Was Jesus Wrong In Matthew 24:34?

[Hidden In Him]

Last year, a thread was created which declared Jesus to essentially be a false prophet. The posts stated:

"I am skeptical about Jesus being who he claimed to be (I'm not a Christian btw)... He said in so many words, 'this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.' And he was wrong. He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else." Moses words in Deuteronomy 18:21-22 state, “But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?’ If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared." Surely, either Jesus' prophecy is truthful or he is made a false prophet by Moses' words?

The actual verse in question is this: "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened." (Matthew 24:34)

The above mentioned thread was shut down since non-Christians are no longer allowed to post except in Questions and Answers, but to answer his "dilemma" here, it is simply this: The common translation of γενεὰ in the expression "οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη" using the word "generation" is actually in error. γενεὰ was used of an "age" as well, and that is what the Lord was referring to here. He was saying "This age - i.e. the church age, prior to the millennium - will not pass away until all these things are fulfilled."

Did the apostles interpret Him to mean He was returning in their time? Yes, it appears they did. But our Lord knew what He was saying, and warned them in that very same Chapter NOT to get lackadaisical, should He not return right away, lest they began to spiritually abuse His people. He was signaling He was well aware His return would not be soon, though it may have been to their benefit to believe it was.

44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:44-51)

Any other responses to the argument raised by the non-Christian are welcome. I am simply presenting mine.

Blessings in Christ,
Hidden In Him

 

[for_his_glory]

This generation, Matthew 24:34 means generational line of those who follow Christ and endure all things until the end of days and Christ returns. Generation can refer to a group of people, a period of time, or even a lineage

Matthew, Mark and Luke are three disciples who wrote of the same witness as they testify of what Jesus gave as answers to the three questions the disciples asked Him. When shall these things be? What shall be the sign of they coming and the end of the world? Matthew 24:3

The first thing Jesus proceeds to tell them is that of the destruction of the Temple of God that happened in 70AD and then proceeds to speak of the beginning of sorrows, Matthew 24:4-8, Rev 6:1-17, and not to be deceived nor be troubled for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Matthew 24:9-26 Jesus tells the disciples of the afflicting trials and tribulations that the abomination of desolations that Daniel spoke of, Daniel Chapter 7, 9, 11; Rev Chapter 13, that they must endure all the persecutions even to death while preaching the Gospel, Matthew 10:28, during the six seals, seven trumpets and seven vial judgments until Christ returns.

Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times, but God's covenant promises stand forever given to all who will come to Him by His mercy and grace through faith and believe in His only begotten Son Christ Jesus, John 3:16-17.

 

[Hidden In Him]

This generation, Matthew 24:34 means generational line of those who follow Christ and endure all things until the end of days and Christ returns. Generation can refer to a group of people, a period of time, or even a lineage

That's another plausible interpretation, FHG, and thanks for posting.

The reason I somewhat favor "age" is because it renders the expression akin to "Heaven and earth shall not pass away," but it's not a slam dunk. I believe the Lord sometimes used words that could have more than one meaning so that His people would have to seek Him out for the truest interpretations; something we are still doing to this day.

Blessings,
- H

 

[Hidden In Him]

Btw, the original post was by Wheat Field, who had originally posted this:

Lay Anglican theologian and author C.S. Lewis wrote the following (from 'The world's last night and other essays' - 1960):

"Say what you like" we shall be told, "the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New Testament that they all expected the Second Coming in their own lifetime. And, worse still, they had a reason, and one which you will find very embarrassing. Their Master had told them so. He shared, and indeed created, their delusion. He said in so many words, 'this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.' And he was wrong. He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else."

Lewis described this verse (Mathew 24:34, Luke 21:32 & Mark 13:30) as the 'most embarrassing verse in the Bible'.

Are the sceptics right that this represents a serious obstacle to faith?

 

[Hidden In Him]

Lay Anglican theologian and author C.S. Lewis wrote the following (from 'The world's last night and other essays' - 1960):

"Say what you like" we shall be told, "the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New Testament that they all expected the Second Coming in their own lifetime. And, worse still, they had a reason, and one which you will find very embarrassing. Their Master had told them so. He shared, and indeed created, their delusion. He said in so many words, 'this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.' And he was wrong. He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else."

Lewis described this verse (Mathew 24:34, Luke 21:32 & Mark 13:30) as the 'most embarrassing verse in the Bible'.

Are the sceptics right that this represents a serious obstacle to faith?

Wheat Field. In keeping with the OP, I would say absolutely not (i.e. to the notion it presents an obstacle to faith). Lewis was refuting an argument that arose from a faulty translation of the text.

By the way, what page of The World's Last Night And Other Essays is this quote found in?

 

[Johann!@#]

Wheat Field. In keeping with the OP, I would say absolutely not (i.e. to the notion it presents an obstacle to faith). Lewis was refuting an argument that arose from a faulty translation of the text.

By the way, what page of The World's Last Night And Other Essays is this quote found in?

I believe it's this?

“The Most Embarrassing Verse in the Bible” – C.S. Lewis

Here is C.S. Lewis’s explanation of the problem: “Say what you like,” we shall be told, “the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New…

bloggingtheology.net

J.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I believe it's this?

“The Most Embarrassing Verse in the Bible” – C.S. Lewis

Here is C.S. Lewis’s explanation of the problem: “Say what you like,” we shall be told, “the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New…

bloggingtheology.net

J.

Thank you, sir.

Found a PDF. The context states the following, and He raises an interesting question. I will quote the passage first:

"Say what you like" we shall be told, "the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New Testament that they all expected the Second Coming in their own lifetime. And, worse still, they had a reason, and one which you will find very embarrassing. Their Master had told them so. He shared, and indeed created, their delusion. He said in so many words, 'this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.' And he was wrong. He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else."

It is certainly the most embarrassing verse in the Bible. Yet how teasing, also, that within fourteen words of it should come the statement "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are In heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.' The one exhibition of error and the one confession of ignorance grow side by side. That they stood thus in the mouth of Jesus himself, and were not merely placed thus by the reporter, we surely need not doubt. Unless the reporter were perfectly honest he would never have recorded the confession of ignorance at all; he could have had no motive for doing so except a desire to tell the whole truth. And unless later copyists were equally honest they would never have preserved the (apparently) mistaken prediction about "this generation** after the passage of time had shown the (apparent) mistake. This passage (Mark 13:30-32) and the cry "Why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) together make up the strongest proof that the New Testament is historically reliable. The evangelists have the first great characteristic of honest witnesses: they mention facts which are, at first sight, damaging to their main contention.

The facts, then, are these: that Jesus professed himself (in some sense) ignorant, and within a moment showed that he really was so. To believe in the Incarnation, to believe that he is God, makes it hard to understand how he could be ignorant; but also makes it certain that, if he said he could be ignorant, then ignorant he could really be. For a God who can be ignorant is less baffling than a God who falsely professes ignorance. The answer of theologians is that the God-Man was omniscient as God, and ignorant as Man. This, no doubt, is true, though it cannot be imagined. Nor indeed can the unconsciousness of Christ in sleep be imagined, nor the twilight of reason in his infancy; still less his merely organic life in his mother's womb. But the physical sciences, no less than theology, propose for our belief much that cannot be imagined.

Full text of "The World S Last Night And Other Essays"

 

[Johann!@#]

Thank you, sir.

Found a PDF. The context states the following, and He raises an interesting question. I will quote the passage first:

"Say what you like" we shall be told, "the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New Testament that they all expected the Second Coming in their own lifetime. And, worse still, they had a reason, and one which you will find very embarrassing. Their Master had told them so. He shared, and indeed created, their delusion. He said in so many words, 'this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.' And he was wrong. He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else."

It is certainly the most embarrassing verse in the Bible. Yet how teasing, also, that within fourteen words of it should come the statement "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are In heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.' The one exhibition of error and the one confession of ignorance grow side by side. That they stood thus in the mouth of Jesus himself, and were not merely placed thus by the reporter, we surely need not doubt. Unless the reporter were perfectly honest he would never have recorded the confession of ignorance at all; he could have had no motive for doing so except a desire to tell the whole truth. And unless later copyists were equally honest they would never have preserved the (apparently) mistaken prediction about "this generation** after the passage of time had shown the (apparent) mistake. This passage (Mark 13:30-32) and the cry "Why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) together make up the strongest proof that the New Testament is historically reliable. The evangelists have the first great characteristic of honest witnesses: they mention facts which are, at first sight, damaging to their main contention.

The facts, then, are these: that Jesus professed himself (in some sense) ignorant, and within a moment showed that he really was so. To believe in the Incarnation, to believe that he is God, makes it hard to understand how he could be ignorant; but also makes it certain that, if he said he could be ignorant, then ignorant he could really be. For a God who can be ignorant is less baffling than a God who falsely professes ignorance. The answer of theologians is that the God-Man was omniscient as God, and ignorant as Man. This, no doubt, is true, though it cannot be imagined. Nor indeed can the unconsciousness of Christ in sleep be imagined, nor the twilight of reason in his infancy; still less his merely organic life in his mother's womb. But the physical sciences, no less than theology, propose for our belief much that cannot be imagined.

Full text of "The World S Last Night And Other Essays"

Thank you brother.

J.