Category Archives: Olivet Discourse

THE DISCIPLES’ TWO QUESTIONS IN MATT 24:3

AD 70, Olivet Discourse, Second Coming May 19, 2026 Comments: 2

PMW 2026-036 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

One of the leading interpretive cues in Matthew 24 is the disciples’ questions in Matthew 24:3: “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” In terms of Matthew’s rhetorical strategy, his record of their questions here may be equal in significance to the Lord’s own statement at Matthew 24:34 regarding “this generation.” After all, as Ulrich Luz notes: “much depends on the interpretation of the double question, since in the opinion of most exegetes it determines the interpretation of the entire chapter.” [1]

What is more, the significance of the Discourse is emphasized in its circumstances: Jesus is “sitting” and he is “on the Mount.” When Jesus sits to speak, this introduces his formal instruction on an important matter. We can see this, for instance, in Matthew 5:1 (where he gives his Sermon on the Mount) and 13:1 (where he presents his parabolic instruction to the crowds on the beach). This formal teaching posture is enhanced by the where he is delivering the Discourse: he is speaking from a mountain. We see the significance of such a setting when Jesus’ takes three of his disciples to “a high mountain by themselves” (Matt. 17:1), where the transfiguration was experienced. And also when he issues his world-challenging great commission (Matt. 28:16ff), which was delivered on “the mountain which Jesus had designated” (Matt. 28:16). Consequently, the disciples would understand that what they are about to hear is of great importance.

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ANOTHER FINE MATTHEW COMMENTARY

Olivet Discourse May 1, 2026 Leave a comment

PMW 2026-031 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

I often receive inquiries seeking recommendation on books on eschatology. And since the Olivet Discourse is a major eschatological passage in Scripture, I am most often asked about commentaries on this passage. The Discourse, Jesus’ only fully eschatological discourse, is found in the three Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. And since Matthew’s version is much longer, I generally focus on it for all the additional insights it offers. The Apostle devotes two whole chapters of ninety-seven verses to the Olivet Discourse. Mark’s is the second longest version but is much shorter, containing only one chapter of thirty-seven verses.

Recently I published an article introducing some of the best preterist commentaries on Matthew (“The Best Matthew Commentaries,” April 10, 2026). Those commentaries have been my go-to works on the Olivet Discourse for a good while. They are immensely insightful and compelling. And fully orthodox.

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THE BEST MATTHEW COMMENTARIES

AD 70, Interpretation, Matthew 24, Olivet Discourse April 10, 2026 Comments: 3

PMW 2026-027 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

As I am working on a new book, tentatively titled The Two Ages of Redemptive History, I am investigating a number of commentaries on Matthew (I do not fly by the seat of my pants as some preterist enthusiasts do!). I have found help in many of them, even when they do not hold to a preterist understanding of Olivet. Yet, several commentaries have become absolutely essential in my investigation. And I highly recommend them to my reader.

In this brief article I will recommend some good commentaries for you. If you are interested in the the Two Ages concept, especially regarding how it impacts the Olivet Discourse in particular  or the Gospel of Matthew in general, you really need to get hold of these. Continue reading →

CONFUSED DISCIPLES THEN AND NOW

AD 70, Age(s) (Two Ages), hyperpreterism, Olivet Discourse April 7, 2026 Comments: 10

PMW 2026-026  by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

I am researching a book on the Two Ages of Redemptive History. This issue of the biblical function of “this age” and “the coming age” arose during my research on a new expanded study Olivet Discourse.

In my research I have a large and important section showing how confused were Jesus’ twelve disciples — despite having the best teacher possible! Their confusion plays a large role in their misunderstanding Jesus’ prophecy of the destruction of the temple (Matt. 24:2). They ask two questions of him, the second of which shows their confusion. They ask when shall these things be, then they ask what shall be the sign of your parousia and of the end of the age (Matt. 24:3). As per much first century Jewish and apocalyptic expectations, they believed the temple could not be destroyed without history ending and that the Messiah would wage war against pagans.
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EL AÑO 70 D. C. Y LA SEGUNDA VENIDA EN MATEO 24 (Parte 2)

AD 70, Olivet Discourse, Second Coming, Spanish articles November 18, 2025 Leave a comment

PMT 2014-052 por Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Gentry note:
Carlos Sanchez Lafuerza has volunteered to begin translating some of my PostmillennialWorldview articles into Spanish. I very much appreciate his willingness to do such, since I receive a lot of interaction from Hispanics and have had several of my books translated into Spanish. For information on Carlos, see the page on this site called “Spanish-translated Articles.” Now for Carlos’ translation of an older article:

En este artículo ofrezco una segunda entrega sobre la cuestión de si el discurso del Monte de los Olivos se centra únicamente en el año 70 d. C. o si también mira hacia la Segunda Venida. Creo que habla de ambos acontecimientos. Lo cual no debería sorprendernos, ya que el año 70 d. C. es un anticipo de la Segunda Venida. Consulte el artículo anterior (PMT 2014-051). Para obtener información más detallada, consulte mi libro The Olivet Discourse Made Easy.

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EL AÑO 70 D. C. Y LA SEGUNDA VENIDA EN MATEO 24 (Parte 1)

AD 70, Olivet Discourse, Second Coming, Spanish articles November 14, 2025 Comments: 3

Translation of PMT 2014-051 por Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Gentry note:
Carlos Sanchez Lafuerza has volunteered to begin translating some of my PostmillennialWorldview articles into Spanish. I very much appreciate his willingness to do such, since I receive a lot of interaction from Hispanics and have had several of my books translated into Spanish. See the page on this site titled “Spanish-translated Articles” for a brief bio of Carlos.

Now for his translation of my older article, numbered PMT 2014-051

And now for Carlos’ translation of PMT 2014-051:

El discurso del Monte de los Olivos (Mateo 24-25) es uno de los cinco discursos principales de Jesús que estructuran el Evangelio de Mateo. Está motivado por la dramática denuncia de Jesús contra Jerusalén y el templo (Mateo 23:37-38), su ceremonial partida definitiva del templo (Mateo 24:1a), la confusa pregunta de sus discípulos sobre el templo como un hermoso lugar de culto (Mateo 24:1b) y su declaración de su inminente destrucción (Mateo 24:2).

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HIS LIGHTNING COMING

Olivet Discourse, Preterism, Second Coming June 13, 2025 Comments: 2

PMW 2025-047 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

I am an orthodox preterist. I believer that Matt 24:1–34 presents Christ’s great prophecy against the first century Jewish temple in Jerusalem. In that prophecy, known as the Olivet Discourse (or more technically: The Eschatological Discourse”), Jesus denounces the temple and warns of its soon-coming destruction (Matt. 24:2). I have argued in numerous writings that the Discourse as a whole deals with AD 70, as well as the end of history. I see the line of demarcation between AD 70 teaching and Second Advent teaching being drawn at Matt 24:34–36.

Nevertheless, a Second Advent intrusion appears in the near-term prophecy. Though I previously held that Matt 24:27 spoke of his judgment-coming in AD 70, I have come to realize I was mistaken. Read carefully in its context, it refers to the Second Advent. That statement reads:

“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

How can this be? Continue reading →