Jesus’ famous prophecy in Matthew 24 has sparked debate for centuries—was He warning about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, or was He talking about the end of the world? Scholars are divided. Some say the signs like wars and famines clearly pointed to AD 70, especially since Jesus said “this generation will not pass away” (Matthew 24:34). Others argue that language about the sun going dark and the Son of Man coming on the clouds must refer to the final judgment and second coming.
The most balanced view? Many experts believe Jesus was referring to both—the fall of Jerusalem as a near-term judgment, and His future return as a long-term promise. This dual fulfillment approach helps make sense of why some parts feel historical while others feel cosmic. Want to understand how it all fits together and why it matters today? Keep reading for a deeper dive.
When Jesus spoke about wars, earthquakes, tribulations, and the coming of the Son of Man, was He warning about something in the near future—like the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70—or about the distant future, like the end of the world?
This question isn’t just academic. How you interpret Jesus’ words in passages like Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 shapes your view of prophecy, history, and what to expect in the end times. Let’s unpack what scholars say, what Scripture teaches, and how to make sense of these important texts.
The Olivet Discourse: The Key Text
The debate centers around the Olivet Discourse—Jesus’ prophetic teaching found in:
- Matthew 24
- Mark 13
- Luke 21
Jesus gave this teaching after His disciples asked in Matthew 24:3:
“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
He then described:
- False messiahs
- Wars and rumors of wars
- Famines and earthquakes
- Persecution
- The abomination of desolation
- The coming of the Son of Man on the clouds
So, which part refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, and which part refers to the end of time?
View #1: It’s About AD 70
Many scholars believe that a large part of Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70, when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. This view is called the preterist interpretation (from the Latin “praeter,” meaning past).
Why Some Say It’s About AD 70:
- Immediate Context
- In Matthew 24:2, Jesus tells the disciples:
“Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
- This clearly refers to the physical destruction of the Temple, which happened in AD 70.
- “This Generation”
- In Matthew 24:34, Jesus says:
“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”
- Many scholars argue that “this generation” refers to the people alive at that time—meaning the events happened within 40 years.
- Historical Match
- Josephus, a Jewish historian, documented the horrors of Jerusalem’s fall:
- Over 1 million Jews died
- The Temple was burned and looted
- False prophets and messiahs were everywhere
- These align closely with Jesus’ warnings in Matthew 24:5-7.
- Josephus, a Jewish historian, documented the horrors of Jerusalem’s fall:
Supporting Scholars:
- R.C. Sproul (partial preterist): Believed Jesus spoke of both AD 70 and future events, but saw most of Matthew 24 as fulfilled.
- N.T. Wright: Argues the language of cosmic signs was symbolic and referred to God’s judgment on Jerusalem, not the literal end of the world.
View #2: It’s About the End of the World
Others argue Jesus was clearly speaking about the final judgment and His literal second coming. This is called the futurist view.
Why Some Say It’s About the End Times:
- Cosmic Language
- In Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus says:
“The sun will be darkened… the stars will fall… they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds…”
- That sounds like apocalyptic end-of-the-world imagery—not just a local event like the Roman siege.
- The Gathering of the Elect
- Verse 31 says angels will gather the elect from all over the earth. That points to a universal event, not something that happened in Jerusalem.
- The “Unknown Day and Hour”
- In Matthew 24:36, Jesus says:
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son…”
- That sounds more like the second coming, not a predictable siege 40 years later.
Supporting Scholars:
- John MacArthur: Emphasizes a literal return of Christ and sees Matthew 24:29–31 as describing the future.
- Craig Blomberg: Notes that while early verses might refer to AD 70, verses about the Son of Man’s return are clearly future.
View #3: A Double Fulfillment
A growing number of scholars see both in the text: Jesus was talking about two events, one near and one far.
How This View Works:
- Verses 1–28 refer to AD 70 and the destruction of Jerusalem.
- Verses 29–31 and beyond shift focus to the end of the age.
Think of it like two mountain peaks: the first is closer (AD 70), and the second (the end of time) is farther but visible from the same vantage point.
Why This Makes Sense:
- Jesus often blended timelines in prophecy, much like Old Testament prophets.
- For example, Isaiah 61:1–2 (which Jesus quotes in Luke 4) talks about both His first and second comings, though it’s one continuous sentence.
- So, prophetic telescoping is a common biblical pattern.
Summary: Breaking It Down
| Passage | Preterist View | Futurist View | Dual Fulfillment |
| Matthew 24:1–28 | AD 70 | Tribulation period | Primarily AD 70 |
| Matthew 24:29–31 | Symbolic judgment | Literal return of Christ | End of time |
| Matthew 24:34 (“this generation”) | Literal generation (AD 70) | “Generation” = type of people | Refers to near and far events |
So, What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re wondering whether Jesus was talking about a past event or the future, the answer might be: both.
- He warned His followers about real persecution and destruction coming soon (AD 70).
- He also gave signs to prepare us for His return, whenever it happens.
Jesus’ words are both historically grounded and eternally relevant.
Final Thoughts
Jesus wasn’t vague or mistaken—He was giving a layered prophecy. Whether you lean preterist, futurist, or somewhere in between, what’s clear is this:
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” — Matthew 24:44
Rather than debate timelines, Jesus wants you to stay alert, live faithfully, and trust His word. The future is in His hands—whether that’s about AD 70 or the end of time.
10 FAQs: Was Jesus Talking About AD 70 or the End of Time? Scholars Weigh In
1. What does “Was Jesus talking about AD 70 or the end of time?” mean?
It refers to Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24, where He describes future destruction and His coming. The question is whether He meant the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 or the end of the world at His second coming—or both.
2. What happened in AD 70 that might fulfill Jesus’ prophecy?
In AD 70, Roman forces destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. This included massive loss of life, famine, and chaos—events that many believe match Jesus’ warnings in Matthew 24:1–28.
3. What is the Olivet Discourse?
The Olivet Discourse is Jesus’ prophetic teaching found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. It includes predictions about persecution, destruction, and His eventual return.
4. Why do some scholars say Jesus was talking about AD 70?
They point to historical events that match His words and note that Jesus said, “this generation will not pass away” (Matthew 24:34), which would point to the people alive at that time.
5. Why do others believe Jesus was talking about the end times?
They highlight verses like Matthew 24:29–31, where Jesus describes cosmic signs and His coming on the clouds—imagery that sounds like the final judgment, not a local historical event.
6. Can both AD 70 and the end of time be in view?
Yes. Many scholars believe in a “dual fulfillment,” where Jesus described the fall of Jerusalem as a foreshadowing of the ultimate end of the age.
7. What does “this generation” mean in Matthew 24:34?
Some believe it means the people alive during Jesus’ time (supporting the AD 70 view), while others argue it refers to a future group alive during the final events.
8. How do the events of AD 70 match Jesus’ words?
According to historians like Josephus, AD 70 saw false prophets, famine, wars, and the complete destruction of the Temple—events Jesus described decades earlier.
9. What is the takeaway for Christians today?
Whether Jesus was referring to AD 70, the end times, or both, the key message is the same: stay watchful, faithful, and ready for His return (Matthew 24:42–44).
10. Why does this debate matter?
Understanding Jesus’ prophecy shapes how you read the Bible, view history, and anticipate the future. It also builds confidence in Scripture’s reliability and relevance.
