Matthew 24:12-34 The End of the World – A Poem by Jesus

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus creates a poem about the end of the world. The poem is based on a rhyme between the Hebrew words “The End” and “Summer or Summer Fruit.” Jesus is expounding on a poem in Amos 8:1-2 that uses the same rhyme and the same theme. However, he adds an additional rhyme that involves “Wickedness,” “Saved,” “Gates,” and “Shall be done.” The words “Saved” and “Wickedness” use many of the same letters but the letters are prioritized differently. Almost as if they were symbolizing that it is how everything is prioritized that is the difference between “Saved” and “Wickedness.”

“The End” קץ
“Summer Fruit” קיץ

“Wickedness” הרשעות
“Saved” יושע
“Gates” לשערים
“Shall be done” יהיו עשוים

8:1 “Thus the Lord GOD showed me: behold, a basket of summer fruit {“Summer Fruit” (קיץ)}. 2 And he said, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A basket of summer fruit {“Summer Fruit” (קיץ)}." Then the LORD said to me, "The end {“The End” (קץ)} has come upon my people Israel; I will never again pass by them.” [Amos 8:1-2 RSV]

24:12 And because wickedness {“Wickedness” (הרשעות)} will increase, the love of most will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end {“The End” (קץ)} will be saved {“Saved” (יושע)}. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end {“The End” (קץ)} will come.

24:32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer {“Summer” (קיץ) or “Summer Fruit” (קיץ)} is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door {“Gates” (לשערים)}. 34 Truly, I tell you that this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place {“Shall be done” (יהיו עשוים)}.
[The Gospel of Matthew: A Poetic Analysis]

Dr. J. Clontz, Aidan University – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament