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Matthew 10:23. Some Christians, preterists, believe that Jesus returned soon after the apostle Peter wrote 1 and 2 Peter in 70 A.D. They believe this because of several passages that seem to teach Jesus' immediate coming. Matthew 10:22-23 is a key one.
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And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. But whenever they persecute you in this city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you shall not finish going through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man comes. (NASB) Matt. 10:22-23 |
The
Greek word for "finish going though" is TELEO which simply
means "complete." Every major Greek scholar agrees that
the Bible translators have added words to Jesus' statement! What Jesus
actually said was that they will not "complete" Israel before
He comes. But what does He mean by "complete" Israel? Is
Jesus saying they will not finish going through Israel before His
return? We must remember that TELEO does not refer to elapse of time
but "completeness." He is talking about completing something.
Jesus is talking about evangelizing Israel. Jesus was telling them to flee to the next city when they are persecuted because of Him (Matt. 10:25). The task of converting Israel would not be finished before Jesus returns. In fact, Israel has not been converted yet. This is consistent with Matt. 24:14.
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And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. (NASB) Matt. 24:14 |
Jesus is talking about the evangelization of the world which includes Israel. Even today the gospel has not been preached in the whole world. Matthew 10:23 and Matthew 24:14 are not in conflict. Jesus made both statements.
Matthew 24:23. Some people are confused by Jesus' comment in Matthew 24.
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. . . when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. (NASB) Matt. 24:33-34 |
In order to understand Jesus, we need to remember that He had just finished describing the signs of His Second Coming and the judgment of the righteous and wicked (Matt. 24:1-31). Then He tells them that "this generation" will not pass away. The key phrase here is "this generation." The Greek word "generation" is GENEA. This word means more than just "generation." It has the idea of "birth," "descent," "children," "race" and was even used to refer to the end times (Herodotus of Halicanassus III, 122). It is best to understand Jesus' expression to mean "this race," "this people," or "this period of time." Here is an example from Luke 16:8 (the word is in bold),
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And his master praised the unrighteous steward because he had
acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation
to their own kind than the sons of light. (NASB) Luke 16:8 |
Jesus is talking about the generation that sees these signs. Those
who believe that Jesus came in 70 A.D. say that was not Jesus' Second
Coming but a pre-installment of His Second coming which is yet future.
Here are Jesus' words.
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But 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 the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (NASB) Matt. 24:29-31 |
Scripture never talks about a pre-installment. The gospel has not reached the whole world, the final judgment has not occurred, and earth and heaven have not been destroyed (see Peter 3:8-10 above). Jesus is talking about the generation or people which will see the signs of His coming. When the signs come, that generation will see His Second Coming! |
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