Matthew 24 6

Matthew 24:6 kjv

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Matthew 24:6 nkjv

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Matthew 24:6 niv

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Matthew 24:6 esv

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

Matthew 24:6 nlt

And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately.

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 6 Meaning

Matthew 24:6, part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, instructs His disciples regarding events preceding His return and the end of the age. It teaches that they will hear constant news of actual wars and anticipated conflicts, indicating widespread global instability. However, believers are strongly commanded not to be frightened or mentally distressed by these events. This is because such disturbances are not the definitive end itself, but divinely predetermined occurrences that must transpire as part of God’s unfolding plan. These conflicts serve as preliminary indicators, a stage that must be traversed, prior to the ultimate culmination of the age.

Matthew 24 6 Context

Matthew chapter 24 is known as the Olivet Discourse, a pivotal prophecy delivered by Jesus on the Mount of Olives. His disciples had just marveled at the beauty of the Temple, prompting Jesus to declare that not one stone would be left upon another (Matt 24:1-2). This astonishing statement led them to ask three crucial questions privately: "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matt 24:3). Jesus' subsequent discourse responds to these questions by outlining a series of escalating events that would occur between His ascension and His final return. Verse 6 specifically addresses one of the initial signs – the prevalence of wars and their rumors – and provides the vital instruction on how His followers are to react, setting the tone for understanding other pre-consummation events. This immediate context establishes Matt 24:6 not as a singular isolated prophecy, but as part of a larger, carefully structured prophetic sequence designed to guide His disciples' understanding and response to the unfolding of time. The disciples' questions reflected contemporary Jewish apocalyptic expectations, and Jesus' reply differentiates between preliminary signs and the ultimate arrival of the End.

Matthew 24 6 Word analysis

• "You will hear" (Greek: akouete - ἀκούετε): This is in the present tense in the original Greek, often translated into English with a future sense in this context. It signifies a continuous or ongoing experience for the disciples: they will be hearing, indicating that reports of conflict will be a persistent and prevalent reality in the period leading up to the end. It's not a singular event but a sustained condition.
• "wars" (Greek: polemous - πολέμους): Plural form, indicating multiple and widespread armed conflicts. These are actual military engagements between nations or groups, signifying a persistent state of global unrest.
• "and rumors of wars" (Greek: kai akoas polemōn - καὶ ἀκοὰς πολέμων): Akoas means reports, tidings, or news. This signifies not only direct conflict but also the unsettling reports, threats, and anticipation of wars. It speaks to the psychological dimension of global instability, where anxiety and fear are stirred by what is heard, even if it hasn't directly impacted one's immediate surroundings. It highlights the pervasive nature of war as a subject of discussion and apprehension.
• "but see to it that you are not alarmed" (Greek: horate mē throeisthe - ὁρᾶτε μὴ θροεῖσθε):
  • "see to it" (horate): This is a strong imperative, an emphatic command. It implies taking heed, paying careful attention, and intentionally ensuring a certain outcome. It stresses the responsibility of the believer in managing their internal response.
  • "not alarmed" (mē throeisthe): Throeisthe comes from throeō, which means to be troubled, agitated, terrified, confused, or put into consternation. It speaks to a deep internal disturbance, a panic that destabilizes the mind and spirit. The imperative negative ("do not be alarmed") directly counters the natural human inclination towards fear and panic in the face of chaos, highlighting the distinct inner posture expected of Christ's followers. It warns against a reactive fear that causes spiritual and emotional paralysis.
• "Such things must happen" (Greek: dei gar genesthai - δεῖ γὰρ γενέσθαι):
  • "must happen" (dei genesthai): Dei signifies divine necessity, obligation, or an unavoidable fate ordained by God's plan. It indicates that these events are not random or accidental, but part of a sovereignly purposed design, serving God's larger redemptive scheme. This removes the sense of randomness and introduces the concept of God's overarching control, even amidst chaos.
  • "gar" (γάρ): This conjunction means "for" or "because," explaining the reason why they should not be alarmed. It is precisely because these things must happen that they are part of a divine timetable, not signs of premature judgment or ultimate chaos apart from God's plan.
• "but the end is still to come" (Greek: all' oupō to telos - ἀλλ᾽ οὔπω τὸ τέλος):
  • "but" (all'): A strong adversative conjunction, contrasting the immediate events with the ultimate consummation.
  • "not yet" (oupō): A definitive temporal adverb indicating that the ultimate finality or completion has not arrived. It cautions against immediate and definitive interpretations of these initial signs as the ultimate climax.
  • "the end" (to telos): This refers to the consummation, the completion, the final outcome or goal. It's not merely an abrupt cessation but the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes and the ultimate arrival of His Kingdom. Jesus is clarifying that these initial signs, while necessary, are distinct from the true final stage of the age.
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars": This phrase emphasizes the continuous nature of conflict, both direct and indirect (through reports). It suggests a climate of anxiety and instability will be prevalent across the world, affecting people's perception and daily lives, long before the ultimate culmination.
  • "but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen": This critical conjunction links the visible signs of chaos with God's hidden plan. The instruction not to be alarmed is directly predicated on the divine necessity of these events. Understanding God's sovereign control over even turbulent times is the antidote to fear and panic for believers.
  • "but the end is still to come": This final clause provides both a caution and reassurance. It tempers premature interpretations of the "end" while simultaneously affirming that a true end, a divine culmination, is indeed forthcoming. These events are part of the journey, not the destination itself, setting a temporal boundary for these initial signs.

Matthew 24 6 Bonus section

• The immediate command to "not be alarmed" (ὁρᾶτε μὴ θροεῖσθε) suggests a particular kind of response is expected from Christ's followers, different from the world's reaction. This calm demeanor amidst chaos testifies to a hope beyond present circumstances.
• The concept of things that "must happen" (dei) frequently appears in the Gospels, pointing to events that fulfill divine prophecy and are integral to God's plan of redemption, including Jesus' own suffering and resurrection (e.g., Matt 16:21; Lk 24:7, 44; Jn 3:14). This continuity affirms that even geopolitical strife aligns with God's overarching purpose.
• This verse sets up the "beginning of birth pains" mentioned in Matt 24:8. The image of "birth pains" implies increasing frequency and intensity leading to a culmination, suggesting that while these initial wars are signs, they are precursors to even greater events, not the peak.
• Jesus' teaching here offers a safeguard against apocalyptic sensationalism and the setting of specific dates for His return. By emphasizing "not yet" for these early signs, He discourages unhealthy fixation on imminent timing and promotes a posture of enduring faith and persistent ministry.
• The repetition of similar warnings in Mark 13:7 and Luke 21:9 underscores the critical importance Jesus placed on His disciples' internal state and discernment concerning future events. This consistency across the Synoptic Gospels highlights a central tenet of eschatological wisdom.

Matthew 24 6 Commentary

Matthew 24:6 is a foundational statement within Jesus' eschatological discourse, providing crucial guidance for believers navigating periods of global upheaval. The verse highlights that continuous occurrences of wars and pervasive rumors of war are not unexpected aberrations but predetermined elements within God's sovereign plan for the age. This divine necessity ("must happen") serves as a bulwark against panic, explaining why believers should remain composed ("see to it that you are not alarmed"). The core message is one of divine order amidst apparent chaos. These initial tumultuous events are distinguished from the ultimate culmination, serving as signals or "birth pains" (as detailed in the subsequent verse) rather than the final "end." For the Christian, this verse teaches watchfulness without alarmism, encouraging discernment over speculative anxiety. It calls for trust in God's timetable and purpose, allowing believers to focus on faithful living and the Great Commission rather than being consumed by world events. Practical application involves maintaining peace in the heart despite worldly turmoil, understanding that current events, no matter how severe, fall within God's decreed unfolding of time, culminating in Christ's return.