Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
This phrase indicates a period of intense conflict and upheaval. Historically, such conflicts have been common, but this prophecy suggests an escalation in both frequency and intensity. The use of "nation" and "kingdom" reflects the geopolitical realities of the ancient world, where city-states and empires often clashed. This prophecy can be seen as a foreshadowing of the wars and conflicts that have occurred throughout history, including those in the 20th and 21st centuries. It also echoes Old Testament prophecies, such as those found in Isaiah 19:2, where God speaks of stirring up Egyptians against Egyptians. The phrase underscores the fallen nature of humanity and the resulting strife that comes from sin.

There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Famines and earthquakes are natural disasters that have plagued humanity throughout history. In the biblical context, famines often served as a form of divine judgment or a call to repentance, as seen in the story of Joseph in Genesis 41. Earthquakes, too, are frequently associated with God's power and judgment, such as the earthquake at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:18. The mention of "various places" suggests a global scope, indicating that these events will not be isolated but widespread. This aligns with the apocalyptic imagery found in the Book of Revelation, where natural disasters are part of the end-times scenario. These events serve as reminders of the transient nature of the world and the need for spiritual preparedness.

1. Nations and Kingdoms
Refers to political entities and groups of people. In the context of Matthew 24, it signifies widespread conflict and turmoil among different groups and countries.

2. Famines
A severe shortage of food resulting in widespread hunger. Famines are often seen as a sign of divine judgment or a call to repentance in biblical literature.

3. Earthquakes
Natural disasters that cause the ground to shake. In biblical prophecy, earthquakes often symbolize significant divine intervention or judgment.

4. Various Places
Indicates that these events will occur globally, not confined to a single region, emphasizing the widespread nature of the prophesied turmoil.

5. Jesus' Olivet Discourse
The context of this verse is part of Jesus' teaching on the Mount of Olives, where He discusses the signs of the end times with His disciples.Understanding Prophecy
Recognize that Jesus' words in Matthew 24:7 are part of a larger prophetic discourse. They serve as a warning and a call to be spiritually prepared for the end times.

Signs of the Times
Be aware of global events and how they may align with biblical prophecy. This awareness should lead to a deeper reliance on God and His sovereignty.

Spiritual Readiness
Use the signs of wars, famines, and earthquakes as reminders to live a life of faith and obedience, always ready for Christ's return.

Compassion and Action
In times of disaster and conflict, Christians are called to respond with compassion and practical help, reflecting Christ's love to those in need.

Prayer and Vigilance
Maintain a prayerful attitude, seeking God's guidance and strength to endure and remain faithful amidst global turmoil.(7) Nation shall rise against nation.--Some of the more memorable of these are recorded by Josephus: one at Seleucia, in which 50,000 Jews are said to have perished (Ant. xviii. 9, ?? 8, 9); others at Caesarea, Scythopolis, Joppa, Ascalon, and Tyre (Wars 2:18); and the memorable conflict between Jews and Greeks at Alexandria, under Caligula, A.D. 38, of which we learn from Philo. The whole period was, indeed, marked by tumults of this kind.

Famines.--Of these we know that of which Agabus prophesied (Acts 11:28), and which was felt severely, in the ninth year of Claudius, not only in Syria, but in Rome (Jos. Ant. xx. 2). Suetonius (Claud. c. 18) speaks of the reign of that emperor as marked by "continual scarcity."

Pestilences.--The word is not found in the best MSS., and has probably been inserted from the parallel passage in Luke 21:11. It was, however, the inevitable attendant on famine, and the Greek words for the two (?????, and ??????, limos and loimos) were so like each other that the omission may possibly have been an error of transcription. A pestilence is recorded as sweeping off 30,000 persons at Rome (Sueton. Nero, 39; Tacitus, Ann. xvi. 13).

Earthquakes, in divers places.--Perhaps no period in the world's history has ever been so marked by these convulsions as that which intervenes between the Crucifixion and the destruction of Jerusalem. Josephus records one in Judaea (Wars, iv. 4, ? 5); Tacitus tells of them in Crete, Rome, Apamea, Phrygia, Campania (Ann. xii. 58; xiv. 27; xv. 22); Seneca (Ep. 91), in A.D. 58, speaks of them as extending their devastations over Asia (the proconsular province, not the continent), Achaia, Syria, and Macedonia.

Verse 7. - Nation shall rise against nation, etc. This part of the prediction is inapplicable to the era preceding the ruin of Jerusalem, the disturbances that occurred then (e.g. at Alexandria, Seleucia, Jamnia, and other localities mentioned by Josephus, 'Ant.,' 18:09. 8, 9; 'Bell. Jud.,' 2:17. 10; 18:1-8; 4:3. 2; and by Philo, 'Legat. ad Caium,' § 30) could hardly have been indicated in such grand terms. More to the purpose is the sketch of the period given by Tacitus, at the opening of his history, though it embraces also details belonging to a somewhat later age: "I enter upon a work fertile in vicissitudes, stained with the blood of battles, embroiled with dissensions, horrible even in the intervals of peace. Four princes slain by the sword; three civil wars, more with foreign enemies, and sometimes both at once; prosperity in the East, disasters in the West; Illyricum disturbed; the Gauls ready to revolt; Britain conquered, and again lost; Sarmatians end Suevians conspiring against us; the Dacians renowned for defeats given and sustained; the Parthians almost aroused to arms by a counterfeit Nero. Italy afflicted with calamities unheard of, or recurring only after a long interval; cities overwhelmed or swallowed up in the fertile region of Campania; Rome itself laid waste by fire, the most ancient temples destroyed, the very capitol burned by its own citizens," etc. ('Hist.,' I. 2). But the Lord's words seem to refer to times when Rome's dominion had ceased, and nation warred against nation, as in later and modern days in Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa So again the prediction must be extended far beyond events in the Jewish cycle. Famines. Besides the famine mentioned in Acts 11:28, there were others in Jerusalem and Judaea (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 3:15. 3; 20:2.6; 4. 2; 'Bell. Jud.,' yd. 3. 3). Suetonius ('Claud.,' 18) speaks of "assiduas sterilitates;" and Tacitus ('Ann.,' 12:43) records as happening at the same period, "frugum egestas, et orta ex eo fames." And pestilences; as consequent on famine. Hence the Greek paronomasia, λιμοὶ καὶ λαμοί, in our text. But many editors expunge λιμοί, considering it, with some reason, to have been introduced from the parallel passage in St. Luke, where it is certainly genuine. Of pestilences we have notice in Josephus ('Bell. Jud.,' 4:06, 1), in Tacitus ('Ann.,' 14:16), and Suetonius ('Nero,' 39), where we read that at Rome in a single autumn thirty thousand persons perished. Wordsworth refers to Tertullian ('Apol.,' 20.), Who sees in these predictions infallible proof of the inspiration of Scripture. "Hence it is that we come to be so certain of many things not yet come to pass, from the experience we have of those that are; because those were presignified by the same Spirit with these which we see fulfilling every day" (Reeve). Earthquakes. Commentators relate the occurrence of such commotions at Rome, in Crete, Laodicea, Campania, etc., and at Jerusalem (Josephus, 'Bell. Jud.,' 4:04. 5; Tacitus, 'Ann.,' 12:43, 58; 14:27; 15:22; Seneca, 'Ep.,' 91. 9; Philostraius, 'Vit. Apollon.,' 4:34; Zonaras, 'Ann.,' 11:10). Nosgen takes the term "earthquakes" in a metaphorical sense as equivalent to ταραχαί, and implying mental perturbations; but it seems incongruous to admit a metaphysical prognostication in the midst of a notice of a series of material phenomena. In divers places; κατὰ τόπους: per loca (Vulgate). Some render the words, "in all places," ubivis locorum, as in Luke 2:41, κατ ἔτος, "every year." But it is better to take the preposition distributively, "place by place," like κατ ἄνδρα: so equivalent to "here and there."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Nation
ἔθνος (ethnos)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

will rise
ἐγερθήσεται (egerthēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1453: (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.

against
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

nation,
ἔθνος (ethnos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

against
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

kingdom.
βασιλείαν (basileian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

There will be
ἔσονται (esontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

famines
λιμοὶ (limoi)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3042: A famine, hunger. Probably from leipo; a scarcity of food.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

earthquakes
σεισμοὶ (seismoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4578: A shaking (as an earthquake); a storm. From seio; a commotion, i.e. a gale, an earthquake.

in
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

[various] places.
τόπους (topous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5117: Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation (Matt. Mat Mt)