Matthew 24 22

Matthew 24:22 kjv

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Matthew 24:22 nkjv

And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

Matthew 24:22 niv

"If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

Matthew 24:22 esv

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 24:22 nlt

In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones.

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 22 Meaning

Matthew 24:22 declares that the coming period of "great tribulation" will be so intensely severe and destructive that, if left to run its full course, no human life would survive. However, as an act of divine mercy and intervention, God will supernaturally curtail this period of unprecedented suffering. This merciful shortening is not arbitrary but is specifically enacted for the sake of His chosen ones, the "elect," ensuring their physical and spiritual preservation amidst the catastrophic events.

Matthew 24 22 Context

Matthew 24:22 is a pivotal part of the "Olivet Discourse," Jesus' extended prophecy delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21). The discourse begins with the disciples' questions regarding the destruction of the temple and the signs of Jesus' coming and the end of the age (Matt 24:3). Jesus addresses both the immediate destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the far greater, culminating "great tribulation" leading up to His second coming.

Verse 22 specifically describes the unparalleled severity of this end-time "great tribulation," which He calls unique in history ("such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be" - Matt 24:21). The context shifts from the deception, wars, famines, and earthquakes mentioned in earlier verses, which are mere "birth pains," to an ultimate, cataclysmic period. This global scope and existential threat ("no flesh would be saved") clearly distinguish it from localized historical judgments, pointing towards an eschatological event transcending the 70 AD destruction, though the latter may have served as a partial foretaste. The verse therefore establishes divine intervention as the sole means of human survival amidst such universal chaos, underlining God's sovereignty over history and His specific care for His elect.

Matthew 24 22 Word analysis

• And unless (καὶ εἰ μή - kai ei mē): This Greek construction introduces a strong conditional clause, setting up a contrary-to-fact scenario. It emphasizes the absolute necessity of the stated action for survival. Without this divine shortening, the dire consequence (no survival) is guaranteed.
• those days (αἱ ἡμέραι ἐκεῖναι - hai hēmerai ekeinai): Refers directly back to the previously mentioned "great tribulation" in Matthew 24:21. It indicates a defined period, characterized by unparalleled suffering and distress, distinct from generalized trials.
• were shortened (ἐκολοβώθησαν - ekolobōthēsan): From the Greek verb koloboō. This term means "to cut short," "to mutilate," "to truncate," or "to lop off." It conveys a decisive and forceful intervention, rather than a natural fading away. The passive voice ("were shortened") implies divine agency – God is the one performing the action. It speaks of a merciful divine limitation on an otherwise unlimited destructive process.
• no flesh (πᾶσα σὰρξ - pasa sarx): Literally "all flesh," but in this context, when negated ("no flesh"), it means "not a single living being" or "no human being." This hyperbolic language emphasizes the extremity of the threat – complete and total annihilation of humanity. It echoes Old Testament references to the vulnerability of humankind (e.g., Ps 145:21) and periods of near-total destruction (e.g., Noah's flood).
• would be saved (ἐσώθη - esōthē): From the verb sōzō, meaning "to save," "to preserve," or "to deliver." In this specific context, it primarily refers to physical preservation from death and extinction. The verb is in the aorist passive indicative, implying that this physical saving is a completed act initiated by an outside force (God).
• but (ἀλλά - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast or turning point. It signals a shift from the inevitable disaster to God's assured, proactive intervention.
• for the elect's sake (διὰ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς - dia tous eklektous): "For the sake of" or "because of" God's "chosen ones." The Greek word eklektos (elect) signifies those chosen by God, set apart for His purposes and salvation. In the New Testament, this refers to all genuine believers in Christ, both Jewish and Gentile, chosen before the foundation of the world. Their existence and destiny are the specific, driving reason for God's merciful act. This underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant and His people.
• those days (αἱ ἡμέραι ἐκεῖναι - hai hēmerai ekeinai): A reiteration for emphasis, clearly stating that the very period of immense distress is what will be limited.
• will be shortened (κολοβοθήσονται - kolobothēsontai): The future passive indicative emphasizes the certainty of this divine act. It is a promise, a declaration of God's unshakeable resolve to intervene on behalf of His people, providing a foundational hope amidst the severe prophetic warning.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved": This phrase portrays the tribulation's ultimate destructiveness. It is so utterly devastating that without an extraordinary, supernatural intervention, all humanity would perish. This highlights the unprecedented and global nature of the coming judgment, signifying a scale of suffering and potential loss of life never before experienced.
• "but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened": This reveals the singular reason for God's intervention: His profound love and unwavering faithfulness to His chosen people. The survival of a remnant, not based on their own strength or efforts but purely on God's sovereign will and grace, is guaranteed. It underscores the protective power and intentional care of God for His church, ensuring that they are preserved through the tribulation, not necessarily removed from it entirely.

Matthew 24 22 Bonus section

• Predestination and Divine Sovereignty: This verse is a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty and His doctrine of election. The preservation of humanity is directly linked to God's chosen people, underscoring that His purposes, including salvation, will prevail regardless of the chaos in the world. Their existence guarantees human survival itself.
• Beyond Physical Preservation: While primarily speaking of physical preservation, the "shortening" also implicitly includes spiritual preservation. The intensity of deception (Matt 24:24) during the tribulation means that without divine intervention, even the elect might falter spiritually, if not physically consumed. God's shortening preserves them to remain faithful and endure.
• Divine Timing: The verb koloboō (shorten) emphasizes that the timing of this cessation is determined solely by God, based on His preordained plan and specific regard for the elect. It reinforces that the end will come at the appointed time, not when human wickedness has run its course or reached ultimate despair.
• Challenges to Preterism: The extreme nature of "no flesh would be saved" presents a significant challenge to purely preterist interpretations, which view the Olivet Discourse as exclusively or predominantly fulfilled in the events of AD 70. While AD 70 was a tribulation, it did not threaten the complete extinction of humanity globally, suggesting a future, distinct, and far more comprehensive fulfillment for Matthew 24:21-22.

Matthew 24 22 Commentary

Matthew 24:22 serves as a stark warning and a profound reassurance within Jesus' Olivet Discourse. The warning lies in the unparalleled severity of the coming "great tribulation," depicting a period of global cataclysm so intense it threatens total human extinction. This scale of destruction separates it from any historical event, including the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, presenting it as an ultimate eschatological ordeal. Without God's direct intervention, the end would be total desolation for all humanity.

The reassurance comes through God's merciful and sovereign act of "shortening" these days. This is not a reduction in chronological duration for its own sake, but a strategic curtailment of the destructive power and relentless pressure, preventing the complete annihilation of life. The crucial motivator for this divine grace is "for the elect's sake." The "elect" are God's chosen ones – believers in Jesus Christ. This verse highlights God's covenant faithfulness and His special love for His people. He actively orchestrates history, even amidst the most severe judgments, to preserve His church and fulfill His redemptive purposes. Thus, even in the direst future scenario, believers are reminded of God's unwavering control and their ultimate security in His hand. It teaches dependence on God's intervention, not human endurance.