ProlepsisOpen in the graph →

Prophecy

The Gospel preached in the whole world (Matthew 24:14)

Bibles in different languages at Iona Abbey (Scotland, 2014). They illustrate the measured spread of translations, not its completion.
Photo of the event Bibles in different languages at Iona Abbey (Scotland, 2014). They illustrate the measured spread of translations, not its completion. — Brian Gratwicke, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

◆ Written before: a dated manuscript proves it

Written c. 30–60 AD according to tradition; c. 80–90 AD according to historians. Event: c. 1804–2026 AD.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew, around AD 30–33, announces that the “good news” (the Gospel) will be preached in the whole world, to all nations, and that then the end will come.

What happened. It is under way, but not complete. In early 2026, about 7.6 billion people have at least part of the Bible in their language, and 123 million still have nothing.

What is still debated. Christian missions themselves seek to fulfill this saying, and other religions, such as Islam or Buddhism, have also spread throughout the world.

Why it is striking

In the 1st century, these disciples formed a small Jewish sect. Linking these figures to the prophecy remains a connection put forward by some readers: nothing is complete, 123 million people still have nothing, and the missions themselves seek to fulfill this verse.

Main objection (in French for now)

Prophétie auto-réalisatrice : les missions chrétiennes ont précisément pour but d’accomplir Mt 24:14, et les organismes de traduction s’y réfèrent explicitement.

The text (World English Bible)

This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Matt 24:14

Sources