What did Jesus mean when He said you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes?
Didn't the disciples go through Israel and evangelize? Jesus hasn't returned yet.
Matthew 10:23
ESV - 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
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Asked October 04 2013
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Evelyn Ayodele
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Andrew Osakue
I have never really imagined it this way. In fact this has been one of the scriptures that has always struck my imagination viewing it from the second coming of Jesus perspective. The Holy Spirit that was sent and received at Pentecost is indeed the Spirit of Jesus. The Spirit was indeed sent when the apostles were still gathered in Jerusalem and were yet to even start their missionary journey fulfilling the promise of Mt 10:23.
Elisabeth Woltman
DW, I have to admit I am rather confused by the last part of your answer.
It has always been my belief that one had to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior, the One who brings release from the Mosaic Law.
You have also stated that although Jesus has not come back by the time the apostles went "through all the towns of Israel" but at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was in fact "the Spirit of Jesus".
Please look at Matt 28:19 - the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity and not part of the Son.
John 14:16 Jesus gives the apostles the promise "...and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever".
I think Matt 10:23 may have more of the prophetic meaning.
If you consider Israel as the symbol of Christianity across the world and the persecution to be experienced by the followers of Christ then those spreading the Word might not be able to reach everybody.
I might be wrong but the above explanation seems logical to me.
Blessings
Andrew Osakue
There is no need for any confusion at all. The spirit of God and the spirit of Christ are the same and are used interchangeably in scripture. Rom 8:9 is a clear example of that. Phil 1:19- 30 is also another example? Furthermore, the God head are one despite the fact that they are three separate persons. Jn 10:30 ( I and my father are one) Therfore the Holy Spirit is part of Jesus much as Jesus is also part of the Holy Spirit. They are three but are also one. There is no doubt that those spreading the word will certainly reach the ends of the earth even soon if I may say and then Jesus again will come. Take note it is Jesus again that is coming. Jesus is all in all.