by Ptr. Art Calaguas
Shalom.
We have seen that the first few verses of the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:4-8; Mark 13:5-8; and Luke 21:8-11) are matched up quite well regarding the sequence of eschatological events with the first 4 seals of the scroll of God’s judgment broken open in Revelation 6:1-8 (the 4 riders on different colored horses) and the vision in Zechariah 6:1-8 (the 4 chariots with different colored horses). There would be false messiahs; wars and rumors of war between nations and kingdoms; and famines and earthquakes in some places. The Lord Jesus also tells the disciples that these things must come first and the end does not come immediately. Things get worse before the end when redemption comes with the Messiah. It is called the beginning of birth/labor pains.
Matthew 24:9-14 continues to tell of the forthcoming eschatological events as part of these childbirth pains. In Matthew 24:9 the Lord specifically refers to his disciples and believers (i.e., the Church) being hated and subjected to tribulation and death because of his name, not only by the Ἰουδαῖοι (the Jewish ruling politico-religious authorities opposed to him) but by all nations. This verse uses the distinct word θλῖψις (“thlipsis” meaning tribulation; https://biblehub.com/greek/2347.htm). It is the second time Matthew uses this word. The first time was in Matthew 13:21 when the Lord was explaining the Parable of the Sower and the 4 Soils, specifically the seed sown on rocky places and tribulation (θλῖψις, “thlipsis”) or persecution (διωγμός, “diógmos” https://biblehub.com/greek/1375.htm) comes. Matthew actually uses θλῖψις only 4 times in his entire Gospel; 3 of those times are found in chapter 24; we are encountering the first occurrence now.
The Lord continues to prophesy in Matthew 24:10-12 that during those times of tribulation for the Church, many will fall away and even betray and show hatred for one another. Many false prophets (ψευδοπροφήτης, pseudoprophétés) will come and mislead even believers. And since lawlessness (ἀνομία, anomia) is to be multiplied, the love (ἀγάπη, agape) of many will grow cold. This time of tribulation is certainly a time of sifting steadfast, true believers from the rest. Harking back again to the Parable of the Sower and the 4 Soils in Matthew 13:1-23, we now see this warning already given then.
In Matthew 24:13-14 the Lord Jesus says that the one who endures or perseveres (ὑπομένω, “hupomenó”) up to the end will be saved. And the Lord declares that the end (τέλος, “telos” meaning the consummation of the principal aim/purpose; https://biblehub.com/greek/5056.htm) will come after the gospel of the kingdom has been proclaimed/preached to the entire inhabited world (οἰκουμένη, “oikoumené”) as a testimony to all the nations. The Lord fully expects his Church to spread the good news/gospel (εὐαγγέλιον, “euaggelion”) to all the nations and persevere through all tribulations to be saved at the end. A foretaste of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) is given here; a foreshadowing as well of the tribulations to come; and the expectations and encouragement for perseverance and endurance up to the very end of his true disciples and believers.
Mark 13:9-13 parallels Matthew 24:9-14 but the verse content order seems to be somewhat different. Mark 13:9 speaks about the believers being betrayed and hailed to court, flogged in the synagogues, and standing before governors and kings because of the Lord’s name as a testimony to them. Then Mark 13:10 says that the gospel must first be proclaimed. These 2 verses parallel Matthew 24:9 and 24:14, respectively.
Mark 13:11 is a verse that has a parallel in Luke 21:14-15; but no parallel in Matthew. In this verse, the Lord tells his disciples and believers that they need not worry about what to say when they are arrested. The Lord assures them to just say what is given to them in that hour for it is the Holy Spirit who is speaking for them.
Mark 13:12 adds to the picture of deep trouble as brother betrays brother; father against child and children against their parents; all to death! One may question if these are worse phenomena than nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom. This level of detail is absent in Matthew’s Gospel but has its parallel in Luke 21:16.
The next verse ending the section, Mark 13:13, parallels and combines what is found in Matthew 24:9 and 24:13. Mark 13:13 says that the disciples will be hated because of the Lord’s name but the one who endures to the end will be saved. The Greek words in Mark for “hate”, “endure”, “end” and “saved” are the same ones used in Matthew.
Luke 21:12-19 is also another parallel to Matthew 24:9-14. Luke 21:12 starts off by saying that “before all these things” which probably points to the preceding statement about terrors and great signs from heaven. Or this may include the entire content of verses 10 and 11 about nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom, great earthquakes, and plagues and famines. Verse 12 then says that the disciples and believers will be held and persecuted, brought over to the synagogues and prisons, before kings and governors for the sake of the Lord’s name. This clearly parallels Matthew 24:9.
Luke 21:13 takes the perspective that these troubles lead to opportunity for witnessing. And like Mark 13:11, the Lord tells them in Luke 21:14-15 not to prepare for their defense beforehand because the Lord himself will give them “eloquence of speech” and wisdom such that their opponents will not be able to oppose or dispute. As in Mark, these verses have no direct parallel in Matthew.
Luke 21:16-19 closes out this section. Verse 16 speaks about disciples and believers being betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives and friends and some being put to death. This parallels Mark 13:12. Luke 21:17 says that they will be hated by all because of the Lord’s name. This echoes Matthew 24:9 and Mark 13:13. Luke 21:18 assures the disciples and believers that figuratively, not a hair of their head will perish. And verse 19 cites endurance causing the gaining of their soul (ψυχή, “psuché” meaning soul/breath of life/life; https://biblehub.com/greek/5590.htm). This is Luke’s way of saying that those who persevere (to the end) are saved. Hence, Luke 21:18-19 parallels Matthew 24:13 and Mark 13:13.
For this section, the following themes are encountered: of witness and testimony for the Lord Jesus; being hated because of the Lord’s name; deep divisions even in families, friends and neighbors; betrayal, punishments, tribulation and even death; perseverance or endurance to the very end, even unto death for the Lord’s name and assured salvation; and the proclamation of the good news/gospel to all the nations before the end. All these themes found in the pericope of Matthew are also substantially found in Mark’s and Luke’s equivalent versions of this part of the Olivet Discourse.
We will continue next week.
God bless us all.