Matthew 24:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In good season He thus introduces their own woes, as here they will receive consolation from the common calamities; and He held out to them not this comfort only, but also that of the cause for which they should suffer, shewing that it was for His name’s sake, And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

That preaching therefore was not accomplished by the Apostles, while as yet there were nations among whom it had not begun to be fulfilled. The words of the Apostle also, Their sound hath gone out into all the world, though expressed as of time past, are meant to apply to something future, not yet completed; as the Prophet, whose words he quotes, said that the Gospel bore fruit and grew in the whole world (Ps. 19:4.), to shew thereby to what extent its growth should come. If then we know not when it shall be that the whole world shall be filled with the Gospel, undoubtedly we know not when the end shall be; but it shall not be before such time.

He explains that after all these events unfold and the gospel is proclaimed throughout the entire world, utter devastation shall come upon the Jews. Indeed, prior to Jerusalem's destruction, the gospel had been communicated worldwide, as Paul affirmed: "Be still from the hope of the gospel which ye have heard preached to all the creatures under heaven." If he traveled from Jerusalem to Spain, one can only imagine the extent to which the other apostles ventured. Thus, Jerusalem faced ruin after the gospel had been disseminated universally, leaving the Jews without a semblance of defense, especially as the potency of the preaching spread rapidly across the globe, illuminating every corner while they remained entrenched in disbelief and obstinacy.

Consequently, the full weight of all kinds of heresies, which were previously mere whispers, will infiltrate the sacred space, bringing devastation to the Church of Christ. Given the freedom to act, these forces will take firm control of the churches. It is important to note that predictions of wars, famines, earthquakes, plagues, heresies, the absence of the Word, persecutions of Christians, and declining morality were already evident during the time spanning from Constantine to the reign of Theodosius.

The faithful remnant, existing in the wilderness amid peril, is nurtured by God’s providence and is flourishing, demonstrating to both Gentiles and Jews that it has been entrusted with a spiritual kingdom that encompasses the entire world. The Church expands with remarkable speed among the most primitive and uncivilized nations; the testimony of the apostles is visibly reaching the far corners of creation; the triumph of the gospel is even approaching the household of Caesar. The wisdom that flows from the mouths of the gospel messengers leaves no room for resistance when they bear witness before the authorities in the name of Jesus. After listening to Paul, the Roman governor nearly embraces Christianity; even the Pharisees, swayed by his words, shift from being accusers to defenders; and the entire Sanhedrin is struck dumb by the rebuttals of the fishermen, who charge them with the murder of the Messiah. For this reason, St. Chrysostom remarks, “After the gospel has been proclaimed to the whole world, Jerusalem faces its destruction, so that the ungrateful cannot offer even a pretense of defense. Those who have witnessed His mighty power, which was manifestly revealed and swiftly spread across creation, what excuse can they give for their ingratitude? To confirm that the gospel was preached universally, listen to what Paul states: ‘ye shall not fall away from the hope of the gospel... which is proclaimed to every creature under heaven’ (Colossians 1:23). You are aware of how quickly Paul journeyed from Jerusalem to Spain. If he alone covered such a vast portion of the world, consider how much others have accomplished. For Paul also asserts that the gospel ‘bears fruit and grows throughout the whole world’ (Colossians 1:6). This is the most significant testament to Christ's authority, that His message reached the farthest boundaries of the earth in just twenty to thirty years. And then, as Christ proclaims, ‘the END will come,’ not for the entire world, but specifically for Jerusalem.

Our Lord Jesus Christ came, in part, to remind and clarify this message not just to the Jews, but to all of humanity. Consequently, the ultimate judgment of mankind must inevitably be delayed until the Gospel of the Kingdom is declared to all nations as a witness (Matthew 24:14). Only at that point can judgment be rendered. Even then, the just Lord will assess individuals according to their level of accountability: The servant who was aware of his master’s will yet remained unprepared and did not act accordingly will face severe punishment; whereas the one who was unaware yet committed acts deserving of punishment will receive a lighter consequence. Moreover, from those who have been given much, much will be expected, and from those to whom much has been entrusted, more will be required (Luke 12:47-48).

The term "testimony" carries an additional implication: when the Gospel is proclaimed universally and some refuse to believe, it stands as a witness against them. Christ refers to this situation as "for a testimony" to those who have not believed, implying a basis for rebuke and judgement. The proclamation serves as a testimony, for those who have faith will bear witness against those who do not, thereby condemning them (Chrysostom, cf. Theophilus). The phrase "and then shall the end come" pertains not to the end of the world, but rather to the fall of Jerusalem. Christ indicated that this end would occur after the Gospel had been preached prior to Jerusalem's destruction. As Paul stated, "their voice went through all the earth, and to the uttermost parts of the universe their words" (Rom. 10:18), and also remarked on "the gospel which was proclaimed to all the creatures under heaven" (Col. 1:23). You are aware of how Paul quickly advanced from Jerusalem to Spain. When one considers the vast distances he covered, it invites reflection on how much others have accomplished (Chrysostom).

With the imminent separation in mind, He sought to remind His disciples of the truths they had often heard from Him, even during His initial mission (Matthew 10:17-22), and simultaneously to bolster their spirits amid the approaching tribulations with the assurance of divine aid. Take heed to yourselves: before these adversaries lay hands on you and deliver you to synagogues and prisons, you will face trials and beatings, and you will be led away before rulers and kings for my sake, for my name's sake. Yet this will serve as your testimony. When you are brought before them, do not premeditate what to say; it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit will provide the words at that hour. I will grant you wisdom and a voice that your opponents will be unable to refute or contradict. Then many will stumble, betraying one another and harboring hatred, many false prophets will arise and mislead many, and due to the proliferation of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold. You will be betrayed by parents, siblings, relatives, and friends, who will turn against you unto death; a brother will betray his brother, a father his child, and children will rise up against their parents and cause their death. You will be despised by all nations because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be lost. In patience, you will secure your souls; he who perseveres to the end shall be saved. This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testament to all nations, and then the end will come. The persecution of those who preach Christ's teachings, the division between believers and non-believers, leading to the severing of the closest family bonds, the weakening of mutual love, and the rise of temptations from false prophets—these afflictions were the conditions from which a new realm, the Christian world, would emerge from the ashes of the old. The Lord’s words concerning the destruction of Jerusalem were fulfilled with exactness. Prior to Jerusalem's fall, four Roman emperors fell by the sword; civil unrest erupted through three wars, while external conflicts ravaged the Roman provinces. Rome suffered devastating fires, and vice proliferated, leading to a complete moral decline. During this period, Judea faced a severe famine (Acts 11:28), resulting in many deaths in Jerusalem, as documented by the Jewish historian Josephus Flavius. Under Emperor Claudius, famine struck Rome, Greece, and Palestine on four distinct occasions. Tacitus also notes the presence of deadly plagues during this era. Cities like Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colossae were destroyed by earthquakes, as were Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, and Samos. According to Josephus, Palestine was inundated with deceivers and magicians, misleading the populace with alleged miraculous acts done by supposed divine power. Among these impostors were Dositheus the Samaritan, who claimed to be the Messiah, Simon the Magician, also a Samaritan, who called himself the son of God, Febla, Menander, and others. The Jews, in their rejection of Christ, eagerly anticipated a conquering Messiah and were quick to follow any charlatan who appeared. Josephus notes that even before Jerusalem was besieged, omens foreshadowing the city's destruction manifested: for an entire year, a star resembling a sword hovered over the city; before the war began, during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the altar and the sanctuary glowed as brightly at night as during the day; the brass gates of the temple, which required the strength of twenty men to close and featured deep locks, opened of their own accord at night; and during the Feast of Pentecost, priests entering the temple to serve heard first noises and movements followed by voices commanding, "Let us depart from here!" (The Jewish War, 17:5). Before the city’s destruction, persecution against Christians commenced. Following the ascension of the Divine Master, His disciples began to spread the Gospel, provoking a backlash from both Jews and Gentiles, including rulers, authorities, governors, and kings. Ruthless oppressors imprisoned the apostles (Acts 4:3) and confined them (Acts 5:18; Acts 12:4), brought them to trial (Acts 4:7; Acts 5:27), beat them (Acts 5:40), and killed them (Acts 7:58; 12:2). Apostles including James the son of Zebedee, James the Lord's brother, Peter, and Paul became martyrs for their faith. Despite this, the Word of the Lord continued to spread (13:49), leading the Apostle Paul to affirm that during the time before Jerusalem's destruction, the Gospel was broadcast throughout the earth, and its message reached the farthest corners of the globe (Rom. 10:18), with it preached to every creature under heaven (Col. 1:23). The Gospel permeated the known world at that time. Many false prophets emerged, against whom the apostles admonished the faithful (1 John 4:1; Jude 1:4). All these signs that once heralded the fall of Jerusalem will reappear before the end of the world, as foretold by the Lord, who connected the distant future with the immediate crisis. When the lawless one makes his appearance, his coming will align with the workings of Satan, manifesting in all power, signs, and wonders of deceit, and through every form of unrighteousness directed at those who are perishing (2 Thess. 2:8-10). The successors of the holy apostles, the shepherds and teachers of Christ's Church, along with all faithful followers of the Lord, will endure severe persecution for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God (Rev. 20:4).