Mark Chapter 13 · Verse 30
Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Original Language Analysis
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 15
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
6 of 15
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
παρέλθῃ
pass
G3928
παρέλθῃ
pass
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
7 of 15
to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενεὰ
generation
G1074
γενεὰ
generation
Strong's:
G1074
Word #:
9 of 15
a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)
αὕτη
this
G3778
αὕτη
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
10 of 15
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
μέχρις
till
G3360
μέχρις
till
Strong's:
G3360
Word #:
11 of 15
as far as, i.e., up to a certain point (as a preposition, of extent (denoting the terminus, whereas g0891 refers especially to the space of time or pl
Cross References
Matthew 24:34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.Luke 21:32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.Mark 9:1And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.Matthew 16:28Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.Matthew 23:36Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
Historical Context
Jesus spoke circa AD 30-33; Jerusalem fell in AD 70—exactly one biblical generation (40 years). Josephus documented the horrors matching Jesus's predictions: famine, false prophets, internecine violence, and temple destruction. Early Christians escaped to Pella (Eusebius, Church History 3.5), heeding Jesus's warning (vv. 14-16). This literal fulfillment strengthened early Christian confidence in Jesus's remaining promises, including his second coming.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the literal fulfillment of Jesus's prophecy about AD 70 bolster your confidence in unfulfilled prophecies?
- What does Jesus's precise prediction reveal about his divine foreknowledge and prophetic authority?
- How should we interpret 'this generation' when reading other gospel passages where Jesus uses the same phrase?
Analysis & Commentary
This generation shall not pass, till all these things be done—The Greek hē genea autē (ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη, 'this generation') has sparked interpretive debate. Genea can mean:
The most natural reading refers to Jesus's contemporaries witnessing the temple's destruction (AD 70)—tauta panta (ταῦτα πάντα, 'all these things') encompassing verses 5-23, not necessarily verse 26's cosmic coming.
Jesus uses amēn legō hymin (ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, 'truly I say to you'), his solemn oath formula, guaranteeing fulfillment within forty years. The word genētai (γένηται, subjunctive of 'to become/happen') emphasizes completed action. This promise validated Jesus as a true prophet (Deuteronomy 18:21-22); Jerusalem's fall in AD 70 vindicated his words and authenticated his deity.