What is "this generation" that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:34?
We believe that "this generation" in Matthew 24:34 refers to the present corrupted generation through Adam.
The Greek word often transliterated as "genea" (Strong's #1074) -- in the Bible -- most often, but not always, refers to a specific generation of people living in a specific time.
Jesus linked the passing away of "this generation" with the passing away of the present heavens and earth. (Matthew 24:35) This would indicate the generation that Jesus was speaking of in Matthew 24:34 is the world of mankind as developed since Adam. It is the "world" spoken of in Romans 5:12, into which sin was introduced by means of one man. This heavens and earth are to perish. (Hebrews 1:12) Now let us note what Paul wrote:
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and divisive reasonings,
Philippians 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation [genea], among whom you are seen as lights in the world.
Paul used the same word in Philippians 2:15 that Jesus used in Matthew 24:34, and he associates it with "the world". The word "world" is translated from the Greek word often transliterated as "kosmos", which refers to an order or arrangement of affairs on the planet earth. It is the same word that Paul used in Romans 5:12, when he wrote of how sin had come into the world. It is also the same word that Jesus used in in John 17:5, and the same word John used in John 1:10. Therefore, our conclusion is that "this generation" of Matthew 24:34, being associated with the present heavens and earth that are to pass away (Matthew 24:35), is the world into which the Logos came, which became corrupted through the sin of Adam (Romans 5:12), resulting in the present rule of the sun of unrighteousness (crookedness) and vanity. -- Ecclesiastes 1:2,8-17; Romans 5:12-19; 8:20-22.
See also our study:
Does Jehovah Speak to Jehovah?
Ronald R. Day, Sr., Restoration Light Bible Study Services (RLBible; ResLight)
