Imminence of Christ's Return: A Beacon of Hope Amid Persecutions

In those times, the words of Jesus resounded as a powerful pledge of salvation for His disciples, providing them with hope and confidence in the face of inevitable persecutions and dangers. The promise to return not after they had managed to visit all the cities of Israel, but much earlier, impressed upon the hearts of the disciples the assurance of an imminent encounter with their Savior. This concept did not guarantee an immediate escape from trials but emphasized that meeting Christ was inevitable—a source of peace and certainty even in the darkest moments. Amid the looming sufferings and crucifixion, this message instilled courage and strength in the disciples, empowering them to continue their journey despite fear and uncertainty, and turning every hardship into a sign of their Savior’s unwavering presence and support.

Why did Jesus promise to come before His disciples had visited all the cities of Israel, and how does this relate to expectations of salvation? Jesus promised, "before you have managed to go through the cities of Israel, the Son of Man will come," primarily to comfort the disciples, who were under the pressure of persecutions and the dangers they would face prior to His crucifixion and suffering. This promise was intended to offer consolation: it assured the disciples that even though they might have to flee from one city to another, the Judge and Savior would not leave them waiting but would come to them much sooner than it would take to traverse the whole territory of Palestine. Thus, the expectation of salvation in this context did not signify an immediate liberation from all hardships, but rather highlighted the inevitability and closeness of the encounter with Christ—a promise meant to inspire confidence and alleviate the fear of persecution.

Supporting citation(s):
"before you have managed to go through the cities of Israel, the Son of Man will come" (source: link )
"before you have finished the cities of Israel, the Son of Man will come... This was said for their consolation and reassurance, affirming that He would take them to Himself sooner than they could go through all the cities of Judea..." (source: link )