And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

MATTHEW 24:6KJV
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Matthew 24:6 (KJV)

What does Matthew 24:6 mean?

Matthew 24:6 describes how Jesus tells His disciples that they will hear about wars and threats of wars, but they should not be alarmed, because these events must happen, yet they do not signal the immediate end. Jesus is preparing His followers to expect troubling news and upheaval, but He reassures them that such events are not the final sign.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking privately to His disciples on the Mount of Olives after they asked Him about the signs of the end times. He warns them that conflict and rumors of conflict will be common, but these are part of a larger unfolding plan and not a reason to panic. The verse sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, where Jesus explains what to expect before the end truly comes.

The Greek behind Matthew 24:6

  • The word "troubled" comes from ταραχθῆτε (tarachthēte), which is often understood as being disturbed, frightened, or shaken. Jesus is urging His disciples not to let fear overtake them when they hear about wars.
  • The phrase "must come to pass" uses δεῖ (dei), which means something is necessary or inevitable. This emphasizes that these events are not random but are part of what must happen according to God's plan.
  • The word "end" is τέλος (telos), which refers to the final goal or completion. Jesus clarifies that even though these events are dramatic, they do not mean the ultimate conclusion has arrived.

Why Matthew 24:6 matters

  • Matthew 24:6 helps clear up the misunderstanding that every war or global crisis is a direct sign that the end of the world is immediately at hand; Jesus says these things will happen, but they are not the final signal.
  • The verse emphasizes Jesus’ concern for His followers’ peace of mind, showing that He does not want them to live in constant fear or anxiety about world events.
  • Matthew 24:6 connects to the wider passage by introducing a pattern: Jesus lists signs that are not yet the end, teaching His disciples to discern and not jump to conclusions about the timing of God’s ultimate plan.

Where else these words appear

“be” Greek G2360 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

“wars” Greek G4171 · used in 16 verses

  • Mark 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
  • James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
  • Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

“rumours” Greek G189 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
  • John 12:38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
  • Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

“yet” Greek G3768 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • John 7:8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
  • Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)