FocusDeception, distress, and endurance
Connection to the wholeJesus answers the disciples with warnings against deception and with calls to endurance, placing hardships within a wider witness to the nations.
interpretation Matthew 24:8
KJVAll these are the beginning of sorrows.
Read it in context
Questions and coming troubles
Start reading at Matthew 24:1 (Matthew 24:1 to Matthew 24:14).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Jesus answers the disciples with warnings against deception and with calls to endurance, placing hardships within a wider witness to the nations.
- 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
- 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
- 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?
- 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
- 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
- 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
- 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
- 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
- 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
- 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
- 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
- 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
- 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
- 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Matthew the apostle and tax collector is the author named by early church tradition. This is the historic attribution, not a personal signature in the Gospel. Biblical references: Matthew 9:9; Matthew 10:3. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Matthew, Gospel of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Matthew 24:1–25:46): Jesus teaches His disciples privately on the Mount of Olives in response to their questions about the temple's destruction and His coming. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? A Christian readership deeply familiar with Israel's Scriptures, commonly understood as substantially Jewish in background but also concerned with the Gentile mission. A particular congregation or city is not certain. Biblical references: Matthew 1:1; Matthew 5:17; Matthew 28:19. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Matthew, Gospel of. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Questions and coming troubles. Read Matthew 24:1 through Matthew 24:14 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Jesus answers the disciples with warnings against deception and with calls to endurance, placing hardships within a wider witness to the nations. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The narrative moves from Jesus' ancestry and birth through His ministry, death, resurrection, and commission. The Gospel does not state a modern calendar date for its composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative includes Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth, Galilee, journeys, and Jerusalem. A discourse or parable can describe places other than where Jesus is speaking. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Questions and coming troubles (Matthew 24:1 to Matthew 24:14). Start reading at Matthew 24:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus is the central figure. Matthew identifies Him as Emmanuel, explains His saving mission, and concludes with His authority and commission. Read each teaching with its original listeners and its place in the narrative. See Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Join hearing Jesus' words with doing them. Distinguish instructions to named disciples on a particular mission from a general application, and keep conditions and warnings alongside promises. interpretation
Cited: Matthew 24:1, Matthew 24:14, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19
Who wrote it, and how we know
Matthew (Levi), the apostle
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionEarly church testimony names Matthew the apostle, notably Papias in the early second century and Irenaeus later.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text. The titles were attached early but are not part of the original writing.
Other accounts of this event
The prediction concerning the temple and coming troubles
Parallel accounts
These discourses overlap, but their arrangement and wording differ. The link does not settle disputed prophetic timelines.
Related passages
- All these are the beginning of sorrows. Lev 26:18-29 Deut 28:59 Isa 9:12,17,21 Isa 10:4 1 Thess 5:3 1 Pet 4:17-18
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Matthew 24
This Gospel presents Jesus in relation to Israel's Scriptures and follows His teaching, death, resurrection, and commission. It does not name a specific original recipient. Read individual sayings within their narrative and discourse settings. The Olivet discourse begins with the temple setting in 24:1–3 and continues through 25:46; this chapter is not the complete unit.
Matthew 1:1 Matthew 28:18 Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:20
Desolation and false claims
Matthew 24:15–28FocusFlight and discernment
Connection to the wholeSpecific warnings about desolation and fleeing are followed by cautions against deceptive reports about the Christ.
interpretation The coming of the Son of man
Matthew 24:29–35FocusSigns and certainty
Connection to the wholeJesus speaks of His coming and teaches from the fig tree, affirming the reliability of His words.
interpretation Watchful servants
Matthew 24:36–51FocusUnknown timing and faithfulness
Connection to the wholeThe discourse turns explicitly to readiness and faithful service. Its warning about an unknown day and hour must not become a date-setting formula.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Matthew
This Gospel presents Jesus in relation to Israel's Scriptures and follows His teaching, death, resurrection, and commission. It does not name a specific original recipient. Read individual sayings within their narrative and discourse settings.
Matthew 1:1 Matthew 28:18 Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:20
The promised Messiah introduced
Matthew 1:1–4:16FocusOrigins and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe genealogy, birth, baptism, and temptation establish Jesus' identity and mission before His public preaching expands.
interpretation The kingdom proclaimed
Matthew 4:17–7:29FocusMinistry and the mountain discourse
Connection to the wholeJesus announces the kingdom, calls disciples, and teaches the righteousness and obedience that characterize His hearers' response.
interpretation Authority and mission
Matthew 8:1–10:42FocusWorks of mercy and sent disciples
Connection to the wholeHealings and other mighty works display Jesus' authority; He then commissions disciples and prepares them for opposition.
interpretation Responses to the kingdom
Matthew 11:1–13:58FocusOpposition, revelation, and parables
Connection to the wholeContrasting responses to Jesus lead into parables that explain hearing, growth, judgment, and the kingdom's value.
interpretation Following the Messiah
Matthew 14:1–18:35FocusIdentity, suffering, and community
Connection to the wholeJesus teaches disciples about His coming suffering and about humility, care for others, correction, and forgiveness.
interpretation FocusConflict, judgment, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe journey to Jerusalem and temple disputes lead into warnings about judgment and the need for faithful readiness.
interpretation Death, resurrection, and commission
Matthew 26:1–28:20FocusThe crucified and risen Lord
Connection to the wholeJesus' passion and resurrection bring the narrative to the commission to teach all nations and obey His commands.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.