Matthew 24

Jesus

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. Matthew 24:1–2

As Jesus leaves the temple for the last time, He prophesies its total destruction, fulfilled when Rome destroyed it in AD 70.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 13:1-2 — Mark's account of the prophecy against the temple.
• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:2-3 — The inspired revision of the same prophecy.

Second Coming

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? Matthew 24:3

On the Mount of Olives the disciples ask about "thy coming," and Jesus' answer that follows is the great New Testament sermon on His Second Coming.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:4 — "What is the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"
• the same event in Acts 1:11 — From the Mount of Olives the angels promise He will come again as He went.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. Matthew 24:4–5

Jesus warns that counterfeits will claim to be Christ. Knowing the true Christ well is the protection against being deceived.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:5-6 — The same warning in the inspired revision.

Doctrine of Christ

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Matthew 24:9–14

Jesus warns that His followers will be hated because they carry His name, promises salvation to those who endure to the end, and foretells His gospel going to every nation before the end.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:7-11 — Includes "he that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved."
• a parallel account in Mark 13:9-13 — Mark's account of the persecutions and enduring to the end.

Christ

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. Matthew 24:23–26

Jesus warns that false Christs will perform signs and claim He is hidden in the desert or in secret rooms. His real coming will not be secret.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:21-22 — The warning against false Christs in the inspired revision.
• a parallel account in Mark 13:21-23 — Mark's account of false Christs.

Second Coming

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:27–28

The Son of Man's coming will be as unmistakable as lightning across the whole sky. No one will need to be told where He is.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Luke 17:24 — "As the lightning ... so shall also the Son of man be in his day."
• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:26-27 — The inspired revision: "as the light of the morning cometh out of the east."

Second Coming

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: Matthew 24:29–31

After the signs in the sun, moon and stars, all people will see Jesus come in the clouds with power and great glory, and His angels will gather His faithful from every part of the earth.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Daniel 7:13-14 — One like the Son of man comes with the clouds of heaven and receives dominion.
• alludes to Isaiah 13:10 — The sun darkened and the moon not causing her light to shine.
• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:33-37 — The inspired revision of the coming in the clouds and the gathering of the elect.
• the same event in D&C 45:44 — "They shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory."
• the same event in Revelation 1:7 — "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him."
• the same event in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 — The Lord descends from heaven with the trump of God.

Jesus

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: Matthew 24:32–35

After the parable of the fig tree, Jesus says His words will outlast heaven and earth, the kind of permanence the prophets gave only to the word of God. He is claiming divine authority for what He teaches.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 40:8 — "The word of our God shall stand for ever."
• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:35 — "Heaven and earth shall pass away, yet my words shall not pass away."
• alluded to by D&C 1:38 — The Lord: though the heavens and the earth pass away, "my word shall not pass away."

Son of God

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36

Jesus speaks of "my Father" and says only the Father knows the exact day of the Second Coming. The Son humbly defers to His Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 13:32 — Mark adds "neither the Son, but the Father."
• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:40 — "No one knoweth; no, not the angels of God in heaven, but my Father only."
• alluded to by D&C 49:7 — The hour and the day no man knows, nor the angels, until He comes.

Second Coming

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:37–39

Jesus compares His coming to the Flood: people will be busy with ordinary life and ignore the warnings until it is too late. Those who, like Noah, are prepared will be safe.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Genesis 7:7 — Noah goes into the ark because of the waters of the flood.
• a parallel account in Luke 17:26-27 — "As it was in the days of Noe."
• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:41-43 — The days of Noah in the inspired revision.

Second Coming

Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Matthew 24:40–44

One will be taken and another left, so Jesus tells His disciples to watch and be ready. The Lord will come like a thief, when people least expect Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Luke 17:34-36 — One taken and the other left.
• the same event in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 — "The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."
• alluded to by D&C 106:4-5 — The coming of the Lord overtakes the world as a thief in the night.
• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:44-48 — The call to watch in the inspired revision.

Second Coming

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Matthew 24:45–51

In this parable the returning lord is Christ. The servant who faithfully cares for the household is blessed at His coming, while the servant who says "my lord delayeth his coming" and mistreats others is caught unprepared.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Luke 12:42-46 — Luke's parable of the faithful and wise steward.
• alluded to by D&C 78:22 — "He who is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things."
• a parallel account in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:49-54 — The faithful and evil servants in the inspired revision.