Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 24:22

"And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect`s sake those days shall be shortened." — Matthew 24:22 (ASV)

Many problems in interpreting the Olivet Discourse relate to the assumption that “those days” here refers to the period described in vv.15–21 and v.29. But there are excellent reasons for concluding that vv.22–28 refer to the general period of distress introduced by vv.4–14 and that therefore “those days” refers to the entire period of which vv.15–21 are only one part,

(f) The term “elect” (GK 1723; in Matthew only at 22:14; 24:22, 24, 31; cf. 20:16) most naturally refers to all true believers, chosen by God; so it is reasonable to assume that it does so here.

(2) Similarly, “no one” (lit. “all flesh”) normally refers to all humankind and is more sweeping than “no one in Jerusalem.”

(3) The themes of the ensuing verses have already been taken up as characteristics of the entire age (vv.4–14), especially the warning against false christs (cf. vv.4–5). (4) It has already been shown that v.21 makes a suitable ending to vv.15–21. If this interpretation is correct, then v.22 tells us that this age of evangelism and distress—wars, famines, persecution, hatred, false prophets—will become so bad that, if not checked, no one would survive. In a century that has seen two world wars and has had more Christian martyrs than in all the previous nineteen centuries put together, Jesus’ prediction does not seem farfetched. But the age will not run its course; it will be cut short. Thus believers can look for God’s sovereign, climactic intervention without predicting dates.