Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανὸς
Heaven
G3772
οὐρανὸς
Heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
2 of 13
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆ
earth
G1093
γῆ
earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
5 of 13
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
παρέλθωσιν
pass away
G3928
παρέλθωσιν
pass away
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
6 of 13
to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγοι
words
G3056
λόγοι
words
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
9 of 13
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
οὐ
G3756
Cross References
Isaiah 40:8The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.1 Peter 1:25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.Numbers 23:19God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?Isaiah 55:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.Matthew 5:18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.Proverbs 30:5Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.Isaiah 51:6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.Isaiah 54:10For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.Psalms 89:34My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.Titus 1:2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Historical Context
Jewish thought emphasized Torah's eternal validity. Jesus applies this permanence to His own teaching, implicitly claiming divine authority. 2 Peter 3:10-13 describes heavens passing away, new creation coming. Jesus' words will outlast even the cosmos. Early Christians faced persecution, false teaching, and cultural pressure, but anchored faith in Jesus' abiding words. Two thousand years later, His words remain authoritative while empires and philosophies have disappeared. This verse grounds confidence in Scripture's enduring truthfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that Jesus' words are more permanent than creation itself?
- How should this promise affect our approach to Scripture?
- What gives you more security - physical circumstances or Jesus' promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus declares ultimate permanence: 'Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away' (Greek: ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ παρελεύσεται, οἱ δὲ λόγοι μου οὐ μὴ παρέλθωσιν, 'heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away'). The double negative οὐ μὴ παρέλθωσιν intensifies certainty. Creation itself is temporal, but Jesus' words are eternal. This astounding claim asserts divine authority - only God's word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8). In eschatological discourse about end times, Jesus grounds confidence in His teaching's absolute reliability. His words are more certain than physical reality.