Was Jesus supposed to return 1900 years ago?

Question

I don't mean to offend, but I've read biblical passages that seem to imply that Jesus predicted he would return within the lifetime of his contemporaries. How do Christian apologists respond to this interpretation?

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I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Mark 13:30-31)

He also said to them, "Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come in power." (Mark 9:1)

"Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:27)

Answer 1

I don't think those second two verses necessarily mean the kingdom of God to be the second coming. I know, it's horrible of me, but I'm a Christian and I haven't studied this particular part of scripture in detail. Perhaps he meant the church? Because that is quite true; most of them didn't die until the early church formed and was spreading.

Also, "some of you will not taste death before you see the kingdom of God" is the last part of that section. It then says, "About eight days after Jesus said this .." and it describes the transfiguration, where Christ appeared to Peter, John and James as he would appear in heaven. So it seems to me that because it included "about 8 days after he said this..." that the bit about seeing the kingdom of God was about seeing Christ.

As for the first verse, in my Bible, there's a footnote at "this generation." Apparently, the word used for generation is also translatable into "this race." So of course, it would mean that the end times would come before the Jews died out, not before that particular generation.

Answer 2

In all these passages He is talking about His death and Resurrection, not the Second Coming. He is saying that He will change the way that people enter into Heaven and that some of those He is talking to will not die until after He dies and brings on this new and wondrous way of entering into Heaven. However, a lot of His disciples and followers did expect His return in their lifetime. Just like every follower from then til now expects the same. Thanks for the awesome question, and have a great day.

Answer 3

Two good explanations, but I will only share one and that is that John saw the kingdom come and then wrote the book of revelations.

you must also realize that previous to this statement, God said no one knows when that day will be (when Jesus returns) not even the son. So Jesus is not implying that he knows the date, because only the Father does.

Answer 4

Yeah, pretty much. That's why so many early Christians weren't afraid of being martyred - they confidently expected Jesus to turn up any second and rescue them. Cut to 2007 CE, and people still think the same thing.

I think the greatest moment of Christian stupidity I have ever encountered is when I saw an American televangelist use these verses to imply that Jesus will return in OUR generation.

Answer 5

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

ajmh;n levgw uJmi'n o&ti ouj mh; parevlqh/ hJ genea; au&th e&wß a^n pavnta tau'ta gevnhtai.

The original Greek Word for generation is: geneav, Strong's #1074. Now let's pause for a minute here because this is where we come to a huge fork in the road, and to understanding the chapter. You see, the word "generation" in the original Greek can be used in more than one sense; it can be used:

1.) to denote a particular lifespan, normally 30 years or so or of all those living on the earth at the same time.
OR
2.) From Strong's Concordance: that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family; the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy; metaph. a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character; esp. in a bad sense, a perverse nation.

So now the question arises, to which of the ways is the correct one to understand how "generation" is to be used, and this without saying is very important to understanding the chapter.

The answer lies in the context of the scripture in which it is found. When reading Matthew 24, I believe the chapter to be highly parabolic, so lets look at the surrounding context.

Matthew 24:32-51 32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Christ here is without a doubt speaking about the last day, so going back to the word generation, we know it must be #2. In other words, this evil generation of mankind will not be totally destroyed until Christ has entirely fulfilled His good plans for the world.

Answer 6

I was recently made aware of this idea through another question and it does appear to me that Jesus thought he would be returning during the lifetime of his disciples.

Quite frankly, I'm not surprised that he didn't, are you? The notion of living gods and spirits is, after all, is very much outside ones expectations of reality.

Jesus wasn't quite the able and mystical son of god he thought he claimed to be... he was merely a man and likely just a nutter among many of his time.

The scripture in this case is easy to follow and points rather clearly to the expectations that Jesus possessed. It just didn't happen happen, did it?

Answer 7

He's been predicted to return like 7000 times already.

You've seen the Failed End of Times Prophecies List right?

Answer 8

Your question is totally void of any logic. An atheist would not believe that Jesus will ever come back. Using any quotes or passages from the Ancient Book of Fables (AKA The Bible ) will never sway an atheist in any form or fashion. FAIL!

Answer 9

Good job on disproving Christianity.

Answer 10

Actually he was supposed to be back before 60 AD - his followers expected him in their lifetimes.

But he never was good at being on time.