Matthew 24:34Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In order to prevent the disciples from returning with the inquiry, "When will these events occur?" the Savior emphasizes the closeness of that period, stating, "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, until all these things are fulfilled." What does He mean by "all these things"? He refers to the occurrences in Jerusalem: conflicts, famine, disease, earthquakes, false messiahs, and false prophets, as well as the extensive dissemination of the Gospel, upheavals, and all other events that must transpire before His return. When He mentions "this generation," it does not refer to those alive at that time, but rather to the faithful believers.

When referring to 'this generation,' He is not speaking about the people of that particular time, but rather about the faithful generation. This signifies that 'this generation shall not pass away' until all these events come to fruition. When you hear of starvation and disease, do not assume that such disasters will lead to the extinction of the faithful; instead, they will endure, and no fears will prevail against them. Some interpret 'all these things' solely as relating to the siege of Jerusalem, rather than the second coming, suggesting that 'this generation shall not pass away' means that the contemporaries of the apostles would have already witnessed all the occurrences surrounding Jerusalem. To affirm this, He states, 'It is easier for heaven and earth, the solid and immovable elements, to be destroyed than for any of my words to fail.'

It has been stated that there exists a distinct lineage of righteousness and wickedness. Therefore, this refers either to the entirety of humanity or specifically to the Jewish people.

He predicted many events concerning the siege of Jerusalem and the occurrences leading up to His return. Why, then, did He refer to "this generation"? He identified the faith of His disciples as a generation. To prevent the apostles from believing that the calamities He described would completely extinguish the proclamation of the Gospel and all who believed in Him, He reassured them that the mission of His followers would endure until the culmination of the age, and nothing would obstruct it. He had previously foretold and affirmed this truth in diverse ways, but since they seemed to forget, He reiterated it once again.

Uncertainty often leads individuals to a sense of ease. When we are aware that a particular occurrence is inevitable, we take it seriously and prepare ourselves accordingly. To prevent the apostles, who were hesitant about His return and preferred the safety of doubt over the perils of certainty, from becoming complacent, Jesus reinforced His teachings with an oath, declaring, 'Truly I say to you, this generation shall not pass away, as all these things shall be.’ In times of profound peril, substantial preparation is essential, which in turn necessitates precise guidance and admonition. It must be recognized that Christ did not aim to convey to His followers that the impending judgment was already underway, but rather that it was destined to occur in the future.

Verily I say to you, declares the Lord with sovereign authority, it will not come to completion until all these events occur; the present generation shall not pass away before everything I predict regarding Jerusalem and the Jewish people is fulfilled. In less than forty years, turmoil, starvation, diseases, natural disasters, uprisings, conflicts, deceivers posing as Christs, and false prophets will emerge throughout this land. The faithful generation, those earnestly seeking the Lord, shall endure, as these events are certain to unfold.

The indicators of this or that era are evident in the unfolding events. Just as one can discern the approach of summer by observing the tender branches and budding leaves of a fig tree, we can interpret the signs associated with these events to gauge the arrival of a particular age. Concerning Jerusalem, the Lord has explicitly declared that this generation will not pass until all that pertains to Jerusalem is realized. My words endure more firmly than heaven and earth. However, it remains inconceivable to predict the exact day or hour of these occurrences.

The inquiry from the disciples focused on two topics: the timing and indicators of the end of Jerusalem and the world, as well as the return of Christ. Up until this point, the Lord had addressed the latter part of their query. From this moment onward, He begins to clarify the timeline for the prophesied events. He first instructs them to recognize the signs that indicate the approaching end, akin to how one discerns the arrival of summer by the soft and leafy branches of the fig tree. Moreover, He specifies when His prophecy will commence fulfillment, stating, “This generation shall not pass away, until all these things be fulfilled.” This is indeed the case, as the destruction of Jerusalem occurred approximately 40 years later, in 70 AD.

Do not overlook the signs I have provided regarding the impending downfall of Jerusalem; consider the fig tree: when its branches become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you will recognize these familiar indicators that summer approaches. Likewise, in relation to what I have shared with you: when you witness the foretold occurrences unfolding, understand that judgment is imminent, already knocking at the door for the people of Israel. Truly, I assure you that it will happen soon; many individuals currently living will witness these disasters firsthand, experiencing them personally. Everything I have proclaimed will indeed come to pass, for even the heavens and the earth may perish before my words fail to be realized.

This generation will not fade away: the current generation is destined to remain. The fall of Jerusalem was indeed witnessed by those to whom the Lord preached, occurring approximately 36 years after this prophecy was spoken, in 70 A.D. When contemplating these statements in relation to the Second Advent, St. Chrysostom explains: What is meant by “all these things”? It reflects the events that befell Jerusalem: wars, famine, diseases, earthquakes, false messiahs, false prophets, the widespread proclamation of the Gospel, insurrections, and conflicts — all necessary occurrences prior to His return. How then did He assert that “this generation shall not pass away”?

Those who listened to these words recognized them as coming from the Lord who governs the destinies of all creation, whose every declaration will surely come to pass (Luke 1:37). The individuals who were alive until the Jewish war, which culminated in the fall of Jerusalem, were undoubtedly personal witnesses to the fulfillment of the Lord's prophecies, including, as noted by the Church historian Eusebius, James, the inaugural bishop of Jerusalem, along with many of Christ's followers.