And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus emphasizes not just hearing about wars, but not being alarmed by them. The crucial insight is that these disturbances, while inevitable, are specifically signs intended to prevent disciples from panicking, signaling that the ultimate end hasn't arrived yet.
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is responding to his disciples' question about when the temple will be destroyed and when his coming and the end of the age will occur. He warns them about deception and then lists signs that will precede the end, beginning with wars and conflicts, emphasizing that these are not immediate indicators of the final end. This sets the stage for a discussion of increasing global turmoil and distress leading up to the ultimate consummation.
Jesus tells us wars and rumors of wars are coming. It sounds like a cause for panic, doesn't it? But His very next words are a command: 'See that you are not alarmed.'
Jesus is giving His disciples (and us!) a crucial piece of advice for navigating difficult times. He acknowledges that global unrest, conflict, and frightening news will be a reality. The world stage will be filled with wars, and even whispers of war will cause unease.
However, the key isn't to ignore these events, but to maintain a calm and steady heart. Jesus isn't saying these events aren't serious or impactful. Instead, He's framing them as signs that are part of the unfolding of God's plan, not necessarily the immediate end of everything. This perspective helps us avoid overreaction and unfounded panic when we hear about global crises.
Jesus calls these difficult events 'necessary,' but then adds a critical distinction: 'the end is not yet.' What does that really mean for us today?
Jesus is clear: the wars and rumors of wars are not random occurrences. He says, 'for all these things must come to pass.' This points to a divine sovereignty, even over chaos and conflict. These events are permitted and woven into the fabric of history leading up to His ultimate purposes.
But here's the vital clarification: 'the end is not yet.' This phrase acts as a vital thermostat, regulating our expectations. While these signs indicate significant shifts and foreshadow future events, they are not the final curtain call. They are precursors, stages in a larger divine timeline. This understanding helps us differentiate between the signs of the times and the ultimate consummation.
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Understand the original words
polemos · Greek Noun
Large-scale armed conflicts between organized groups or states, often representing divine judgment or the clash of human empires in biblical prophecy.
telos · Greek Noun
The final consummation of the age, the return of Christ, and the establishment of His kingdom. It refers to the completion of God's redemptive historical plan.
dei · Greek Verb
A divine or providential necessity; something that must occur because it is part of God's sovereign, revealed, or decreed plan for human history.
Jesus warns his disciples that the period leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age will be filled with unrest, but these events are not the final end. The historical context shows a turbulent era marked by Roman civil wars, imperial demands, and escalating tensions within Judea itself, all culminating in the devastating First Jewish-Roman War.
c. 48 BC
Roman Civil War
The Roman Republic was embroiled in civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great, creating widespread unrest and rumors of conflict that would have reached Judea.
c. AD 37-41
Caligula's Statue Incident
Emperor Caligula demanded his statue be placed in the Jerusalem Temple, causing immense consternation and the threat of war, which was averted by his assassination.
c. AD 44-48
Famine in Judea
A severe famine struck Judea during the reign of Claudius, causing widespread suffering and potentially contributing to unrest.
c. AD 50-66
Jewish-Roman Tensions Rise
The years leading up to the First Jewish-Roman War were marked by increasing tensions, riots, and skirmishes between Jewish factions and Roman authorities.
c. AD 64-68
Nero's Reign and Great Fire of Rome
Emperor Nero's volatile reign, including the Great Fire of Rome and subsequent persecution of Christians, created an atmosphere of chaos and instability throughout the empire.
AD 66-70— this verse
First Jewish-Roman War
The Jewish revolt against Roman rule erupted, leading to widespread conflict, sieges, and ultimately the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple.
This passage echoes Jesus' warning about wars and unrest, adding the phrase 'commotions' and emphasizing that these are signs that should not cause immediate panic, as they precede the final end.
Jeremiah 29:7This verse provides a similar directive for God's people during times of exile and turmoil, urging them to seek the peace of the city they are in and pray for it, even amidst unsettling news of conflict.
Romans 13:11-12This passage connects the present time with an expectation of salvation and the 'end of the age,' framing present disturbances as part of a process that leads toward ultimate redemption, much like Matthew 24:6 suggests these events are not the final end.
2 Timothy 3:1-5This text describes a similar atmosphere of turmoil and dangerous times in the last days, characterized by difficult and chaotic circumstances that require believers to be discerning and steadfast.
barnesMatthew 24:6: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."
And ye shall hear of wars ... - It is recorded in the history of Rome that violent agitations prevailed in the Roman empire previous to the destruction of Jerusalem. Four emperors, Nero, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, suffered violent deaths in the short space of eighteen months. In consequence of these changes in the government, there were com…
bensonMatthew 24:6: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."
Matthew 24:6-8 . And ye shall hear of wars, &c. — This is the second sign. That there were wars and rumours of wars, appears by all the historians of those times, and above all by Josephus. To relate the particulars would be to transcribe a great part of his history of the Jewish wars. There were more especially rumours of wars when Caligula…
Jesus emphasizes not just hearing about wars, but not being alarmed by them. The crucial insight is that these disturbances, while inevitable, are specifically signs intended to prevent disciples from panicking, signaling that the ultimate end hasn't arrived yet.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' question about when the temple will be destroyed and when his coming and the end of the age will occur. He warns them about deception and then lists signs that will precede the end, beginning with wars and conflicts, emphasizing that these are not immediate indicators of the final end. This sets the stage for a discussion of increasing global turmoil and distress leading up to the ultimate consummation.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' question about when the temple will be destroyed and when his coming and the end of the age will occur. He warns them about deception and then lists signs that will precede the end, beginning with wars and conflicts, emphasizing that these are not immediate indicators of the final end. This sets the stage for a discussion of increasing global turmoil and distress leading up to the ultimate consummation.
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet." — Jesus emphasizes not just hearing about wars, but not being alarmed by them. The crucial insight is that these disturbances, while inevitable, are specifically signs intended to prevent disciples…
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Last reviewed October 2026