Matthew - 23:36



36 Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Matthew 23:36.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Amen I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation.
I tell you in solemn truth that all these things will come upon the present generation.
Amen I say to you, all these things shall fall upon this generation.
All this, I tell you, will come home to the present generation.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Upon this generation - The destruction of Jerusalem took place about forty years after this was spoken. See the next chapter.

Shall come upon this generation - Επι την γενεαν ταυτην, upon this race of men, viz. the Jews. This phrase often occurs in this sense in the evangelists.

Verily I say unto you,.... An usual form of introducing something of moment to raise attention to it, and to ascertain the truth of it:
all these things shall come upon this generation; all the things which Christ had foretold should come to pass in the present age; as that the apostles and ministers of the word he should send to them, some of them they would kill and crucify, and others they would scourge in their synagogues, or persecute from place to place; and all the horrible murders and bloodshed in any age, committed by that people, would be placed to the account of the men of that generation; and the guilt of them imputed to them, and the punishment due unto them be inflicted on them. And which came to pass, and had its full accomplishment about forty years after this, in the utter destruction of Jerusalem, and the whole nation; so that many now living were personally involved in that temporal ruin, as well as escaped not the damnation of hell, Matthew 23:33.

Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation--As it was only in the last generation of them that "the iniquity of the Amorites was full" (Genesis 15:16), and then the abominations of ages were at once completely and awfully avenged, so the iniquity of Israel was allowed to accumulate from age to age till in that generation it came to the full, and the whole collected vengeance of heaven broke at once over its devoted head. In the first French Revolution the same awful principle was exemplified, and Christendom has not done with it yet.
Lamentation over Jerusalem and Farewell to the Temple (Matthew 23:37-39).

Verily, I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. As the Amorites were spared until "their iniquity was full" (Genesis 15:16), so the iniquity of Israel was allowed to accumulate from age to age, till in that generation it came to the full, and the collected vengeance of justice broke at once upon it. So it is often in the destruction of a nation. The French Revolution of 1793 is another example.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


Discussion on Matthew 23:36

User discussion of the verse.






*By clicking Submit, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.