Matthew 24:26-51

The Abomination of Desolation

26 So, if they say to you, 'Look, k he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 l For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be m the coming of the Son of Man. 28 n Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

The Coming of the Son of Man

29 "Immediately after o the tribulation of those days p the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and q the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then r will appear in heaven s the sign of the Son of Man, and then t all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and u they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven v with power and great glory. 31 And w he will send out his angels with a loud x trumpet call, and they will y gather z his elect from a the four winds, b from one end of heaven to the other.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

32 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, c at the very gates. 34 d Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 e Heaven and earth will pass away, but f my words will not pass away.

No One Knows That Day and Hour

36 "But concerning that day and hour g no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, h nor the Son, 1 i but the Father only. 37 j For as were the days of Noah, k so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 j For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, l marrying and giving in marriage, until m the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, k so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 n Two women will be grinding o at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, p stay awake, for you do not know on what day q your Lord is coming. 43 r But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night s the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be t ready, for u the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

45 "Who then is v the faithful and w wise servant, 2 whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 x Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, y he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master z is delayed,' 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants 3 and eats and drinks with a drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come b on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place c there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 21:38
    Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?
  2. Cross References
    Luke 17:24
    For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 24:3
    As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?
    Matthew 24:37
    For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
    Matthew 24:39
    And they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
  4. Cross References
    Luke 17:37
    And they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
    Job 39:30
    His young ones suck up blood, and where the slain are, there is he.
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 24:21
    For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.
  6. Cross References
    Isaiah 13:10
    For the stars of the heavens and their constell...
    Isaiah 24:23
    Then the moon will be confounded and the sun as...
    Ezekiel 32:7
    When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens a...
    Joel 2:10
    The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremb...
    Joel 2:31
    The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the mo...
    Joel 3:15
    The sun and the moon are darkened, and the star...
    Acts 2:20
    The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moo...
    Amos 5:20
    Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not li...
    Amos 8:9
    And on that day," declares the Lord God, "I wil...
    Zephaniah 1:15
    A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress a...
    Revelation 6:12
    When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and be...
    Revelation 8:12
    The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third ...
  7. Cross References
    Revelation 6:13
    And the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.
    Isaiah 14:12
    How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!
    Isaiah 34:4
    All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree.
  8. Cross References
    Daniel 7:13
    I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 24:3
    As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?
  10. Cross References
    Revelation 1:7
    Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
    Zechariah 12:12
    The land shall mourn, each family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves.
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 16:27
    For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
  12. Cross References
    Matthew 26:64
    Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.
    Mark 9:1
    And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.
    Matthew 25:31
    When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 13:41
    The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers.
  14. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:52
    In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
    1 Thessalonians 4:16
    For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 23:37
    O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!
    2 Thessalonians 2:1
    Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers.
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 24:22
    And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
    Matthew 24:24
    For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
  17. Cross References
    Daniel 7:2
    Daniel declared, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.
    Zechariah 2:6
    Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the Lord. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, declares the Lord.
    Revelation 7:1
    After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree.
  18. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:32
    For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of.
    Deuteronomy 30:4
    If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you.
  19. Cross References
    James 5:9
    Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
    Revelation 3:20
    Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
  20. Cross References
    Matthew 16:28
    Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.
  21. Cross References
    Psalms 102:26
    They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away.
    Isaiah 51:6
    Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
    2 Peter 3:10
    But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
    Matthew 5:18
    For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
    Hebrews 12:27
    This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken - that is, things that have been made - in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
  22. Cross References
    Psalms 119:89
    Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
    Isaiah 40:8
    The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
    1 Peter 1:23
    Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.
    1 Peter 1:25
    But the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
  23. Cross References
    Matthew 25:13
    Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
    1 Thessalonians 5:1 - 2
    Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
  24. Cross References
    Philippians 2:6 - 7
    Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.
  25. Cross References
    Zechariah 14:7
    And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light.
    Acts 1:7
    He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
  26. Cross References
    Luke 17:26 - 27
    Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.
  27. Cross References
    Matthew 24:27
    For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
  28. Cross References
    Matthew 24:37
    For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
  29. Cross References
    Matthew 22:30
    For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
  30. Cross References
    Genesis 7:7 - 16
    And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood.
  31. Cross References
    Matthew 24:37
    For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
  32. Cross References
    Luke 17:35
    There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.
  33. Cross References
    Exodus 11:5
    And every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle.
    Isaiah 47:2
    Take the millstones and grind flour, put off your veil, strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers.
  34. Cross References
    Mark 14:34 - 38
    And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.
    Luke 12:37
    Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.
    Luke 21:36
    But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.
    Acts 20:31
    Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.
    1 Thessalonians 5:6
    So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
  35. Cross References
    John 13:13
    You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
  36. Cross References
    Matthew 24:43 - 51
    But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
    Luke 12:39 - 46
    But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
  37. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:2
    For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
    2 Peter 3:10
    But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
    Revelation 3:3
    Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
  38. Cross References
    Matthew 25:10
    And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
  39. Cross References
    Matthew 24:27
    For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
  40. Cross References
    Matthew 25:21
    His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.
    1 Corinthians 4:2
    Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
    Hebrews 3:5
    Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later.
  41. Cross References
    Matthew 7:24
    Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
    Matthew 10:16
    Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
    Matthew 25:2
    Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
  42. Cross References
    John 13:17
    If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
    Revelation 16:15
    ("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!")
  43. Cross References
    Matthew 25:21
    His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.
    Matthew 25:23
    His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.
  44. Cross References
    Matthew 25:5
    As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
  45. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:7
    For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
  46. Cross References
    2 Peter 3:12
    Waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
    Matthew 25:13
    Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
  47. Cross References
    Matthew 8:12
    While the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.