Matthew 24 14

Matthew 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.

Matthew 24:14 nkjv

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14 niv

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14 esv

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14 nlt

And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 14 Meaning

Matthew 24:14 reveals a profound divine timetable and purpose: that the "good news" concerning God's active, reigning authority, embodied in Jesus Christ, must be publicly and authoritatively announced across the entire inhabited earth. This global proclamation serves as a decisive witness to every ethnic group and nation. Only when this essential missionary mandate is sufficiently fulfilled will the age culminate, leading to the ultimate return of Christ and the final establishment of His kingdom.

Matthew 24 14 Context

Matthew 24:14 is situated within Jesus's Olivet Discourse (Mt 24-25), a key prophetic teaching delivered to His disciples. The disciples had inquired about the time of the Temple's destruction and the sign of Jesus' coming and the "end of the age" (v. 3). Jesus's response weaves together prophecies concerning the immediate future (like Jerusalem's destruction in AD 70) and distant eschatological events leading to His Second Coming.

Before verse 14, Jesus describes general signs, which include false Christs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and widespread persecution of believers (vv. 4-10). He warns of a time of intense tribulation where love will grow cold and apostasy will increase (vv. 11-13). Within this context of global turmoil and spiritual decline, verse 14 presents a distinct, divinely-driven prerequisite for the final "end": the universal proclamation of the "gospel of the kingdom." It sets a clear, global evangelistic condition that must precede the culmination of the age.

The term "world" (οἰκουμένῃ, oikoumenē) historically referred to the Roman Empire. However, in prophetic contexts, especially when paired with "all nations" (πᾶσιν ἔθνεσιν, pasin ethnesin), it extends to the entire populated globe, reflecting a truly universal mission for the church.

Matthew 24 14 Word Analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A connecting conjunction, linking this statement directly to the preceding events and signs discussed, indicating it's a critical next step in the sequence.
• this (τοῦτο - touto): Points to the specific message and mission about to be described, emphasizing its particularity.
• gospel (εὐαγγέλιον - euangelion): Meaning "good news" or "glad tidings." In the Christian context, it refers to the salvific message about Jesus Christ, His life, sacrificial death, resurrection, and the coming reign of God through Him. It represents the very core of God's redemptive plan.
• of the kingdom (τῆς βασιλείας - tēs basileias): Qualifies "gospel," specifying its content. It's the good news that God's sovereign rule is breaking into human history through Christ. It encompasses not only personal salvation but the comprehensive reign of God over all creation, now inaugurated and ultimately to be fully consummated. It emphasizes the King and His divine authority.
• will be proclaimed (κηρυχθήσεται - kērychthēsetai): A future passive indicative verb (from κηρύσσω, kēryssō), meaning "will be heralded," "will be preached publicly with authority." The passive voice indicates divine initiative and certainty that this proclamation will occur, even as believers are the instruments. It suggests an authoritative, public declaration by a herald.
• throughout the whole (ἐν ὅλῃ - en holē): Emphasizes completeness and universality, not merely in parts or regions, but globally and comprehensively.
• world (τῇ οἰκουμένῃ - tē oikoumenē): Derived from oikos (house) and menō (to dwell), it signifies the "inhabited earth." While sometimes referring to the Roman world in a more limited sense, within this eschatological context, paired with "all nations," it denotes the entire planet and its inhabitants.
• as a testimony (εἰς μαρτύριον - eis martyrion): Meaning "for a witness," "as evidence," or "to bear witness." The global proclamation serves as God's universal witness to humanity. It offers opportunity for salvation for those who believe, but it also establishes a righteous basis for judgment, as no one will be able to claim ignorance of the divine offer. It underscores God's justice and patience.
• to all nations (πᾶσιν ἔθνεσιν - pasin ethnesin): Literally "to all Gentiles" or "to all peoples/ethnicities." This phrase unequivocally expands the scope beyond Israel to include every distinct people group and tribe on earth, affirming a universal missionary imperative.
• and then (καὶ τότε - kai tote): A critical temporal connector, indicating sequence. This phrase strongly implies that the universal proclamation of the gospel is a necessary precondition, a divinely appointed signal, before "the end" can occur. It signifies a decisive point in God's prophetic timetable.
• the end (τὸ τέλος - to telos): Refers to the "consummation," "completion," or "goal." In this context, it signifies the culmination of the present age, particularly the full manifestation of Christ's Parousia (coming), the final judgment, and the full establishment of God's eternal kingdom, as understood in the disciples' original question (v. 3).

Words-group Analysis

• "this gospel of the kingdom": Distinctively defines the content of the message as being centered on God's active reign and Christ's kingship, distinguishing it from general good news or solely individualistic salvation without cosmic implications.
• "will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony": This group highlights the non-negotiable, comprehensive, public, and divinely ordained global spread of the message. It's not optional, it's global in scope, authoritative in nature, and functions as God's final warning and invitation.
• "to all nations": Underscores the universality and specificity of the evangelistic target, affirming that the message must reach every ethnic group on earth, signifying God's redemptive plan for all humanity.
• "and then the end will come": Establishes the temporal and theological connection between universal gospel proclamation and the culmination of history. It portrays global evangelism as a direct precursor, a divine signal that marks the concluding phase of the current age, prior to Christ's ultimate return.

Matthew 24 14 Bonus Section

• Divine Passive: The Greek kērychthēsetai ("will be proclaimed") is passive. While it necessitates human agents (believers) to carry it out, the passive voice implies a divine force and certainty ensuring that this global proclamation will be accomplished according to God's will. It highlights that this is ultimately God's work, not solely human effort.
• Not a Timetable but a Trigger: The verse doesn't give a specific timeline for the "end," but it does specify a critical trigger. The focus is on the completion of the worldwide testimony to all nations. This encourages persistence and diligence in missionary efforts until the task is complete, aligning human effort with God's ultimate purposes.
• Hope Amidst Tribulation: Placed amidst prophecies of severe trials and deceptions, verse 14 offers a profound source of hope and purpose for believers. Despite tribulation, the ultimate success of the Gospel is guaranteed by divine decree, culminating in the very return of Christ. This underscores that Christian mission is central to God's plan for the close of the age.

Matthew 24 14 Commentary

Matthew 24:14 is a cornerstone verse, anchoring the eschatological discussion in a foundational missionary imperative. Jesus provides a clear sign of the approaching "end": the global evangelization of all people groups. The "gospel of the kingdom" is not merely about individual salvation, but the good news of God's active, redemptive rule breaking into history through Jesus Christ, who is both Savior and King. This comprehensive message is to be universally "proclaimed," a public, authoritative declaration by Christ's followers under divine empowerment.

The purpose of this widespread proclamation is two-fold: it serves "as a testimony." First, it is a witness of God's grace and salvation, offering all humanity the opportunity to believe and enter His kingdom. Second, it is a testimony that will justly stand against all who reject the divine invitation, as no one will be able to claim ignorance when Christ returns. This establishes a criterion for the completion of the present age. It suggests a patient God, extending every opportunity for repentance and belief. Only when this divinely orchestrated and globally comprehensive witness has occurred will "the end" – the culminating events of Christ's return and final judgment – truly arrive. Thus, missionary activity is not merely an optional church program but an essential element of God's unfolding prophetic timetable and an indicator of His justice and patience before judgment.