Matthew 24:14

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.

And {G2532} this {G5124} gospel {G2098} of the kingdom {G932} shall be preached {G2784} in {G1722} all {G3650} the world {G3625} for {G1519} a witness {G3142} unto all {G3956} nations {G1484}; and {G2532} then {G5119} shall the end {G5056} come {G2240}.

And this Good News about the Kingdom will be announced throughout the whole world as a witness to all the Goyim. It is then that the end will come.

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.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.

Commentary

Matthew 24:14 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' prophetic discourse, often called the Olivet Discourse, where He outlines signs preceding His return and the end of the age. This verse offers both a promise and a clear condition for the consummation of history.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' warnings about various tribulations, false prophets, and increasing lawlessness that would characterize the period leading up to His second coming (Matthew 24:4-13). Amidst these challenging predictions, verse 14 stands out as a definitive sign that must be fulfilled before "the end" arrives. It reassures believers that God's ultimate plan for global evangelization will indeed be accomplished, despite the surrounding chaos.

Key Themes

  • The Global Proclamation of the Gospel: The core message is that the "gospel of the kingdom" must reach every corner of the earth. This highlights the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and the mission given to His followers. It is a powerful motivation for world missions and evangelism.
  • The "Gospel of the Kingdom": This phrase (Greek: euangelion tēs basileias) emphasizes not just salvation from sin, but the good news that God's reign is breaking in, culminating in Christ's kingship over all the earth. It speaks to the comprehensive rule and redemptive plan of God being made known.
  • A Witness Unto All Nations: The purpose of this worldwide preaching is described as a "witness" (Greek: martyrion). This implies a testimony or declaration that makes God's truth known to all peoples, ensuring that no nation is left without the opportunity to hear. It doesn't necessarily imply universal conversion, but universal exposure to the message.
  • The Timing of the End: The verse explicitly states that "then shall the end come." This establishes a divine timetable where the completion of global witness is a prerequisite for the final culmination of human history as we know it, leading to the return of Christ and the final judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "gospel of the kingdom" (εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας, euangelion tēs basileias) is significant. While often equated with the gospel of salvation, it carries the broader implication of the good news concerning God's active reign and sovereign rule being established on earth. "All the world" (ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, en holē tē oikoumenē) literally refers to the inhabited earth, underscoring the truly global reach of this divine mandate. The word "witness" (μαρτύριον, martyrion) highlights the declaratory nature of this preaching—it is a testimony that stands before God and humanity.

Practical Application

Matthew 24:14 serves as a profound call to action for believers today. It underscores the urgency and importance of participating in the Great Commission. Every Christian has a role, whether directly through missions or indirectly through support and prayer, in ensuring that the "gospel of the kingdom" is proclaimed to every unreached people group. This verse provides hope and assurance that God's plan is unfolding precisely as He purposed, and the end will not come until His global redemptive work through His church is complete. It reminds us that our present efforts in sharing the good news are integral to God's ultimate timetable for the new heavens and new earth, as hinted in Revelation 21:1.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Olivet Discourse: Understanding Matthew 24-25 The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats The Olivet Discourse: Signs of the End Times The Second Coming of Christ The Transfiguration of Jesus

Cross-References

  • Revelation 14:6

    ¶ And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

  • Romans 10:18

    But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

  • Romans 16:25

    ¶ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

  • Romans 16:26

    But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

  • Luke 24:47

    And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

  • Mark 16:15

    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

  • Mark 16:16

    He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
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