Matthew 24:9

Friday, 13 November 2026

 

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. Matthew 24:9

 

“Then they will surrender you to pressure, and they will kill you, and you will be ‘hatings’ by all the ethnicities through the ‘name, Mine’.” (CG)

 

In the previous verse, Jesus said that all the things He had said were commencement pangs. With those noted, He next says, “Then.”

 

The word tote is derived from ho, the definite article, and hote, when. Thus, it is “the when.” It is a time marker meaning at that time. In this case, it signifies the time when the thing under consideration has been said or done.

 

Jesus was speaking about things that would happen. At some point, there will be a time when those things have been done. As seen, they are things that have occurred all along in human history. So, we can’t just say, “All those things have been done, and so now is the time Jesus is referring to.”

 

Rather, Jesus is saying that there will be a point when new things will come about, marking the time He refers to. The tenor of Jesus’ words in the coming verses does not match anything that has happened in history, such as at the destruction of the temple in AD70. Even if some of the things of the past mirror events Jesus speaks of, the overall message is future to us now. For now, He says, “they will surrender you to pressure.”

 

The word thlipsis signifies pressure. It is often translated as tribulation. It will be used again in verses 21 & 29. Reading both of those verses gives all certainty that this refers to the future –

 

“It will be also, then, ‘pressure, great’, such as not, it has been from ‘commencement, world’, until the ‘now’, neither, no not it shall be.” Matthew 24:21 (CG)

 

“Immediately, also, after the ‘tribulation, the days, those’, the sun, it will be obscured, and the moon, not it will give the ‘brilliancy, it’, and the stars, they will fall from the heaven, and the ‘powers, the heavens’, they will be agitated.” Matthew 24:29 (CG)

 

As for who will be surrendered, the words seem to indicate Israel collectively. Jesus’ words will apply to everyone in the nation, but they are particularly directed to those who will hear His words, such as in verses 15-26. Understanding this, He continues, “and they will kill you, and you will be ‘hatings’ by all the ethnicities through the ‘name, Mine’.”

 

Jesus’ words mean that the nation of Israel, a nation that has signed a seven-year peace deal, will still not be loved in the world. In fact, it will only get worse during the tribulation. The ethnicities are the nations. This could be referring to all nations, including Israel, who hate those who believe in Jesus, or the words could refer to all other nations hating Israel.

 

If the former, the words “through the ‘name, Mine’” would be speaking specifically of Jesus’ name. If the latter, it would be the name of Yehovah (who Jesus is), who is the God of Israel. If the latter, the outstanding issue would remain that Israel still needed to figure out that Jesus is Yehovah incarnate.

 

This seems like the likely intent because of what Jesus will continue to say. The entire nation is being addressed, but only those who pay heed to His words (as their Lord) will do what they need to do to be saved. As these things are future, it is hard to be dogmatic about the intent. Either way, Jesus is the key.

 

Israel will enter the tribulation. Those who come to Christ will be saved, even through death. His words are a warning for what lies ahead.

 

Life application: Regardless of whether Jesus is speaking to Israel collectively or only believers, it is the disciples who are being spoken to in this passage. Therefore, the words ultimately only apply to those who will read their words, accept their message, and accept that Jesus is who the Bible claims.

 

At the end of the tribulation, all survivors in Israel will come to this realization. It will be a time of intense mourning followed by a period of the greatest joy ever realized in human history. These things will come to pass because God, who is ever faithful to His covenants, has promised them to Israel.

 

It is true that there will be believers all around the world who will be a part of the tribulation, but the focus in these verses is on Israel. That is obvious when reading verses like Matthew 24:16. We will get there in a few more days. Until then, be strong in your faith. God has saved you through faith in Jesus. That will never change.

 

So when you fail to meet up to His standards, acknowledge your shortcomings and press on in God’s goodness to you. He will see you through to a good end.

 

Lord God, thank You for the sure and reliable promises You have given us through the New Covenant of grace. Through faith in the finished work of Jesus, we are saved, once and for all. What a great and wonderful God You are to include us in Your wonderful plan of redemption. Amen.