Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 Connections
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After covering each account in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 in a verse by verse commentary, attempting to isolate the text. It seems to be a fitting next step to draw similarities and differences of these different accounts. Here I will also go verse by verse and share each related verse to the other accounts. If a specific verse does not have a very similar verse. I will isolate it and try to do my best at why the writer differs from the other accounts.
Openers - Matt 24:1-3 , Mark 13:1-4 , Luke 21:5-7
And as Jesus went out of the temple courts he was going along, and his disciples came up to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone will be left here on another stone that will not be thrown down!”
And as he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came up to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
And as he was going out of the temple courts, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What great stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here on another stone that will not be thrown down!”
And as he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
And while some were speaking about the temple, that it was adorned with precious stones and votive offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see—days will come in which not one stone will be left on another stone that will not be thrown down!”
And they asked him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
Each of these accounts start with the same opening questions from the disciples confusion as Jesus explains the destruction of the temple. “not one stone will be left here on another stone that will not be thrown down!” Mt 24:2. This seems like the same instance addressed in each gospel. People have speculated that these could be completely different to each other because of the variety of information each account addresses. As we progress through the text we will see if that is a possible interpretation. It does seem from these opening verses that they are all addressing the same discussion but approaching it from different angles. Remember differences are proof of reliability. Matthew says that “the disciples” came to him privately. Mark highlights Peter, James, John, and Andrew but also privately. While Luke says “they” and does not even focus on the specific people asking Jesus in his account. Both Matthew and Mark highlight that this discussion is located on the Mount of Olives. Luke doesn’t include any location.
The opening question from most likely Jesus’ closest followers has much dispute in my opinion. Both Luke and Mark exclude the part in Matthew’s account. “and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” A prevalent interpretation is called Preterism. Where most (or all) end times prophecy in both the Old and New Testaments are fulfilled. Meaning the 70 AD destruction of the temple has fulfilled most of what we will look at in the upcoming verses. Yet, Matthew’s account phrases the question in a way that does not focus on the destruction of only the temple. But the second coming of Christ and “the end of the age”. Which Preterist’s have offered a interpretation for b
Warning of Deception - Matt 24:4 , Mark 13:5 , Luke 21:8
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you!
So Jesus began to say to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you!
And he said, Watch out that you are not deceived! For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them!
Clearly this has to be important. The writers opens each one of these accounts the the exact same way. The deception specifically surrounding this topic is evident.
False christs - Matt 24:5 , Mark 13:6 Luke 21:8b
For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will deceive many.
Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and they will deceive many.
Luke 21:8b (LEB)
For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them!
All accounts focus on the same idea here. That many individuals will come and falsely declare they are the christ. Through this declaration, they will deceive many into believing them. As I highlighted in the verse by verse commentaries. It may not be limited to only those who declare “I am He” but also those that claim to represent Him. As more details are given later on in the passages. Luke also adds they will also declare, “the time is near!’ Do not go after them!” Which seems to mentioned in Matthew 24:23-26 and Mark 13:21-23 with much more detail. Most likely Luke combines these details about the false christs as he wanted to focus on other aspects of the teaching. I will highlight that as the topics arise.
Wars and Rumors - Matt 24:6 , Mark 13:7 , Luke 21:9
And you are going to hear about wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is not yet.
And when you hear about wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must happen, but the end is not yet.
And when you hear about wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end will not be at once.”
All three accounts reiterate the same thing. Wars and rumors of wars will cause much trouble. But the end is not yet. Luke adds insurrections or commotions.
Nation verses Nation - Matt 24:7a , Mark 13:8a , Luke 21:10
Matthew 24:7a (LEB)
For nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom...
Mark 13:8a (LEB)
For nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom...
Then he said to them, “nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom.
Each account has the same phrases. Nation will rise against nation. Kingdom will rise against kingdom.
Famines, Pestilences, and Earthquakes - Matt 24:7b-8 , Mark 13:8b , Luke 21:11
Matthew 24:7b–8 (LEB)
and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.
Mark 13:8b (LEB)
There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines. These things are the beginning of birth pains.
There will be great earthquakes and famines and plagues in various places. There will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.
Both Matthew and Mark seem to be saying the same with the Luke account. That famines, pestilences, and earthquakes are the beginning of sorrows or birth pains. Yet, Luke adds “there will be fearful sights and great signs in heaven.” This could be an additional piece of information instead of what happened in Luke 21:8 where it was a summary of something Matt/Mark both cover. We have each account go into detail with heavenly signs regarding the coming of the Son of Man in Matt 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, Luke 21:25-28. So it seems unlikely that it is another summary of something Luke doesn’t focus on. He could be tying these events together or adding information surrounding these “beginning of sorrows.”
Political and Religious Persecution - Matt 24:9 , Mark 13:9 , Luke 21:12-13
“Then they will hand you over to persecution and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations because of my name.
“But you, watch out for yourselves! They will hand you over to councils and you will be beaten in the synagogues and will have to stand before governors and kings because of me, for a witness to them.
“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will turn out to you for a time of witness.
Luke differs from the others in that he starts with a period of time. “but before all these things,”. Matthew has a generalization of this people group as “all nations”. Explaining that those that hate the name of Christ will deliver up believers to tribulation and death. Luke and Mark follow in step as they describe religious and political persecution for believers. Declaring that this will be a time of testimony regardless of how bad the situation may appear.
Matthew’s Focus - Matt 24:10-12
And then many will be led into sin and will betray one another and will hate one another, and many false prophets will appear and will deceive many, and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold.
Here Matthew breaks off as he explains how his more generalized account will take shape. That it is not only standing before kings and governors. But those that hate Christ, will also hate believers. This will include a mass number of false prophets taking positions of power that deceive the masses. Lawlessness will abound. Causing people to focus on self preservation.
A Time of Witness - Luke 21:13-17 , Mark 13:11-13a
This will turn out to you for a time of witness. Therefore make up your minds not to prepare in advance to speak in your own defense, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to resist or contradict. And you will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put to death some of you. And you will be hated by all because of my name.
Mark 13:11–13a (LEB)
And when they arrest you and hand you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you should say, but whatever is given to you at that hour, say this. For you are not the ones who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all because of my name...
Both Luke and Mark focus instead on the time of witness in the trail. Explaining that the Holy Spirit will be there with us, giving us a mouth to speak truth to the persecutors. Unfortunately however, those who hate us will be even those in our own home. Causing betrayal from our families but hatred coming from all of those who make themselves enemies of the cross.
God’s Protection Luke 21:18
Even a hair of your head will never perish!
Thankful Luke has included this encouragement to believers in his account. That God is the One who will be looking over His people. Despite what terrible things we have listed here. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you!
The Gospel Going Forth Matt 24:14 , Mark 13:10
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations.
Simple enough to understand. Matthew seems to be much more focused on the widespread preaching of the gospel and tying it to “the end”.
The Good Fight - Matt 24:13 , Mark 13:13b , Luke 21:19
All three accounts teaching a continuation in the faith. Matthew and Mark focus on “the end”.
But the one who endures to the end—this person will be saved.
Mark 13:13b (LEB)
... But the one who endures to the end—this one will be saved.
By your patient endurance you will gain your lives.
The Abomination of Desolation - Matt 24:15-20 , Mark 13:14-18
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken about by the prophet Daniel standing in the holy place” (let the one who reads understand), “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! The one who is on his housetop must not come down to take things out of his house, and the one who is in the field must not turn back to pick up his cloak. And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! But pray that your flight may not happen in winter or on a Sabbath.
“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be” (let the one who reads understand), “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! The one who is on his housetop must not come down or go inside to take anything out of his house, and the one who is in the field must not turn back to pick up his cloak. And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! But pray that it will not happen in winter.
Matthew and Mark are almost word for word here. Matthew’s only real addition here is the Sabbath. As his audience is primarily Jews, this makes perfect sense.
Jerusalem Surrounded - Luke:21:20
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.
Luke as the gentile historian, focuses not about the Jewish Abomination of Desolation, but the destruction of the major city of Jerusalem.
Judeans Flee - Matt 24:15b-20 , Mark 13:14b-16 , Luke 21:21
Matthew 24:15b–20 (LEB)
...“then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! The one who is on his housetop must not come down to take things out of his house, and the one who is in the field must not turn back to pick up his cloak. And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days!
Mark 13:14b–16 (LEB)
...“then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! The one who is on his housetop must not come down or go inside to take anything out of his house, and the one who is in the field must not turn back to pick up his cloak.
Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside it must depart, and those in the fields must not enter into it,
Days of Vengeance - Luke 21:22
because these are days of vengeance, so that all the things that are written can be fulfilled.
Luke adds a noteworthy addition. Explaining that these days are happening that they my fulfill the scriptures.
Woe to those - Matt 24:19 , Mark 13:17 , Luke 21:23a
And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days!
And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days!
Luke 21:23a (LEB)
Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! ...
Winter - Matt 24:20 , Mark 13:18
But pray that your flight may not happen in winter or on a Sabbath.
But pray that it will not happen in winter.
Wrath Against this People - Luke 21:23b-24
Luke 21:23b–24 (LEB)
… For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people, and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Luke who focuses on a Gentile audience deals with the Destruction of Jerusalem that will usher in the time of the Gentiles.
Great Tribulation - Matt 24:21 , Mark 13:19 , Luke 21:23b
For at that time there will be great tribulation, such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will happen.
For in those days there will be tribulation of such a kind as has not happened from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will happen.
Luke 21:23b (LEB)
… For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people,
Shortened Days - Matt 24:22 , Mark 13:20
And unless those days had been shortened, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened.
And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has shortened the days.
False Christs and Prophets - Matt 24:23-26 , Mark 13:21-23
“At that time if anyone should say to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘Here he is,’ do not believe him! For false messiahs and false prophets will appear, and will produce great signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you ahead of time! Therefore if they say to you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it!
“And at that time if anyone should say to you, “Behold, here is the Christ,’ ‘Behold, there he is,’ do not believe him! For false messiahs and false prophets will appear, and will produce signs and wonders in order to mislead, if possible, the elect. But you, watch out! I have told you everything ahead of time!
Obvious Second Coming - Matt 24:27-28
For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
Heavenly Signs - Matt 24:29-30 , Mark 13:24-26 , Luke 21:25-27
“And immediately after the tribulation of those days,
‘the sun will be darkened
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will fall from heaven,
and the powers of heaven will be shaken.’
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
“But in those days, after that tribulation,
‘the sun will be darkened
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.’
And then they will see the Son of Man arriving in the clouds with great power and glory.
“And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity from the noise of the sea and its surging, people fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud with power and great glory.
Worldly Sorrow - Matt 24:30
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Collection of the Saints - Matt 24:31 , Mark 13:27
And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect together from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other end of it.
And then he will send out the angels, and will gather the elect together from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven.
Look up! - Luke 21:28
But when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!”
Parable of the Fig Tree - Matt 24:32-33 , Mark 13:28-29 , Luke 21:29-31
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: Whenever its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also you, when you see all these things, know that he is near, at the door.
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: Whenever its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also you, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the door.
And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they put out foliage, now you see for yourselves and know that by this time the summer is near. So also you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
The Promise of This Generation - Matt 24:34-35 , Mark 13:30-31 , Luke 21:32-33
Truly I say to you that this generation will never pass away until all these things take place! Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Truly I say to you that this generation will never pass away until all these things take place! Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Truly I say to you that this generation will never pass away until all things take place! Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
No One Knows - Matt 24:36 , Mark 13:32
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows—not even the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone.
“But concerning that day or hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven nor the Son—except the Father.
The Days of Noah - Matt 24:37-41
For just as the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark. And they did not know anything until the deluge came and swept them all away. So also the coming of the Son of Man will be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
Doorkeepers - Mark 13:33-34
Watch out! Be alert, because you do not know when the time is! It is like a man away on a journey, who left his house and gave his slaves authority—to each one his work—and to the doorkeeper he gave orders that he should be on the alert.
Be Alert until that Day - Luke 21:34-36
“But take care for yourselves, lest your hearts are weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of daily life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who reside on the face of the whole earth. But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Unknown Coming - Matt 24:42 , Mark 13:35a
Therefore be on the alert, because you do not know what day your Lord is coming!
Mark 13:35a (LEB)
Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—
Master of the House - Matt 24:43-44
But understand this: that if the master of the house had known what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think he will come.
Watch! - Mark 13:35b-37
Mark 13:35b–37 (LEB)
—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or early in the morning—lest he arrive suddenly and find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be on the alert!”
The Two Servants - Matt 24:45-51 , Luke 12:41-48
“Who then is the faithful and wise slave whom the master has put in charge of his household slaves to give them their food at the right time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find so doing when he comes back. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave should say to himself, ‘My master is staying away for a long time,’ and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign his place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!
And Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us, or also for everyone?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful wise manager whom the master will put in charge over his servants to give them their food allowance at the right time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find so doing when he comes back. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave should say to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time to return,’ and he begins to beat the male slaves and the female slaves and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign his place with the unbelievers. And that slave who knew the will of his master and did not prepare or do according to his will will be given a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did things deserving blows will be given a light beating. And from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be demanded, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will ask him for even more.
