Part 11 – This Generation Shall Not Pass

Matthew 24:32-35 — In the first part of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus gives an outline of future events culminating in His Second Coming. He then makes application to His disciples and to us. He talks about how we ought to live in light of what He’s just set out. 

Jesus begins this new section with the Parable of the Fig Tree and then He makes a statement that has divided Bible scholars for many years. He said, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” 

What generation was He referring to? Would “all these things” be fulfilled within the lifetimes of the disciples? If so, that means the events described in the first part of the Discourse are, from our vantage point, historical. They have to do with the destruction of the Temple in 70AD and nothing more.

So what are we to make of this very important statement? How does it fit with the interpretation that sees the Discourse as primarily describing a time yet future?