Matthew 24 & 25

Context

The disciples of Jesus did not wrap their minds fully around the crucifixion of Jesus.

Even though Jesus told them of His future plan, His disciples rejected the notion. Matthew 16:21–22 “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”

Why did His disciples struggle with Jesus dying? Their narrative was that when the Messiah comes, He will ascend to the throne of David.

Luke 24:21 “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.”

Isaiah 9:6–7 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

They viewed prophecies like this as an unbroken prophecy, rather than a prophecy that is broken into two parts.

Even though there are Old Testament scriptures that prophecy Jesus’ death, the disciples did not understand them to be connected with Jesus until after His resurrection:

Luke 24:25–32 “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”

The events that led up to Matthew 24.

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem - Matthew 21.

Jesus cleanses the Temple - Matthew 21.

Jesus gives parables - Luke 19:11 “And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.”

Jesus pronounces woe on the religious establishment - Matthew 23.

Jesus weeps for Jerusalem - Matthew 23.

Matthew 23:39 “For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

The disciples were at a heighten state of readiness for Jesus to take the throne leading up to what Jesus says in Matthew 24:1–3, “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 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. 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?”

This was the opposite of what they expected to hear.

Their hopes and reams have been turned upside down.

Therefore they asked Jesus 3 questions:

When shall these things be? - Jesus’ coming and the destruction of the Temple.

What shall be the sign of thy coming? - Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, Even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.”

When will the end of the world (age) come?