This generation

[Hammster]

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,
— Matthew 11:16


“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,
— Matthew 11:16

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 Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
— Matthew 12:41-42


Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”
— Matthew 12:45


Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”
— Matthew 12:45

And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”
— Matthew 17:17


Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
— Matthew 23:36


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.”
— Mark 8:12


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.”
— Mark 8:38


And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”
— Mark 9:19


Etc.

What do these all have in common? They are all taking about the generation that Jesus is speaking. However, there are eschatological views that expect us to ignore this language in Matthew 24.


Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
— Matthew 24:34

Ideas and words must be added or read into this to make it fit a particular view. However, taken at face value, like the other instances, simply means that the generation that Jesus was speaking to were those in view, not some eisegesical generation in the future.

 

[Minister Monardo]

Ideas and words must be added or read into this to make it fit a particular view. However, taken at face value, like the other instances, simply means that the generation that Jesus was speaking to were those in view, not some eisegesical generation in the future

A true word for the Gentiles and their heart toward Israel.
Isaiah 40:
1 Comfort, yes, comfort My people! Says your God.
2 Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her,
That her warfare is ended,That her iniquity is pardoned;
For she has received from the Lord’s hand
Double for all her sins.
2 temples, 2 judgments....Enough!!
The church is to be an instrument of mercy to the natural olive branches.
Romans 11:
28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning
the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy
through their disobedience,
31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy
shown you they also may obtain mercy.

Psalms 122:
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.
8 For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, Peace be within you.
9 Because of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek your good.

 

[Minister Monardo]

Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
— Matthew 24:34

Matthew 23:
34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes:
some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge
in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,
35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth,
from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah,
whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

If all the righteous blood shed back to Abel was reckoned upon THAT
generation, upon whom will the righteous blood shed since then be
reckoned upon?
The nation of Israel?
Nay, but upon the nations who know not God.
For they are without excuse.

Isaiah 52:10 The Lord has made bare His holy arm
In the eyes of all the nations;
And all the ends of the earth shall see
The salvation of our God.

 

[trophy33]

If all the righteous blood shed back to Abel was reckoned upon THAT
generation, upon whom will the righteous blood shed since then be
reckoned upon?
The nation of Israel?

The nation of Israel played a special role. It was the keeper of the promise of Messiah and had a covenant with God to be a holy nation until then.

But instead, they murdered His prophets, apostles, scribes and His only son.

Every anger of God was put upon the last generation of that kingdom and of that covenant - the generation of the 1st century.

After that, there is no special nation with a covenant, but the New covenant is universal, for both Jew and Gentile. Our sins are put on Christ.

 

[Minister Monardo]

After that, there is no special nation with a covenant, but the New covenant is universal, for both Jew and Gentile. Our sins are put on Christ.

That works out fine for those who believe...
1 Thessalonians 1:
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry
we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the
living and true God,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead,
even Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

 

[Hammster]

If all the righteous blood shed back to Abel was reckoned upon THAT
generation, upon whom will the righteous blood shed since then be
reckoned upon?
The nation of Israel?

What they were doing was far worse than what came before.

 

[HTacianas]

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,
— Matthew 11:16


“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,
— Matthew 11:16

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 Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
— Matthew 12:41-42


Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”
— Matthew 12:45


Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”
— Matthew 12:45

And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”
— Matthew 17:17


Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
— Matthew 23:36


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.”
— Mark 8:12


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.”
— Mark 8:38


And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”
— Mark 9:19


Etc.

What do these all have in common? They are all taking about the generation that Jesus is speaking. However, there are eschatological views that expect us to ignore this language in Matthew 24.


Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
— Matthew 24:34

Ideas and words must be added or read into this to make it fit a particular view. However, taken at face value, like the other instances, simply means that the generation that Jesus was speaking to were those in view, not some eisegesical generation in the future.

Read it for what it says and then look at history to see what happened to that generation.

 

[Minister Monardo]

What they were doing was far worse than what came before.

Yes, because they sinned with "eyes wide open", having been warned.
Leviticus 18:
25 For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity
upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants.
26 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not
commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any
stranger who dwells among you
27 For all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were
before you, and thus the land is defiled,
28 Lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited
out the nations that were before you.
29 For whoever commits any of these abominations, the persons who commit them shall be cut off from among their people.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

This generation is worse, and every generation is getting worser.

3
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

[Petros2015]

This generation is worse, and every generation is getting worser.

Read it for what it says and then look at history to see what happened to that generation.

 

[Hammster]

Read it for what it says and then look at history to see what happened to that generation.

I have.

 

[Hammster]

This generation is worse, and every generation is getting worser.

3
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

That was written to a first century preacher about first century folks. I’m not sure how that addressed this OP, though.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,
— Matthew 11:16


“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,
— Matthew 11:16

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 Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
— Matthew 12:41-42


Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”
— Matthew 12:45


Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”
— Matthew 12:45

And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”
— Matthew 17:17


Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
— Matthew 23:36


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.”
— Mark 8:12


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.”
— Mark 8:38


And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”
— Mark 9:19


Etc.

What do these all have in common? They are all taking about the generation that Jesus is speaking. However, there are eschatological views that expect us to ignore this language in Matthew 24.


Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
— Matthew 24:34

Ideas and words must be added or read into this to make it fit a particular view. However, taken at face value, like the other instances, simply means that the generation that Jesus was speaking to were those in view, not some eisegesical generation in the future.

There's a couple of problems I see with interpreting "this generation" as being the people Jesus was talking to, as you believe. The people He was talking to were part of "this generation", but they alone did not make up "this generation".

The first problem with your interpretation is that most of the people He was talking to would've been dead before 70 AD. So, how could He have been talking about destruction coming upon those people in 70 AD when most of them would've been dead already by then?

Also, are you taking the verses that follow Matthew 24:34 into account when interpreting that verse?

Matthew 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Heaven and earth have not yet passed away. To me, Jesus is saying that this generation would pass away when heaven and earth pass away. So, this generation cannot possibly have passed away yet.

Also, He said no one knows the day or hour when that will happen. How does that apply to anything that happened in 70 AD? What happened in 70 AD that people were not aware of until it happened? That they couldn't see coming at all ahead of time, in other words? Jesus said in verses 37-39 that His coming would occur after the days that would be like the days of Noah when people were oblivious to the flood that was coming. How can that be compared to what happened in 70 AD? People knew what was coming at that time when they saw the Roman armies surrounding Jerusalem, so His claim that no one would know the day or hour had nothing to do with what happened in 70 AD.

He was particularly talking about no one knowing the day or hour of His second coming which He also indicated in other verses like Matthew 24:42-44 and Matthew 25:13. On what day or hour did He come in 70 AD that no one knew about beforehand? It makes no sense at all to apply verses 35 and 36 to 70 AD, so that means it makes no sense to apply verse 34 to 70 AD, either.

When Jesus referred to "this generation", it was not just to people He was talking to at the time. He held "this generation" responsible even for the blood of Abel and of the prophet Zechariah (Matt 23:35). Obviously, the people He was talking to did not kill Abel or Zechariah. So, He was talking about a type of people. A type of people that were evil, wicked and adulterous. Yes, the Jews who rejected Him and had Him killed were those type of people. Yes, they were judged in 70 AD and God's wrath came down on them, but Jesus wasn't just talking about them in Matthew 24:34. What Jesus was saying in Matthew 24:34 is that type of people (evil, wicked, adulterous) will not pass away until Jesus returns and burns up the heavens and earth (2 Peter 3:10-12) which will cause them to pass away (as we know them).

Those that try to say that "this generation" refers to some future chronological generation are wrong as well. He was not just talking about people alive at the time He was speaking nor only about people that would be alive in a future time. He was talking about a type of "generation" (Greek: genea) who were evil and adulterous. Even Cain was part of "this generation" since Jesus indicated that "this generation" killed Abel. So, He was clearly not just referring to the Jews only when referring to "this generation", but to anyone who was like those who killed innocent people like Abel and the prophets. This generation is still around today as there are still evil and adulterous (spiritually adulterous against God) people in the world. And that will continue to be the case until the glorious return of Jesus Christ in the future.

What both preterists and futurists fail to recognize is that in the Olivet Discourse Jesus talked both about a local event that was going to occur in and around Jerusalem (which happened in 70 AD) AND a global event that would occur in the future relating to His second coming at the end of this temporal age. As long as that is the case, you will continue to misinterpret (at least part of) the Olivet Discourse.

 

[DavidPT]

That was written to a first century preacher about first century folks. I’m not sure how that addressed this OP, though.

Some of you aren't factoring things in, or are interpreting what should be factored in, incorrectly. Such as the times of the Gentiles. That has be fulfilled before this generation can pass. If you argue it was fulfilled before this generation passed, this proves my point in regards to factoring something in, but then interpreting it incorrectly. Clearly, the times of the Gentiles have not been fulfilled since we are still in those times as we speak. Clearly, Jesus said all must be fulfilled before this generation can pass away. Clearly, this has to include the times of the Gentiles running it's course, which means that until the period of time that involves comes and goes, those times haven't been fulfilled yet. Though they are being fulfilled as we speak, that is not the same as fulfilled though, since the latter means those times are over with entirely, which simply isn't the case yet.

 

[HTacianas]

I have.

Take the same study through the Revelation.

Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius..."

Many there were indeed who sold what they had for one measure; it was of wheat, if they were of the richer sort; but of barley, if they were poorer. - The Jewish War by Flavius Josephus

 

[Blade]

"ideas and words must be added or read into this to make it fit a particular view. However, taken at face value, like the other instances, simply means that the generation that Jesus was speaking to were those in view, not some eisegesical generation in the future."

Hi you said "taken at face value" yet you not the word you told us who Jesus was really speaking to. Now He was asked about the future the end no? He told them who asked what they would see and those that see that.. they are the last gen. Thats how I simply read and understand it. Also for the 1st time in history we are seeing all those things happen at one time. Knowing OT said Israel would become a nation in a day.. wow that happened and she is blooming.

Praise GOD glory to Jesus

 

[Petros2015]

This generation

Could "this generation" be interpreted as "humanity"?

 

[Spiritual Jew]

"ideas and words must be added or read into this to make it fit a particular view. However, taken at face value, like the other instances, simply means that the generation that Jesus was speaking to were those in view, not some eisegesical generation in the future."

Hi you said "taken at face value" yet you not the word you told us who Jesus was really speaking to. Now He was asked about the future the end no? He told them who asked what they would see and those that see that.. they are the last gen. Thats how I simply read and understand it. Also for the 1st time in history we are seeing all those things happen at one time. Knowing OT said Israel would become a nation in a day.. wow that happened and she is blooming.

Praise GOD glory to Jesus

Where does it say that the modern nation of Israel would become a nation in one day? That is not what the following passage is about:

Isaiah 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. 8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

This passage is saying that "a man child" would bring about the birth of a nation in one day. The "man child" is referring to Jesus. Did Jesus bring about modern day Israel? No. Most of them reject Him. You're thinking of the wrong nation. Here is the nation that Jesus brought into being in one day:

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

This verse is about the church which Peter called a "holy nation". It's about the spiritual Israel of God. It was born in one day because it came about by way of the resurrection of Christ. When He was resurrected, many people became part of that "holy nation" of which Christ is the cornerstone. All of the Old Testament saints immediately were brought into that holy nation along with His disciples and others alive at the time who believed in Him. That was the nation born in one day. To suggest that the prophecy is speaking of an earthly nation of which most of its people deny Christ makes no sense at all.

The Zion mentioned in that prophecy is not earthly Zion, but rather is the heavenly Zion referenced here:

Hebrews 12:18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

Could "this generation" be interpreted as "humanity"?

No, not all of humanity. Unbelieving humanity in general. When Jesus spoke of "this generation" He referred to it as a sinful, evil, wicked and adulterous generation. So, He was referring to unbelievers in particular. He indicated that "this generation" existed already from the beginning because He said "this generation" was even responsible for the death of Abel (Matt 23:36). This shows that Cain was the type of person that "this generation" represents and he too is part of "this generation" along with everyone else like him who has rebelled against God ever since.

 

[keras]

Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
— Matthew 24:34

Ideas and words must be added or read into this to make it fit a particular view. However, taken at face value, like the other instances, simply means that the generation that Jesus was speaking to were those in view, not some eisegesical generation in the future.

It is plain that Jesus was speaking Prophetically to the disciples at that time:
Luke 21:29-36 Jesus told them a parable: Look at the fig tree, as soon as it buds you can tell that summer is near. In the same way when you see all this happening, you will know that the Kingdom of God is near. Truly, I tell you the present generation will live to see it all. My words will never pass away.

Be on your guard, do not let your minds be dulled by dissipation or worldly cares so that the great Day catches you unawares, for that Day will come upon everyone, the whole world over. Be on the alert, praying at all times for strength to pass safely through all that is coming and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.
Ref: REB

The present generation - or the generation present: the same thing. When they; those alive to see Judah become a nation again, we will know the end times are upon us.

The fig tree – Israel is the vine, Judah is the fig tree: Isaiah 5:7, Hosea 9:10. The parable of the fig tree applies to the House of Judah, Matthew 21:43. Therefore when Judah starts to bud, that is: becomes a nation again, as they formed the State of Israel in May 1948, then within that generation, [a lifetime of 70 to 80 years] the end times events will commence. Ezekiel 12:25

The great Day – The Day of the Lord’s vengeance and wrath, the multi prophesied judgement/punishment of the nations, an event that will come unexpectedly, sudden and shocking all those who have failed to understand the Lord's plans and purposes. Isaiah 29:5-12, Isaiah 66:15-16, Revelation 6:12-17

That Day will come upon everyone – There is no ‘rapture’ at this time, all will go through this judgement. Isaiah 24:1, Psalms 50:1-3, Zephaniah 3:8

Strength to pass safely through – This is often mistranslated as ‘escape all these things’, which is a serious error and is incorrect, as the previous sentence has just stated ‘that Day will come upon everyone’. What the Lord promises, is not a removal from earth – an escape as such, but protection. Psalms 91, Isaiah 43:1-2

The presence of the Son of Man – Jesus called Himself the ‘Son of Man’, when He was present on earth in a human body. This was necessary so as He could become our ‘kinsman Redeemer’. After the great Day of the Lord, when every faithful Christian has gathered in the holy Land, they will stand in His presence when the 144,000 are selected; Revelation 14:1. Then, later at His glorious Return, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords; His Name will be ‘The Word of God’. Revelation 19:13