What does Matthew 24:9 mean?

The disciples have asked Jesus about when judgment will come on Jerusalem and what signs will indicate the end of the age (Matthew 24:3–4). Jesus' response so far has focused on what the disciples should not interpret as signs of the end of the age. Tales of war, conflict, natural disasters, or violence are not automatic signals of the end (Matthew 24:6–8).

Scholars are split on what time frame Jesus has in mind here. Some believe what Jesus depicts here is a prophecy for the twelve apostles. In that case, the "they" referred to here would be Jewish religious leaders and those they influence. Those authority figures will persecute and murder Jesus' disciples (John 16:1–4). All nations—Israel, then Rome, and eventually countries beyond—will hate them because they are connected to the name of Jesus. It is certainly true that nearly all the Twelve were persecuted and killed for their association with Christ, as they refused to stop preaching the gospel of His kingdom.

Some believe the prior verses depict general history leading up to the events depicted in the book of Revelation.

Others see those troubles as part of the final seven years prior to Christ's millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:4), a period called the "tribulation." In most cases, those far-future-looking interpretations meet here. This verse is normally assumed to be a description of the actual "end times." The context of this line of thought ends with a specific statement "and then the end will come." That suggests Jesus means this segment to apply to the time immediately prior to His second coming (Revelation 19:11–15).