Matthew 24:6
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)
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Jesus emphasizes that hearing about wars and rumors of wars is a sign, not the ultimate end, urging his followers not to be alarmed because these events are necessary precursors to what is to come. The "end is not yet" is crucial, highlighting that these disturbances are just the beginning of sorrows and not the final culmination.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' awestruck questions about the magnificent temple and the timing of his coming and the end of the age. He immediately shifts their focus from the grandeur of the temple to its impending destruction, then lays out a series of signs and disturbances that will precede the end, urging them not to be alarmed. These early signs, including wars, are presented not as immediate indicators of the end, but as necessary precursors to greater events.
Jesus tells his followers they'll hear about wars and rumors of wars. How can they possibly remain calm amidst such chaos?
Jesus knew his followers would face immense upheaval. He specifically warned them about hearing news of wars and conflicts. The key instruction isn't to ignore these events, but to not be alarmed. This isn't about emotional suppression; it's about a deep-seated trust in God's sovereignty. Even when the world seems to be falling apart, true peace comes from recognizing that these events, however terrible, are part of a larger divine plan. The disciples were meant to understand that these signs would precede a greater crisis (the destruction of Jerusalem), but not the ultimate end. This perspective shifts their focus from immediate panic to a watchful, faithful endurance.
Wars and rumors of wars are mentioned as signs. What distinguishes these 'beginning sorrows' from the final end?
Jesus is clear: 'all these things must take place, but the end is not yet.' This distinction is crucial. The wars and commotions were signs pointing towards the impending judgment on Jerusalem and the end of the Old Covenant era. They were 'the beginning of sorrows,' as verse 8 states. The ancient commentators highlight how these events, while devastating, served as precursors to greater judgment and a necessary prelude to the unfolding of God's kingdom. For Jesus' followers, understanding this difference was vital. It meant these disturbing events were not immediate signals of Christ's final return, but rather indicators that a significant era was concluding and that vigilance was required. The 'end' Jesus refers to is not the absolute end of the world at that moment, but the end of the Jewish age and temple system.
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' words here speak directly to the tumultuous period leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem. The 'wars and rumors of wars' weren't just distant threats but immediate anxieties, particularly the crisis over Caligula's statue, which served as a stark warning of the instability that would plague Judea for decades.
c. AD 37-41— this verse
Caligula's Statue Incident
Emperor Caligula ordered his statue to be placed in the Jerusalem Temple, causing immense fear and consternation among Jews who feared a war with Rome. This crisis was averted by Caligula's assassination.
c. AD 44-48
Famine in Judea
A severe famine struck Judea during the reign of Emperor Claudius, as foretold by the prophet Agabus. This period also saw unrest and violence between Jewish and Gentile populations.
c. AD 50-60
Jewish-Roman Tensions Rise
Years of increasing friction between Jewish people and Roman authorities, as well as internal strife among Jewish factions, created an atmosphere of instability and frequent 'rumors of wars.'
c. AD 60-66
Escalating Civil Strife
Internal conflicts and uprisings intensified within Judea, with Jewish groups clashing violently with each other and with Roman forces, setting the stage for open rebellion.
This passage echoes Jesus' warning about wars and commotions, adding the crucial instruction to avoid being terrified, reinforcing the message of Matthew 24:6.
Jeremiah 6:14This Old Testament prophecy speaks of a false peace and security ('Peace, peace, when there is no peace') that will be shattered by impending disaster, paralleling the 'rumors of wars' that shouldn't cause undue alarm but signal greater events.
2 Timothy 3:1-5This passage describes difficult times and the character of people in the 'last days,' which includes societal unrest and conflict, aligning with the context of upheaval Jesus predicts before the end.
Revelation 6:3-4The opening of the second seal in Revelation unleashes a rider on a red horse to 'take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another,' directly illustrating the 'wars and rumors of wars' Jesus foretold as precursors to the end.
Romans 8:18Paul's teaching that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come offers a profound theological lens through which believers can endure the 'wars and rumors of wars' Jesus mentions, understanding them as temporary.
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 that hearing about wars and rumors of wars is a sign, not the ultimate end, urging his followers not to be alarmed because these events are necessary precursors to what is to come. The "end is not yet" is crucial, highlighting that these disturbances are just the beginning of sorrows and not the final culmination.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' awestruck questions about the magnificent temple and the timing of his coming and the end of the age. He immediately shifts their focus from the grandeur of the temple to its impending destruction, then lays out a series of signs and disturbances that will precede the end, urging them not to be alarmed. These early signs, including wars, are presented not as immediate indicators of the end, but as necessary precursors to greater events.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' awestruck questions about the magnificent temple and the timing of his coming and the end of the age. He immediately shifts their focus from the grandeur of the temple to its impending destruction, then lays out a series of signs and disturbances that will precede the end, urging them not to be alarmed. These early signs, including wars, are presented not as immediate indicators of the end, but as necessary precursors to greater events.
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AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War
The Great Revolt against Rome began, characterized by widespread warfare, battles, and destruction throughout Judea, culminating in the siege and destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple.
AD 68-69
Year of the Four Emperors
The Roman Empire experienced extreme instability with four emperors rapidly succeeding each other, leading to widespread civil war and unrest throughout the Roman world, impacting regions connected to Judea.
"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 that hearing about wars and rumors of wars is a sign, not the ultimate end, urging his followers not to be alarmed because these events are necessary precursors to what is to come. T…
