At the beginning of Mark chapter thirteen Jesus is leaving the temple area and one of his disciples points out the grandure of the temple buildings. Jesus' remark to that disciple concerns the fact that these buildings will one day be torn down. The disciples question Him further as to the times of these events, and so begins an extended teaching from Jesus on the end times.As Jesus' remarks are drawing to a close, He makes this comment in Mark 13:30:
"Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place." (NASB)
So the reader is left to wonder the meaning of this statement. Either our understanding of generation is wrong, or we are understanding what Jesus meant by "these things" wrong. I think there are at least two solutions.
"Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place." (NASB)
So the reader is left to wonder the meaning of this statement. Either our understanding of generation is wrong, or we are understanding what Jesus meant by "these things" wrong. I think there are at least two solutions.
The word for generation (genea: Greek) could mean, as some side column reference Bibles note, "the human race". This is possible, since the events have not all happened and the human race is still on earth. But this is not the most natural reading of the word generation. Typically, you would think of a generation as a time span of less than 100 years, or the maximum typical life span.- Another option, and the one I lean more in favor of is another understanding of the phrase "take place". In the Greek New Testament it is one word (genitai: a 2 Aorist Middle Subjunctive Verb, 3rd Person Singular). David Allen Black, in his book It's Still Greek To Me, lists a sense of the aorist verb as Ingressive Aorist. That is, it stresses the beginning of an action.
So if I am labelling this verb right, and I hope I am, then we could translate the verse, "Truly I say to you, that this generation will not pass away until these things begin to take place." This would mean that the events of the end time began with the persecution of the church and the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. If this is right, then Jesus' generation did most certainly live to see these things take place.
Comments
To start, it is important to read the entire passage especially the preceding 2 verses in each passage: Matthew 24:32-33 , Mark 13:28-29 , and Luke 21:29-31. These verses are giving the illustration of the fig tree as an example that when a generation sees a fig tree’s leaves come out , that generation also knows that summer is near and that summer will come to pass in that same generation. The generation being mentioned in the passages of our discussion was not the generation that Jesus was speaking in, but rather the generation that will see the signs of his second coming happening -- I.E. the sun and moon being darkened and the stars falling. It is the generation that sees all of these signs that knows they will also see the second coming of Jesus. No one knows when this will happen before the signs happen! A good translation of the passage can be found in the New Living Translation that phrases Luke 21:32 "I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these events have taken place." The scene is implied in other translations meaning that the generation that sees the signs including that sign of the sun and moon darkening and the stars falling will also be the generation to witness the second coming of Jesus. The scene is a period of time on earth when these signs will happen. The generation that experiences this scene also will experience the second coming of Christ. If you trust God and the Bible, this is what the implied meaning of the passages is! These passages DO NOT refer to the generation Jesus was speaking in at the time or any other generation other than the generation that will witness the signs mentioned! The reason this passage can create such controversy is because Satan is working in many peoples minds (including my own at one point) to distort the meaning to be that Jesus was wrong because his generation never witnessed the second coming of Jesus! This is completely wrong and all of you who trust Jesus will know in your hearts that JESUS IS GOD AND IS NEVER WRONG. Who is more likely to be wrong -- the humans misinterpreting this passage and non believers or Jesus our God? This is a rhetorical question of course and the obvious answer is that humans make mistakes but God never does. Sure it is easy to see how this passage could be misinterpreted, but I can assure you that GOD IS RIGHT and his meaning of generation in the passages being discussed is the generation that sees the signs. Just as someone who would see a fig tree’s buds become tender and predict when summer is near so can the generation that sees the sun and moon darken and the stars fall also predict the second coming of Christ. No one can predict when this will happen until the signs mentioned in the passages come to reality! Again, who is more likely to be wrong here -- your initial interpretation of the word of God or the author of the work you misinterpreted -- The almighty living GOD Himself? God is never wrong. Our God was. Our God is. And our God will always be truth and love. Let's not kid ourselves here -- If we use this verse to try to discredit the Bible or God, we are only being blinded by thoughts put into our heads by the father of lies himself. Don't believe a lie. Believe the truth. Trust in Jesus -- He died for our sins.
We know that the things contained in: Matthew 24:29 , Mark 13:24-25 , and Luke 21:25 have not yet happened as obviously the sun and moon still produce light and the stars are still in the sky; therefore, we know that Christ's second coming has not yet happened! We also know that the Jesus is not wrong and that the Bible is true to its meaning not a misinterpreted meaning. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
I also agree with Jerry because he too is saying that the generation being referred to is the generation that will witness the signs. I think as Mike said, the confusion is stemming from the use of “this generation” in the Bible, but it is important to note that because Jesus has been describing a people or generation that will witness the signs “this generation” is referring to that specific generation that will witness the signs and not the current generation or time period he was speaking in.
Stay Blessed!
Matt
Jeremiah 29:11
Hi Guys, I have been moved to put a response here because I think a lot of people may be missing the meaning of 3 passages that foretell of the second coming of Jesus. I think this because I had initially misinterpreted the same passage myself and found many crazy justifications and stories on the internet about how to explain these passages that just are not true! I got so confused myself with all the garbage and incorrect information on these passages that it took me a little bit of time to cut through the lies and find the truth. I want to relay that truth to you! The same message creating the confusion is relayed in the following 3 verses of the Olivet Discourse in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 24:34 , Mark 13:30 , and Luke 21:32. Let us clear this controversy up together so that we have no more doubt over these passages!
To start, it is important to read the entire passage especially the preceding 2 verses in each passage: Matthew 24:32-33 , Mark 13:28-29 , and Luke 21:29-31. These verses are giving the illustration of the fig tree as an example that when a generation sees a fig tree’s leaves come out , that generation also knows that summer is near and that summer will come to pass in that same generation. The generation being mentioned in the passages of our discussion was not the generation that Jesus was speaking in, but rather the generation that will see the signs of his second coming happening -- I.E. the sun and moon being darkened and the stars falling. It is the generation that sees all of these signs that knows they will also see the second coming of Jesus. No one knows when this will happen before the signs happen! A good translation of the passage can be found in the New Living Translation that phrases Luke 21:32 "I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these events have taken place." The scene is implied in other translations meaning that the generation that sees the signs including that sign of the sun and moon darkening and the stars falling will also be the generation to witness the second coming of Jesus. The scene is a period of time on earth when these signs will happen. The generation that experiences this scene also will experience the second coming of Christ. If you trust God and the Bible, this is what the implied meaning of the passages is! These passages DO NOT refer to the generation Jesus was speaking in at the time or any other generation other than the generation that will witness the signs mentioned! The reason this passage can create such controversy is because Satan is working in many peoples minds (including my own at one point) to distort the meaning to be that Jesus was wrong because his generation never witnessed his second coming! This is completely wrong and all of you who trust Jesus will know in your hearts that JESUS IS GOD AND IS NEVER WRONG. Who is more likely to be wrong -- the humans misinterpreting this passage and non believers or Jesus our God? This is a rhetorical question of course and the obvious answer is that humans make mistakes but God never does. Sure it is easy to see how this passage could be misinterpreted, but I can assure you that GOD IS RIGHT and his meaning of generation in the passages being discussed is the generation that sees the signs. Just as someone who would see a fig tree’s buds become tender and predict when summer is near so can the generation that sees the sun and moon darken and the stars fall also predict the second coming of Christ. No one can predict when this will happen until the signs mentioned in the passages come to reality! Again, who is more likely to be wrong here -- your initial interpretation of the word of God or the author of the work you misinterpreted -- The almighty living GOD Himself? God is never wrong. Our God was. Our God is. And our God will always be truth and love. Let's not kid ourselves here -- If we use this verse to try to discredit the Bible or God, we are only being blinded by thoughts put into our heads by the father of lies himself. Don't believe a lie. Believe the truth. Trust in Jesus -- He died for our sins. it is through him that you will attain everlasting peace and happiness. Your life will be filled with true joy. Trust in him and realize the awesome things he can do in your life. Don’t be blinded any longer by a lie.
We know that the things contained in: Matthew 24:29 , Mark 13:24-25 , and Luke 21:25 have not yet happened as obviously the sun and moon still produce light and the stars are still in the sky; therefore, we know that Christ's second coming has not yet happened! We also know that the Jesus is not wrong and that the Bible is true to its meaning not a misinterpreted meaning. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
I think the confusion is stemming from the use of “this generation” in the Bible, but it is important to note that because Jesus has been describing a people or generation that will witness the signs “this generation” is referring to that specific generation that will witness the signs and not the current generation or time period he was speaking in.
Stay Blessed!
Matt
Jeremiah 29:11
Thanks anyway!
I know that the Lord did not mean his generation but when given this as a point by a non beliver I had no answer but what you said and my own Bible study I am now cofident that I can answer the question if it arrises again.
Thank you
No one is turning Jesus' words around. You are correct in saying that God inspired the Scriptures and that they should be handled exactly.
However, you seem to be overlooking the fact that God inspired the Scriptures in the original Greek language. This Greek language is what we are building our case from.
Please look into it further and use a little more wisdom with your words. I appreciate your fervor, but be careful with your accusations.
That train is long gone.... Paul missed it, others missed it.. What is left is your wishfull thinkig to believe what your "holy spirit" will tell you :)
I appreciate your clarity though. Like C.S. Lewis stated, Jesus is either Lord, a liar, or a lunatic. I at least appreciate you taking a firm stand.
Thanks for your input.
I won't say that Jesus is a liar. I would go so far to claim that those of his followers were the liars.
In my opinion, Jesus was typical Jewish Messiah. He had one purpose, to build the Kingdom of David, the promissed Kingdom of God.
Than, he got killed.. The question is who was interested in perpetuating the legend that lately sarounded him? Three people come in mind, Mary Magdalene, the one who allegedly found the empty tomb. Than comes the man who betray his Master three times, Peter, and than the so called Apostel Paul, who most probably was epileptical case.
Looking at the pure ethical teachings of Jesus, it is obvious that he is a Apocaliptic Prophet. His zeal is to prepare people for the on coming event. The coming of the Kingdom of God.
Seeing that context, the passage in question here can be break down in the following:
1. It is no prophecy. It talks about the distruction of Jerusalem. Since the Mark evangelium is written 70 years after Jesus death on 33 years, than we come to 73, some 3 years after Jerusalem distruction. That means that the writer of Mark evangelium knew the Event and he was puting Jesus prophecy in mouth.
Nothing new, Matthew did this in many occations.
2. Since he knew that Jesus is dead, he talked about his second coming after this event. This should have been during his own time of life span, his generation.
The truth is that we will never know exactly. That is why it is controversial issue.
Kingd regars.
For since we believe that Jesus died and arose, so also, through Jesus, God will
bring with him those who are asleep [i.e., dead]. For we say this to you by a
word of the Lord, that we who are living who remain until the coming of the
Lord, will in no way precede those who have slept. For the Lord himself will
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are living,
who remain, will be snatched up together with them in the clouds to meet the
Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:14–17)
In no small measure this passage is interesting because in it Paul does not presuppose that he will be one of the “dead in Christ”; rather, he thinks that he will be one of those “who are living, who remain.” Paul anticipates this end of the age to come within his lifetime.
I hope it does not ruin your faith. But the reality is hard.
Kind reards.
First of all, the gentleman above is correct when he points out that when Jesus refers to "this generation" in Mark 13:30, he is referring to the generation that witnesses the signs after the tribulation period. You have to read the entire passage and never take one verse out of context. That is the first rule that must be followed when reading the Bible.
Secondly, the gentleman that made the comment that Paul was convinced that Jesus would return during his lifetime, was very much mistaken. Again, if he had taken a look at all the scriptures before coming to his conclusion he would clearly know better. In fact I sincerely hope this message finds him so he is able to rethink his conclusion. In the book of 2 Timothy, Paul is writing to Timothy near the end of his life. Paul is imprisoned in Rome it is clear that he is aware the end of his life is near (and from the passage it is clear that he believes his "departure" will occur before the coming of Christ). You read and be the judge. 2 Timothy 2:6-8 "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have love His appearing." Paul is stating that he has fought the good fight and upon his death he will receive a crown of righteousness from Jesus, his righteous Judge...and the good news is that we can all receive this same reward. To God be the glory through Jesus our Lord!
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