrival of the Roman armies.

For the record, Cestius and his armies left Jerusalem for unknown reasons, giving the Christians time to flee.

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  • How does this theology address the question, the meaning of the Greek word γενεά? Whether this verse is prophetic or it ever came about offers no insight into the meaning of the vocabulary.
    – Schuh
    Oct 20, 2016 at 21:10
  • It is difficult to avoid theology when discussing the scripture. Perhaps the best way to translate the word is to use the first reference: Dec 4, 2016 at 3:56
  • I didn't realize my comment would post if I hit "Enter". This is the first instance of γένεσις in the New Testament: '"The book of the generation [γένεσις] of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." -- Mat 1:1 KJV' Dec 4, 2016 at 4:01
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Definition

Let's look at the Greek here:

enter image description here

The original word for "this generation" is genea. Strong's concordance for this shows:

1) fathered, birth, nativity
2) that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family
   a) the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a 
      genealogy
   b) metaph. a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, 
      character
      1) esp. in a bad sense, a perverse nation
3) the whole multitude of men living at the same time
4) an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied be each successive generation), a 
   space of 30 - 33 years

Definitions 3 and 4 here obviously would include only the people alive at the time that the words were spoken. Definitions 1 and 2 could include people that were not currently alive.

Concordance

If we look at other places where this word is translated, we can see that it's also translated as "times".

Acts 14:16 (NIV) In the past times, he let all nations go their own way.

Acts 15:21 (NIV) For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.

We can also see genea being translated as "nation" in the old King James Version:

Phillipians 2:15 (KJV)
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

However, the original KJV is the only version that uses this this translation (as even the New King James Version uses "generation").

Summary

"Generation" is the best translation, although "times" could be used. According to the definition, "lineage" could also be a translation. However, given that genea is not translated as "lineage" in any major translation, I would hesitate using that.

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I agree with your subtext, if I am not mistaken, that getting Matt 24:34 (“Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”) correct is key to understanding the Olivet discourse.

However, I don’t think that a detailed investigation of the “dictionary definition” of γενιά (generation) is the way to go in this case. (Forgive me if my copy-and-paste lexicon Greek is not up to scratch!)

By looking at the use of the phrase this generation in v.34’s broadest biblical context (taking Ps. 12 and Ps. 24 as examples) and then homing in to the synoptic gospels (in particular the two aimed at a Hebrew audience, namely Matthew itself and also Mark), I believe that the meaning of this phrase becomes immediately and abundantly clear, resulting in a cascade of clarity around v.34’s immediate context (v.32-35: “‘Now learn the parable from the fig tree…but My words will not pass away.’”) as well as the broader context of the entire discourse.

Psalm 12:7

You, O Lord, will keep them; You will preserve him from this generation forever.

It is clear from the context that "this generation" is evil. They are ungodly (v.1a [by implication]); unfaithful (v.1b [by implication]); deceitful (v.2a) and hypocritical (v.2b). The focus is not on a group of people traveling through 70 revolutions of the Earth around the sun, but rather on their attitude and behaviour in relation to God and his will.

Psalm 24:6

This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face — even Jacob.

In this case, it’s clear from the context that the phrase is referring to people who are earnestly desiring a closer walk with God. They are for God, unlike the group in Ps. 12, who are against him.

Turning now to the synoptic gospels:

Matthew 12:41

“The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”

The group referred to stands in opposition to God. The focus is, again, on their attitude, not their lifespan.

Matthew 12:42

“The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it…”

"This generation" will be judged for their refusal to recognise the greatness of Jesus.

Mark 8:12

Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, "Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Again, the focus is on the rebellious nature of this group’s heart towards God.

Mark 8:38

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

The pattern is clear, I’m sure.

These examples represent just a sample of the use of this phrase - the full gamut of which can be researched exhaustively using an online tool like Biblegateway.com.

Now, if we take the liberty of unpacking the use of this phrase slightly in Mk 24:32-34, we get:

“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this adulterous and sinful generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

I believe that this is what Jesus was getting at: that for as long as Earth continues in its fallen, judged state, there will be people around who stand in opposition to his lordship, and that this will continue up until the second coming and the ushering in of his perfect kingdom in all its spiritual and physical fullness.

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  • i'm not disagreeing with you necessarily. I jus wonder who'd think rebellion and sinfulness might pass away before all these things take place
    – Walter S
    Jun 15, 2020 at 0:21
  • Ah, yes I kinda short-circuited my response near the end.. I think the reason Jesus talks about the sinful generation not passing away until the end, is related to his corrective of the error in the disciples eschatological timing, betrayed in their concertinaed query around the destruction of the temple. It’s as if Jesus says “hang on - the end will indeed come, but before then there’ll be a bunch of stuff brought about by this sinful generation. But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, run for your lives! And these sinful things will keep occurring till judgement day, mark my words.
    – user36337
    Jun 15, 2020 at 20:32
  • Welcome to BH. I have edited one of your quotations so that you can see how it is done - to highlight a quoted reference. Please feel free to roll back if you wish.
    – Nigel J
    Jun 17, 2020 at 21:51
  • Hi Nigel, thanks so much for this. I kept moving with my reading around the end times but omitted to revisit this site. I really appreciate your input!
    – user36337
    Sep 12, 2021 at 12:48
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If it is assumed that Jesus was not trying to trick his disciples then “the generation” of My “the words” in Matthew 24:34 and 35 are sure to find fulfillment. The events preceding verse 34 are sure to occur because He spoke them – He generated them.

A look at the phrase ho genea in the gospel writings will bear out the lack of any discrete time component and will conversely usually reveal the use of a supporting phrase to further define the specific ho genea. For example, the events in the first part of Matthew 12:45 results in tE genea tautE tE phoEra - the generation this the wicked, or this (the) wicked (the) generation. The “wicked generation” is a specific generation, which might stand in contrast a “good generation.” There is no timeframe limits given for either generation.

When “all these things” in Matthew 24:34 have been fulfilled then the generation (ho genea) of His words will pass away (parerchomai), but not before. So sure is His word that even heaven and earth are more likely to be passing away (parerchomai), yet by comparison His “the words” (verse 35) shall not be passing away (parerchomai). In other words, His words shall not pass away is more sure than the continuous existence of the heaven and the earth.

The actual day and hour that His generation will find fulfillment (pass away) is delineated in Matthew 24:36. Only Father knows the timing of that final generation (genea) of people that will “see” all these things that Jesus spoke (generated - ho genea) fulfilled.

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    So, what is the best English translation of the Greek γενεά, in your view?
    – Schuh
    Oct 20, 2016 at 21:14
  • Schuh - "Generation" works well. Discover what is being generated and there is a generation.
    – LWise
    Oct 21, 2016 at 23:19
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Yes, in the Greek the word is genea. The best translation of that word (especially in context) is race. Jesus is talking about the fig tree. That is the Israelite race. Look also at what He says about the fig tree after leaving the temple in Matthew 21. All of this is about the Nation of Israel not passing away before all these prophecies are accomplished. A lot of confusion has arisen because of the misinterpretation of this word (full/hyper preterist beliefs). But, I believe they are missing the point of what Jesus was saying here. The Israelite race will not disappear until the Son of Man returns.

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Generation, γενεά, first occurs in Matthew 1:17, Πᾶσαι οὖν αἱ γενεαὶ ἀπὸ Ἀβραὰμ ἕως Δαυὶδ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ Δαυὶδ ἕως τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος ἕως τοῦ Χριστοῦ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες.

It is likely that Matthew enumerates Abraham's seed after Genesis 15:5, And He took him outside, and He said, "Please look heavenward and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So will be your seed." because Matthew begins with: Βίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ, since βίβλος translates Hebrew סֵ֔פֶר, "sefer", like in Genesis 5:1, זֶ֣ה סֵ֔פֶר תּֽוֹלְדֹ֖ת אָדָ֑ם -- LXX αὕτη ἡ βίβλος γενέσεως ἀνθρώπων, "sefer" being from the root "safar" = to count

And more Matthew 2 continues with the appearance of a star. Matthew 2:2, εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ LXX Genesis 15:5, ἀνάβλεψον δὴ εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἀρίθμησον τοὺς ἀστέρας

ἀριθμὸς = number; even gematrial (Revelation 13:18, ὁ ἔχων νοῦν ψηφισάτω τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ θηρίου - the one who has understanding let him calculate the number of the beast)

The number of Hebrew "kochav", star, being 42 , like the 3x14 generations (at least if you leave out the "vav" as being mater lectionis)

It suggests that "this generation" of Matthew 24:34 coincides the 42nd and last generation of Abraham's promised seed, a generation that lasts until the end of time. After the birth of Jesus Christ no other Christ(s) will ever be born. Matthew 1:18, Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γένεσις οὕτως ἦν.

The same is suggested in Matthew 28:20, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μεθ' ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος. And see I am with you all the days until the end of time

which finally answers the question the disciples did ask in Matthew 24:3, Εἰπὲ ἡμῖν πότε ταῦτα ἔσται, καὶ τί τὸ σημεῖον τῆς σῆς παρουσίας καὶ συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος Tell us when these things will be, and what is the sign of your presence and of the end of time

the sign might be well the sign of Jonah -- i.e. the plucked off olive leaf in it's mouth (Genesis 8:11)

The olive has to be pressed to obtain the oil https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/a/32421/22953

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Matthew 24 begins with the disciples admiring Herod's magnificent temple compound and Jesus raining on their parade by announcing that not only is the temple compound going to be utterly destroyed in divine judgement but so also Jerusalem will be judged and destroyed:

NIV Matthew 24:1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Later they ask him when this will happen:

NIV Matthew 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Note that they ask him about the end of the age not the end of the world. This is why "preterism" is also called "covenant eschatology". That is, the eschatology found in Matthew 24 and the rest of the NT is ALL about the 1st century, not our modern times because it is in the first century that "all these things" came to pass, just as Jesus foretold:

NIV Matthew 24:34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

[Act 3:24 YLT] 24 and also all the prophets from Samuel and those following in order, as many as spake, did also foretell of these days.

Notice that it can't be the "race" he is speaking of because he clearly distinguishes the current generation from their fathers, upon whom the visitation did not fall:

[Mat 23:32-38 KJV] 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation [IE: "babies"] of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth [IE: "promised land"], from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, **All these things shall come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

In Matthew 24 Jesus clearly predicts a divine visitation on the Jews that rejected him and those he sent:

[Mat 21:36-45 KJV] 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast [him] out of the vineyard, and slew [him]. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out [his] vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

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  • The disciples didn't just ask about the sign heralding 'the end of the age', but also the sign 'of your coming'. Jesus appears to describe both - in verses not addressed here, he specifically mentions 'the coming of the son of man'. Is he referring to two separate events (many years apart) or are they to occur at the same time (or one immediately after the other)? Dec 20, 2018 at 22:54
  • He came in judgment in 70ad and joined with the Roman army in destroying Jerusalem and the temple. This is a decent introduction: youtube.com/watch?v=KtMDncVazHk
    – Ruminator
    Dec 20, 2018 at 23:26
  • Are you suggesting that he sent his angels at that time to also separate out the 'weeds' and throw them into the fire? This same 'end of the age' συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος is also described in Matthew 13:40 & 49. Dec 21, 2018 at 1:56
  • Yes, the very same. There is only one end of the age and that was when God used Rome to judge Israel, destroy the temple and end the covenants with Israel. Jesus also emptied Hades and judged the dead. And death has been destroyed ("swallowed up in victory").
    – Ruminator
    Dec 21, 2018 at 2:01
  • And the coming of the Son of man? This happened at the same time or directly after? Dec 21, 2018 at 2:07
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"This" is a misleading translation ...

The original Greek translated with the English "this generation" at Matt 24:34 is γενεα αυτη (genea autē), where autē does NOT mean "this one here, in front of me" BUT "this same one" [that will witness all the signs that Jesus has spoken about and in particular these signs]:

The Arrival of the Son of Man

29 “Immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31)

The Second Coming will happen within the span of a generation from the signs that announce it.

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"Generation" is a perfect word! Just because it is a very precise word, it also creates an alogism and paradox, for, in fact, the Lord Jesus Christ speaks not only about the destruction of the Temple, but intertwines and, so to express, "rubs into" or "kneads into" the narrative of Tempe destruction also the narrative of the End of Times.

Now, this is exactly the "stumbling block" for interpreters, and in fact all the above interpreters dodged this stumbling block, having made thus a desperate and from the outset doomed attempt of "taming" as it were the untamable words of the Lord Jesus Christ! Because, it is clear, that those people standing there all died before the End of Times, did not come even close to its unknown remoteness! Then, what? Did He lie? Begone such a blasphemy! Or was Jesus mistaken? Again a blasphemy obtains, for how could He, who possesses Spirit unlimitedly and infinitely (John 3:34) and knows Father just as is Himself known by the Father (John 10:15), err with regard of any future event? Blasphemy and idiocy to entertain such a rotten thought even for a second!

Then what, indeed, then what? - does He imply in that also the people standing in front of Him, who would die within 20-50 or max. 70 years, will also be fully participants of the events of the End of the World?

Yes. That is the only answer. But the question is how and in what sense.

In fact, the only possible answer is that in all epochs there is the absolutely same intensity of opposition between Good and evil (I write first with capital letters, for Good has ontological substance and reality, whereas evil is just a deviation without having ontological substance). As the physical birth happens equally with all humans of all epochs, and also the physical death happens equally with all humans of all epochs, so also all humans of all epochs equally participate, or do not participate, in second voluntary birth in Spirit (John 3:3) and in voluntary death for sin (Romans 6:11).

Thus, the good and brave Christian guys who will live in the time of the final Antichrist in the end of the history and will valorously withstand the persecution of the latter, will in no way have any advantage over us, who will not be there, because in our own historical time too there happens the fight of Christians against powers of evil with absolutely same intensity, and so, we participate or not participate in this fight absolutely similarly as the guys during historical End of Times will, pending on their courage or cowardice, participate or not participate in it.

Therefore, it is quite possible for me not to go to Machu Picchu in Peru and die without seeing this wonderful sightseeing, but it is absolutely excluded that either I, or anybody else, will circumvent the great fight of Good and evil both in our hearts and in our present history, and either to succumb to evil and live in and for our sins, or to die for our sins, defeat evil and be born in Spirit.

So it is impossible for any of us not to undergo the experience of the End of the Times, for all of us will stand in front of the dilemma "either"-"or": either be courageous in Christ and defeat evil, or be pusillanimous and be defeated.

Therefore, it is a thought-provoking truthful paradox given by the Lord to people, that they will participate both in the destruction of Jerusalem Temple, and in the End of the Time events.

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  • @Down-voter Hey, your anonymous excellence! How are you? Would you be as kind and generous as to communicate to me, we whether you did not like form or content, or either? If you are lazy to do so, your right, have a good day! Oct 23, 2021 at 11:59
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Revelation 9:15 holds an important calculation showing the relationship between the Mazzaroth and the 144,000. Each one of the tribes corresponding with an age. Here is my working.

Revelation 9:15 (KJV) And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

If 364

In hours then

364x24=8736 +28x24=672 +24 +1 9433 hrs

Days..364+28+1 393 days

Months...12+1 13 months

Years...1 1 year

9433+393+13+1=9840

12,000 each tribe -9840=2160..?

2160 years is an age.

12x9840=118080 144000-118080=25920. One celestial year.

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