The year AD 70 was a pivotal year in biblical history. It marked the fulfillment of several major prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple. Here are some of the key prophecies that came to pass in AD 70:
The Destruction of the Temple
One of the most significant events of AD 70 was the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus had prophesied this destruction decades earlier:
“Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”” (Matthew 24:1-2)
The Temple was at the heart of Jewish worship. Its destruction was unthinkable for most Jews. But in AD 70, the Romans sacked Jerusalem and completely demolished the Temple, just as Jesus had foretold.
The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem
Jesus also prophesied that Jerusalem would be besieged and destroyed by enemy armies:
“As he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you.” (Luke 19:41-44)
This came to pass in AD 70 when the Romans laid siege to Jerusalem, eventually breaking through the city walls and destroying the city. Hundreds of thousands of Jews perished.
The Scattering of the Jews
One of the results of the Roman attack on Jerusalem was that the Jewish people were scattered into exile:
“And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24)
After AD 70, the majority of Jews were dispersed throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. It marked the beginning of the Jewish diaspora that continued for centuries.
The Abomination that Causes Desolation
When Jesus was asked about the sign of His coming and the end of the age, He mentioned “the abomination that causes desolation” prophesied by Daniel:
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:15-16)
This appears to refer to the desecration of the Temple by the Romans in AD 70. Luke’s account makes this explicit:
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.” (Luke 21:20)
The Romans sacrificed to their pagan gods in the Temple before burning it to the ground.
The Great Tribulation
Jesus spoke about a coming time of “great tribulation” worse than anything in history:
“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.” (Matthew 24:21)
The horrors experienced by the Jews during the Roman siege certainly fit this description. Even non-Christian historians like Josephus described the slaughter and famine in Jerusalem as catastrophic.
The Days of Vengeance
One of Jesus’ Parables talks about “the days of vengeance”, when God would punish those who rejected Him:
“And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:20-36)
The Roman destruction of Jerusalem is portrayed as God’s judgment on the generation that rejected His Son. The language perfectly matches the events of AD 70.
Shortening of the Days
Jesus said the days of tribulation would be shortened for the sake of the elect:
“And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” (Matthew 24:22)
The Roman siege did not last as long as might be expected, possibly indicating a shortening of the days. The siege began in February AD 70 but the Temple fell by late August.
The Signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars
In His Olivet Discourse, Jesus said there would signs in the sun, moon and stars associated with the tribulation and His coming:
“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” (Mark 13:24-25)
Remarkably, there were reported signs in the skies during the Roman siege of Jerusalem in AD 70. Josephus described a comet hovering over the city for a year and a great light shining around the altar and Temple. There was also a reported eclipse of the moon.
The Mourning of the Tribes of the Earth
Jesus said the tribes of the earth would mourn when they see Him return:
“Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30)
This likely has a dual fulfillment in AD 70 and the Second Coming. The tribes of the land (Greek word can mean earth, land or nation) likely referred to the Jewish tribes mourning the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
Jesus Coming on the Clouds of Heaven
In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus repeatedly spoke of Himself “coming on the clouds of heaven” in judgment during that generation (Matthew 24:30, 34). This echoes the language used of God coming on clouds in the Old Testament. Many scholars see this as figurative language referring to God’s act of judgment on Jerusalem through the Roman armies in AD 70. The destruction of Jerusalem would have seemed like the heavens were falling to the Jews.
This Generation Will Not Pass Away
One of the clearest indicators that Jesus was referring to events in the first century was His declaration that “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (Matthew 24:34). Given the profound events of AD 70, most scholars understand this as Jesus predicting the fulfillment within the lifetimes of His disciples.
In summary, the year AD 70 saw the devastating fulfillment of multiple prophecies Jesus made about Jerusalem and the Temple being destroyed within one generation. This seminal event reshaped Judaism and paved the way for the rapid spread of Christianity in the following centuries. While theological debates continue, most biblical scholars see AD 70 as the climax of many biblical prophecies about God’s coming judgment. The events of that fateful year forever altered the trajectory of both Judaism and Christianity.