It is revealing to compare Matthew 24 to the other two synoptic gospels to clarify the time references.
Matt. 24:3 “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying Tell us, when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
Mark 13:3, 4 “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?”
Luke 21:7 “And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things and what sign will there be when these things shall be come to pass?”
One explanation that is not shared by this student of the Bible is that Jesus’ two questions are inquiries about two different periods in history. The explanation is that these three questions distinguish two basic questions: (1) when is the sign of your coming and (2) the sign of the end of the world. According to this view, Matthew 24 deals with the first question in the first half of the chapter and the last question in the second half of the chapter and into chapter 25.
Once again, Jesus was not asked about the signs for the end of the world. The “end of the age” were the words used and it is clearly defined by its use in the Scriptures as referring to the end of the Mosaic rule. While no one is denying that three questions are asked, the question to be answered is whether the last two refer to the same event or to two different events in time?
Notice the comparison, again.
Matthew Mark Luke
“When will these things be?” When will these things be? When, therefore, What will be the sign of your What will be the will these things be? coming and of the end of the sign when all things What will be the
age? are going to be fulfilled? sign when these things are about to
take place?
By noticing the synoptic comparison, we can see from Mark and Luke that only two questions are asked; namely, (1) When will these things be? and (2) What will be the sign that they are about to happen? The sign of “his coming” is the same as the “sign of the end of the age” because His coming in judgment will complete that present age and usher in a new era.
The first thing we notice when comparing the three accounts is that all three use “these things” and refer to the things Jesus had just told the disciples (the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem (24:2).
Second, Matthew’s account of the questions amounts to just two questions, like Mark and Luke. Matthew’s account looks like he may be asking three questions on the surface, with the last two distinguishing the destruction of Jerusalem and a final return at the end of time, as is taught. Adherents to this view either make verse 29 or 36 the point of transitioning from a discussion of the question of authority to the final judgment. However, the language of verses 37-39, while it is claimed is a reference to the end of the world, is the same language used in Luke 17:22-37, which clearly refers to Jerusalem’s destruction. Luke 17 took place several days before the Matthew 24 discourse as Jesus and the apostles traveled to Jerusalem for the final week of his life.
In the next blog, I’d like to explore this breakdown of Luke 17 and Matthew 24, particularly.