9"Then they will hand you over to intense pressure and persecution, and they will kill you, and you will be hated by all the peoples on account of my name. [24:10] And then many will stumble and fall into the snare — they will hand one another over and hate one another. [24:11] And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. [24:12] And because lawlessness will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. [24:13] But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [24:14] And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole inhabited world as a testimony to all the ethnic peoples — and then the end will come."
MAT 24:9-14
Witnessing to All Nations
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Roman Empire, the proclamation of a new 'gospel of the kingdom' would have been deeply subversive. The term 'gospel' was commonly used to announce imperial victories or decrees, so claiming a 'gospel of the kingdom' challenged Caesar's authority. The 'inhabited world' referred to the Roman Empire, suggesting this message would spread within its borders. The mention of 'tribulation' evoked the crushing pressure of persecution, a reality for early Christians under Roman and Jewish authorities. The 'nations' specifically denoted Gentiles, highlighting the universal scope of this mission, which would have been radical for a Jewish audience accustomed to ethnic exclusivity. The warning about 'falling away' reflects the cultural expectation of loyalty to one's group; betrayal would have been a severe breach of honor. The rise of 'false prophets' mirrors the proliferation of religious and philosophical movements in the empire, making discernment critical. Endurance to the end was a Stoic ideal, but here it is tied to salvation, a distinctly Christian hope.
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How other translations render this
MAT 24:9
- KJV
- Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
- BSB
- Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
- Koinōnos
- Then they will hand you over to intense pressure and persecution, and they will kill you, and you will be hated by all the peoples on account of my name.
MAT 24:10
- KJV
- And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
- BSB
- At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,
- Koinōnos
- And then many will stumble and fall into the snare — they will hand one another over and hate one another.
MAT 24:11
- KJV
- And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
- BSB
- and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.
- Koinōnos
- And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
MAT 24:12
- KJV
- And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
- BSB
- Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.
- Koinōnos
- And because lawlessness will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.
MAT 24:13
- KJV
- But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
- BSB
- But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
- Koinōnos
- But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
MAT 24:14
- KJV
- And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
- BSB
- And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
- Koinōnos
- And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole inhabited world as a testimony to all the ethnic peoples — and then the end will come.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 24:9
- tribulation:The word translated 'tribulation' here literally means intense pressure or crushing. It describes a severe external force that compresses or constrains, rather than just general trouble.
- nations:The term translated 'nations' often refers to ethnic groups or peoples, particularly non-Jewish peoples, rather than modern political states or countries.
MAT 24:10
- will fall away:The phrase 'will fall away' comes from a word that means to cause someone to stumble or to be trapped, like a snare. It implies being led into sin or apostasy, not just a casual departure.
MAT 24:14
- earth:The word translated 'earth' specifically refers to the inhabited world, or the known world at the time, rather than the entire planet or dry land in general.