Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.
Parallel translations
- KJV Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
- BSB Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.
- NKJV Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.
- NASB Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.
- NLT I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus solemnly affirms that this generation will not pass before all is accomplished.
Overview
Faithful interpreters understand 'this generation' variously: as the generation that saw Jerusalem fall, as the Jewish people preserved through the ages, or as the generation witnessing the final signs. All agree Jesus' words are utterly reliable. The verse underscores the certainty of His prophecy whatever its precise reference.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Mark 13:30Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.
- Matt 24:34Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all these things are accomplished.
- Matt 23:36Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.
- Matt 16:28Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
- Luke 11:50–51that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 21:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.