What Does “This Generation” Mean to Jehovah’s Witnesses?

- Reading time: 9 minutes

Introduction

One of the most recognizable teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the belief that we are living in “the last days.” Closely connected with this belief is Jesus’ statement recorded at Matthew 24:34:

“This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.”

For much of the twentieth century, Jehovah’s Witnesses understood this verse to refer to the generation of people who were alive in 1914, the year they believe Jesus Christ began ruling invisibly in heaven.

However, when Watchtower publications are examined chronologically, an interesting development appears:

The year 1914 remained constant, but the explanation of who makes up “this generation” changed several times.

The meaning of “generation” moved through several different explanations:

  1. People alive in 1914.
  2. People old enough to understand the events of 1914.
  3. Anyone alive in 1914, including babies.
  4. Contemporary wicked people.
  5. Anointed Christians.
  6. Two overlapping groups of anointed Christians.

This article examines that development using Jehovah’s Witness publications.

Why 1914 Matters

To understand the importance of the “generation” doctrine, it is necessary to understand the role of 1914 in Jehovah’s Witness theology.

Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that:

  • Jesus began ruling invisibly in heaven in 1914.
  • The last days began in 1914.
  • Satan was cast out of heaven in 1914.
  • The sign described in Matthew chapter 24 began in 1914.

Because Jesus’ statement about “this generation” appears in the context of his discussion about the sign of his presence, the identity of that generation became closely connected with 1914.

The question became:

Who exactly makes up “this generation”?

The answer has changed over time.

Early Bible Student Period: Before 1927

Chronology Was the Main Focus

During Charles Taze Russell’s lifetime, the Bible Students focused primarily on prophetic chronology.

Their framework included:

  • 1799 — beginning of the “time of the end”
  • 1874 — beginning of Christ’s invisible presence
  • 1878 — Christ begins heavenly rule
  • 1914 — end of the Gentile Times

Matthew 24:34 was not yet the primary time indicator that it later became.

After 1914 passed without the expected earthly events occurring, greater attention was given to identifying the generation that Jesus referred to.

1927: The Generation Becomes Connected With 1914

By the late 1920s, the organization began applying Jesus’ words about “this generation” to the modern period beginning in 1914.

The prophecy was no longer viewed primarily as referring only to Jesus’ first-century audience.

Instead, the “generation” became associated with those witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy in the modern era.

This created a direct connection:

1914 → This Generation → The End

1952: Generation = Those Alive in 1914

Source

The Watchtower

September 1, 1952

Article: “Questions From Readers”

The Watchtower explained that the generation referred to those living when the events of 1914 began.

The basic teaching was:

  • The generation began in 1914.
  • Those who witnessed the beginning of the sign would still be alive when the end came.

The generation became a prophetic clock connected directly to 1914.

1960s–1970s: “The Generation of 1914”

During this period, the expression:

“The generation of 1914”

became a common Watchtower phrase.

Publications repeatedly emphasized that:

  • the generation was growing older,
  • the end was approaching,
  • those who had witnessed 1914 would see the fulfillment of Jesus’ words.

The practical meaning was:

The end must occur before the 1914 generation disappeared.

1978: The Generation Must Understand 1914

Source

The Watchtower

October 1, 1978

Article: “Questions From Readers”

Previous Understanding

Many understood the generation as including everyone alive in 1914.

New Explanation

The Watchtower reasoned that merely being alive was not enough.

A person needed to be old enough to observe and understand the events associated with 1914.

The article therefore excluded babies and very young children.

Change

Before:

Anyone alive in 1914.

After:

Those old enough to comprehend the events of 1914.

The definition became narrower.

1984: Babies Alive in 1914 Included Again

Source

The Watchtower

May 15, 1984

Article: “1914—The Generation That Will Not Pass Away”

The article reconsidered the definition.

It stated:

“If Jesus used ‘generation’ in that sense and we apply it to 1914, then the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or older.”

The article also emphasized that millions of that generation were still alive.

Change

Before:

Must have understood 1914.

After:

Anyone alive in 1914 could qualify.

The earlier restriction was reversed.

1995: The Major Redefinition

Sources

The Watchtower

November 1, 1995

Explained further:

The Watchtower

May 1, 1997

Article: “Questions From Readers”

This was one of the most significant changes in the history of the doctrine.

Previous Teaching

The generation was:

People alive in 1914.

New Teaching

The generation was explained as:

Contemporary wicked people living during the same period.

The 1997 article explained that “this generation” was not:

“a fixed length of time beginning with a specific date.”

Effect

The direct countdown from 1914 was removed.

The prophecy was no longer tied to the lifespan of people who witnessed 1914.

2008: Generation Changes Again

Source

The Watchtower

February 15, 2008

Article: “Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You?”

The organization reconsidered the 1995 explanation.

The new understanding was that Jesus was speaking primarily to his disciples.

Therefore:

“This generation” referred to Christ’s anointed followers.

Change

Before:

Contemporary wicked people.

After:

Anointed Christians.

The identity of the generation changed completely.

2010: The Overlapping Generation

Source

The Watchtower

April 15, 2010

The organization introduced the explanation now known as the:

“Overlapping Generation.”

The generation consisted of two groups:

  1. Anointed Christians alive when the sign began in 1914.
  2. Later anointed Christians whose lives overlapped with members of the first group.

Change

Before:

One generation.

After:

Two overlapping groups.

The term “generation” no longer referred to one normal human lifespan.

2014–Present: The Current Explanation Formalized

Source

God’s Kingdom Rules!
2014

The current teaching formalized the overlapping-generation explanation.

According to this explanation:

  • The first group consists of anointed Christians who were alive when the sign began in 1914.
  • The second group consists of anointed Christians whose lives overlapped with members of the first group.
  • Some from this second group will still be alive when the Great Tribulation begins.

The meaning of “generation” is therefore no longer a single historical generation living at the same time.

Matthew 24:34 — Same Scripture, Different Meanings

The wording of Jesus’ statement at Matthew 24:34 has remained unchanged:

“This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.”

However, the explanation of who makes up “this generation” has changed significantly over time.

Period Who Was “This Generation”? Why Was This Explanation Used? What Changed Later?
Early Bible Student period (before 1927) Not yet a major prophetic time marker connected to 1914 The focus was primarily on prophetic chronology involving 1799, 1874, 1878, and 1914 After 1914, greater emphasis was placed on identifying the generation that would see the end
1927–1950s The generation living during the modern fulfillment beginning in 1914 Connected Jesus’ prophecy with events believed to have begun in 1914 The definition became more specific as the years passed
1952–1977 People alive when the events of 1914 began Allowed Matthew 24:34 to function as a time indicator pointing from 1914 toward Armageddon Questions arose about whether infants alive in 1914 could qualify
1978 Those old enough to understand and observe the events of 1914 Attempted to exclude those who had no awareness of the events This narrowed the generation but was later reversed
1984 Anyone alive in 1914, including babies Allowed the remaining members of the 1914 generation to include younger individuals The passage of time eventually made this explanation difficult to maintain
1995 Contemporary wicked people living during the same period Removed the idea of a fixed lifespan beginning in 1914 Eliminated the direct countdown from 1914
2008 Anointed Christians who recognized the sign of Christ’s presence Shifted the focus from wicked people to Jesus’ disciples The number of first-generation anointed connected with 1914 continued to decline
2010 Two overlapping groups of anointed Christians Allowed the connection with 1914 to continue beyond one normal lifespan Became the current explanation
2014–Present First group of anointed connected with 1914 plus a second overlapping group Formalized in God’s Kingdom Rules! “Generation” now involves overlapping groups rather than one historical generation

The Watchtower’s Own Words: Before and After Comparisons

The Original 1914 Generation

Earlier Teaching

The central idea throughout much of the twentieth century was:

The generation that saw the events of 1914 would also see the end of the present system.

The year 1914 functioned as the starting point of the prophetic generation.

1978 Adjustment

Before

Anyone alive in 1914 could potentially belong to the generation.

After

The Watchtower explained that the generation should include those who were able to observe and understand the events.

Result

The definition became more limited.

1984 Adjustment

Before

The 1978 explanation excluded infants.

After

The 1984 explanation allowed infants alive in 1914 to be included.

The article stated:

“If Jesus used ‘generation’ in that sense and we apply it to 1914, then the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or older.”

Result

The definition expanded again.

1995 Adjustment

Before

Generation = people alive in 1914.

After

Generation = contemporary wicked people.

The 1997 Questions From Readers article explained that this was:

“not, as such, a description of a fixed length of time beginning with a specific date.”

Result

The prophetic time calculation was no longer directly measured from 1914.

2008 Adjustment

Before

Generation = wicked people living in the same period.

After

Generation = Christ’s anointed followers.

Result

The identity of the generation changed from unbelievers to believers.

2010 Adjustment

Before

One generation.

After

Two overlapping groups.

The explanation became:

  • First group: anointed Christians alive in 1914.
  • Second group: anointed Christians whose lives overlap with the first.

Result

The timeline could extend beyond the lifetime of those who personally witnessed 1914.

Summary Timeline

Year Explanation of “This Generation”
Before 1927 Not a major prophetic time calculation
1927 Applied to the modern period beginning in 1914
1952 People alive during 1914
1978 People old enough to understand 1914
1984 Anyone alive in 1914, including babies
1995 Contemporary wicked people
2008 Anointed Christians
2010 Two overlapping groups of anointed Christians
2014–Present Formal overlapping-generation doctrine

A Pattern Worth Considering

When viewed chronologically, the progression is:

  1. A generation beginning in 1914.
  2. People alive in 1914.
  3. People old enough to understand 1914.
  4. Anyone alive in 1914, including babies.
  5. Contemporary wicked people.
  6. Anointed Christians.
  7. Two overlapping groups of anointed Christians.

The Scripture remained the same.

The explanation of the term “generation” changed repeatedly.

Conclusion

The history of the “generation” doctrine illustrates how interpretations of Bible prophecy can develop over time.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have consistently maintained the importance of 1914. However, the explanation of Matthew 24:34 and the identity of “this generation” has undergone several significant revisions.

Understanding these changes allows readers to examine both the Scriptures and the historical development of the doctrine.

The question for Bible students is not simply whether an interpretation has changed, but whether the changing explanations preserve the original meaning of the biblical text or represent a new understanding of that text.

As the Bible says:

“Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:21