The Olivet Discourse is carried in the synoptic gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The go-to for this detailed prophecy of the end-times by Jesus is usually the Gospel of Matthew, I suppose since it is the most detailed. In my observations, the Gospel of Luke often has additional detail not found in the other two.

I thought it might be helpful to compare the prophecies across the gospels so you can see the differences and similarities. I will only compare the birth pangs signs at this point. Any additional information I find in parallel verses will by highlighted in bold.

1 – Deceptions

• Matthew 24:4-5 See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

• Mark 13:5-6 See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many.

• Luke 21:8 See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them.

2 – War

• Matthew 24:6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

• Mark 13:7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.

• Luke 21:9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.

3 – Uprisings in Two Realms (Temporal and Spiritual)

• Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

• Mark 13:8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

• Luke 21:10 Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.

4, 5, 6 – Famine, Plagues and Earthquakes

• Matthew 24:7 and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

• Mark 13:8 there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines.

• Luke 21:11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues (loimos) and famines.

7 – The Luke Sign (Unique to the Gospel of Luke)

• Luke 21:11 and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

Matthew and Mark track pretty well. The gospel of Luke adds more information and a few more signs not found in the other two :

• Disturbances
• Plagues
• Terrors and great signs from heaven

In my previous posts, I wrote about each of these. Anyway, I hope you find this helpful. Each of the gospels sort of distinguishes a first set of prophecies as “the beginning of birth pangs” from additional prophecies that speak to the end times to include the tribulation period.

Luke again seems to add additional information point to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This does not mean the Olivet Discourse is just about that period. All it means is that Luke adds information about that period not found in the other gospels. I was recently introduced to this distinction by the late Dr. Church Missler in one of his old videos. I’m still studying it but I thought it very interesting.