Eschatology In The Synoptic Gospels

Abstract

 Earliest Christianity is overwhelmingly eschatological from its very inception. This is immediately obvious
from the Synoptic Gospels’ account of Jesus and his message. Diverse material such as the parables, proclamation of
the Kingdom, miracles, Lord’s Prayer and the last supper all show this strong eschatological dimension. Mark 13 (and
the parallels in Matthew 24 and Luke 21) represents a long, sustained eschatological discourse, dealing with the
tribulation and suffering of the end times, the shortening of days and the coming of the son of man in glory. Especially
striking is Mark 13:30, “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place”. Outside Mark 13 we find,
for example, Mark 9:1, “there are some of you standing here who will not taste of death until you see the kingdom
with power.” These and other texts (for instance, Matthew 10:23; Luke 12: 39-40, 22:18) point to the coming of the
kingdom and the return of Jesus in glory all in the very near future.