The day that the water started rising was a surprise for these people. However, the tension is more apparent than real, because a sign can warn a person who can understand that danger is imminent even though he/she doesn’t know exactly when the danger will manifest itself. What must we do? Likewise says Jesus, when he returns, many will be taken away in judgment, but some will be left behind. Some charge these with sinister meaning: τρώγοντες, hinting at gluttony because often used of beasts, though also, in the sense of eating, of men (John 6:58; John 13:18). Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. Matthew 24:36-44 is part of a much larger passage, usually called the Olivet discourse, which discusses both events that transpired in the first century A.D. and those which as of yet have not come to pass. Some Greek manuscripts include “nor the Son” while others omit that phrase. As it was in the days of … The Cappadocians thought that the Son did not know the date on his own but only through the Father…. Imagine then how difficult it is for those of us in safe occupations—such as a secretary working in the World Trade Center—to imagine our imminent death. A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments”, All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan. Readings for the Second and Third Sundays … Continue reading "Commentary on Matthew 24:36-44" The person who knows for sure he will die in two days may well do all sorts of things out of character because he has a firm deadline before him and throws caution to the wind. 24 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. ), The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1987), Pilch, John J., The Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday, Cycle A (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1995), Senior, Donald, Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: Matthew (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998), Soards, Marion; Dozeman, Thomas; McCabe, Kendall, Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Year A (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993), Wylie, Samuel and McKenzie, John L., Proclamation: Advent-Christmas, Series A (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1974), “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. By the time they were sufficiently aroused to do something, it was too late. Our Gospel lesson is the middle portion of a two-chapter apocalyptic section that begins with Jesus’ prediction that the temple will be thrown down (24:1-2) and the disciples’ two questions, “When will these things be?” and “What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” (24:3). Starting in Matthew 24:21, Christ describes the Great Tribulation and the end-time events which would lead up to His return.In verses 37-38, He refers to the time of Noah. Then Jesus went out and depart… The left behind are those blessed who have escaped the great judgment just as Noah’s family escaped the flood. At the root of their discomfort is the difficult theology that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. • The Parable of the Talents (25:14-30), in which the master commends the slaves who used his property wisely but condemns the slave who did not. At the first coming he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. Also, see the comments at the end of this exegesis for ways to prepare for Jesus’ coming. There is no encouragement here for dispensational theologies about the rapture of the faithful, and the judgment of those left behind on the earth. In the next chapter, Jesus gives two answers. Matthew 24:36-44 NIV “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. God will confound all efforts to predict the day and time. The best authorities add: neither the Son, as in Mark 13:32. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. 43“But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Jesus at that time, did not know the day or hour. This repeats the emphasis of the opening verse of this lesson (v. 36) regarding the unexpected hour of the coming of the Son of Man, thus bringing a nice closure to this lesson. At his second coming he will be clothed in light. By Ted Schroder, www.tedschroder.com November 27, 2016. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Who can fault that! I am ill equipped to assess the validity of rapture-theology, which seems to require an understanding of such exotic subjects as millennialism, dispensationalism, and tribulation. “As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (v. 37). Eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage! Verses 37-38 draws an analogy suggesting that the days of Christ’s return will be rather like the days of Noah when the flood came. 36 ... Well meaning church folk sometimes ponder the utility of engaging in scripture at a meeting. This twofold emphasis is consistent with Jesus’ answer to the lawyer who asked Jesus, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus gave a twofold answer: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. There is no indication that today will be different from yesterday or the day before. Matthew 24:36-44. The phrase “the day or hour,” or even just the phrase “the hour,” simply means the timing. ), The Lectionary Commentary: Theological Exegesis for Sunday’s Text. It was the certainty of the coming, not the timing which motivated this behavior of being ready at any moment. Just before the Flood, people were going about their daily business when disaster came upon them suddenly. Chrysostom…simply denied that Jesus was ignorant of anything” (Allison, 141). Matthew 24:36-44 – The Necessity of Watchfulness Summary The disciple community is cautioned about useless speculation about the signs or the timing of the coming of the Son of Man. This should, of course, have put an end to theological weather forecasting about the timing of the second Advent, but alas, pious curiosity is always given to speculation. Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” a. Our people are focused on seeing a baby. Some of us will die inch-by-inch from disease or old age, but death in the next instant is also possible. The people of Noah’s day were destroyed because of their wickedness, but that is not the analogy here. This reading picks up mid-answer which began in verse 24… M atthew 24 is undoubtedly one of the most encouraging, yet often misunderstood, chapters in the New Testament. Second, Jesus says that feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, and visiting the prisoner are activities that will be credited to us as if we had done them for Christ (25:31-46). Advent is focused on a risen Christ whose return seems long overdue and therefore has trouble competing with the baby, shepherds, Wise Men, Santa, Rudolph, etc. So also Bishop Newton, who observes, “It would seem improper to say, Of that day and hour knoweth no man; for if the day was not known, certainly the hour was not, and it was superfluous to make such an addition. EXEGESIS: MATTHEW 24-25. 42Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.”. The time for preparation was long past. People are engaged in everyday work. “not even the angels of heaven (nor the Son)” (v. 36b). It is not suggesting that the general time frame of Christ’s return can be known in advance, but that the specific day or hour is obscure. We prepare to celebrate the coming of our Savior over two thousand years ago, to remember his life and the Word of God, and to prepare ourselves as faithful Christians for … 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, Get ready and live ready. Matthew 24:36,37 at face value. Only the Father knows such things. I am further concerned about all the divisions (pre-millennialism, post-millennialism, pre-tribulation, post-tribulation, etc.) Concerning Christ's second coming, it is foretold that there shall be a great change, in order to the making all things new. First, from Q, we have a saying of Jesus regarding his coming, v36-41, then the "keep awake" saying from Mark 13:35, then back to Q, the parable of the diligent home owner, v43-44, and the parable of the diligent slave, v45-51. Though our present day rivals Noah's in corruption and evil, this meaning of Matthew 24:36-39 is actually the secondary interpretation. 44Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.”. You May Also Like: If Jesus was God, how could he not know the hour of his return (Mark 13:32)? First, the Parable of the Talents (25:14-30), tells us to use our God-given resources for God’s benefit. More to the point, remembering the story of Noah, there were a host of sinful humans taken away, swept away by the flood, while Noah’s family was “left behind,” safe and sound on board the ark. By Dr. Ken Matto (Mat 24:36 KJV) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36-39. John Oakes, PhD . 33b (Dallas: Word, 1995), Harrington, D.J., Sacra Pagina: Matthew (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1991), Hamm, Dennis, Let the Scriptures Speak, Year A (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2001), Hare, Douglas R. A., Interpretation: Matthew (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1993), Hauerwas, Stanley, Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible: Matthew (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2006), Hultgren, Arland J. Lectionary Bible Studies: The Year of Matthew: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany(Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1977), Johnson, Sherman E. and Buttrick, George A., The Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. ), which the WEB has updated. Jesus does not encourage the latter, whilst he certainly instills in his disciples the “Blessed Hope” that he will return one day to raise the quick and dead, as the creeds affirm. According to the over-all design of the three-year lectionary,1 the Gospel texts for the First Sunday are always apocalyptic, anticipating the Parousia, the second coming of Christ. This is a reminder that ultimately the future is in God’s hands. “Watch (Greek: gregoreite) therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes” (v. 42). The master rewards the faithful slave, whom he finds at work when he comes, but he destroys the unfaithful slave whom he found partying instead of working. Mark 13, Matt. The prudential advice, based on the predictions in verses 36-41, then is that the faithful must stay vigilant and awake, knowing that Christ will return, though the timing remains unknown. It commences the Olivet Discourse or "Little Apocalypse" spoken by Jesus Christ, which continues into chapter 25, and contains Jesus' prediction of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This and similar verses (see Luke 17:34-35; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 5:2-4; Revelation 3:3, 10; 16:15) have given rise to the doctrine of the rapture (from the Latin rapio—seize, carry away)—the belief that, at the Second Coming, the faithful will be immediately taken up to a heavenly reward and the unfaithful left behind to their hellish fate. The sheep are welcomed into the kingdom, but the goats are condemned to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (25:41). 24, Luke 21:5-end..1 ¶ And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. “But no one knows of that day and hour” (v. 36a). Philippians 2:5-11, which speaks of Christ’s emptying himself, helps us to appreciate the reality of the limitations that Christ assumed in the Incarnation. 1. Gregoreite can be translated “keep awake” or “watch” or “be on guard.” We can’t do any of those things in a physical sense 24/7, but our preparation has to do with spiritual rather than physical wakefulness. • His coming will be swift and surprising. “and they didn’t know until the flood came, and took them all away” (v. 39a). Then they became afraid as the water continued to rise. It rather stands by itself, and the particles are descriptive predicates. Matthew 24: 32-51 (3 prophecies) The rest of Matthew 24 contains 3 parables (or prophecies) that start in chronological order but eventually take place at the same time, which is the situation now, during end times. The fault is not that people are doing these things, but that they are so caught up in the routine of daily living that they take no thought for their spiritual lives. 7 (Nashville: Abingdon, 1951), Long, Thomas G., Westminster Bible Companion: Matthew (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997), Morris, Leon, The Gospel According to Matthew (Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1992), Myers, Allen C. Matthew 24:36. We may well ask, “How so?”  Jesus is not returning to send a vast flood upon the earth. However, these (millennialism, etc.) Matthew 24, William Barclay's Daily Study Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, as set of 17 volumes on the New Testament, the result of Barclay's dedicated work The good news is that, if we are living in faith, we have no need to know the day and time. If we focus on readiness, we need not worry about the details. Athanasius suggested that Jesus only feigned ignorance. They will find that the time for preparation is long past. “but my Father only” (v. 36c). It is usual for prophets to speak of things as near and just at hand, to express the greatness and certainty of them. We should probably limit ourselves to the points that Jesus teaches here, namely that: • Christ will come again. Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on Matthew 24:36-44. Even people who work in hazardous occupations (firefighters, police officers, soldiers) find it difficult to imagine their own death. - Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV) Here we are. Matthew 24:36-44 King James Version (KJV). Text: Comments: Signs of Christ's coming. Isaiah’s vision begins with “the mountain of the Lord’s house” (2:2). “until the day that Noah entered into the ship” (v. 38). Browse Sermons on Matthew 24:36-44. The great moment will come to us only once. Jesus is not a thief in the night, but his coming will be as unexpected and unpredictable as the arrival of a thief at night. Again the emphasis is the normalcy of life. Jesus is asked a question by the disciples in verse 24:3. Many people will be surprised at the Second Coming—surprised and unprepared. 40-41). Matthew 24:36-44 - No one knows. One is taken and one is left in place. Matthew 26:36-44, an appropriate text for the first Sunday in Advent, clearly falls in the latter category being a … Continue reading "Commentary on Matthew 24:36-44" Verse 24, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Verse 29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” At the conclusion of our Gospel lesson, Jesus gives three parables that relate directly to our text: • The Parable of the Faithful and the Unfaithful Slaves (24:45-51). 36“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven (some Greek manuscripts add “nor the Son”), but my Father only.”. It is usually argued that both Matthew and Luke at this point are dependent on Q (an early gospel document). Matthew 24:36. Matthew 24:38. ἦσαν with the following participles is not an instance of the periphrastic imperfect. The Gospel readings for the four Sundays in Advent, Year A, follow the pattern for all three years (A, B, and C). A problem with this Gospel lesson is that it calls for readiness without telling us how to get ready. We can tie this to His warnings about becoming caught up in the cares of the world , so that end-time events commence when we are spiritually unprepared ( Matthew 25:13 ; Mark 13:35 ; Luke 12:39-40 ; 21:34 ). Those who heed the warning will receive great blessings; those who do not will be accursed. Once the rain started, there was no opportunity to prepare for what was to follow. “I am only here for the church business,” is what one often hears. We have our work cut out for us if we are to get people to take seriously their preparation for the Second Coming. How can Matthew 24:36 (only the Father knows the day and hour, not even the Son) be true if Jesus was God and omniscient ? Therefore, You Must Be Ready ~ Matthew 24:36-44. To the contrary, the polarity of the saying “two will be in the field, one will be taken one left behind.” Two women will be grinding at the mill, one will be taken, one left behind is just the opposite of the dispensational reading of the text. As carefully as we might read signs, they will not allow us to predict the day and time with any accuracy. I do not know about you, but I have about had it with all the apparently well-meaning Christians who are obsessed with those “do you think we are living in the latter days” questions. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, &c. — I consider ωρα, hour, here, says Grotius, as denoting, not a part of a day, but a larger portion of time. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Matthew 24:36-44 . Our Gospel lesson begins at this point, but is of one cloth with the rest of chapters 24 and 25. They could see him at work, and must have questioned him about it. Psalm 122 is a perfect psalm for the beginning of a new church year on this First Sunday of Advent. Other examples of Jesus’ limited knowledge include his statement, “if it is possible” at Gethsemane (26:39) and his question, “why have you forsaken me?” at the cross (27:46). Bill Wigmore (This sermon was delivered to … The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc. THE CONTEXT. In the days before cell phones (B.C. It isn’t that Noah’s neighbors had no warning. VIII (Nashville: Abingdon, 1995), Borsch, Frederick Houk and Napier, Davie, Proclamation 2, Advent-Christmas, Series A (Fortress Press, 1980), Brueggemann, Walter; Cousar, Charles B.; Gaventa, Beverly R.; and Newsome, James D., Texts for Preaching: A Lectionary Commentary Based on the NRSV—Year A (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995), Bruner, Frederick Dale, Matthew: Volume 2, The Churchbook, Matthew 13-28 (Dallas: Word, 1990), Craddock, Fred B.; Hayes, John H.; Holladay, Carl R.; Tucker, Gene M., Preaching Through the Christian Year, A (Valley Forge: Trinity Press International, 1992), France, R.T., The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2007), Hagner, Donald A., Word Biblical Commentary: Matthew 14-28, Vol. Peri de tes hemeras ekeines kai horas oudeis oiden (3SRAI) oude oi aggeloi ton ouranon oude o huios eis me o pater monos (Mt 24:42,44 Mt 25:13 Zec 14:7 Mk 13:32 Acts 1:7 1Th 5:2, 2Pe 3:10 Rev 3:3 Rev 16:15). Rather, Jesus compares the normalcy of their daily lives with the normalcy that will prevail before the Second Coming. Then they became frantic as everything washed away. Christ did not know the day and hour of His future coming since Matthew 24:37 shows that this is … Matthew 24:36-44 This passage provides a concrete description of the circumstances surrounding Christ's return, emphasizing that His return will be at an unexpected hour. Except, in this instance, it doesn’t! Departed He left it never to return mt2337-9. 38For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, 39and they didn’t know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”. We don’t want to miss it–or to be found wanting. Advent 1 (Year A) Matthew 24:36-44 Context: Jesus is in Jerusalem after the triumphal entry, cleansing of the temple, cursing of the fig tree, and encountering religious leaders. Likewise, even a Christian person who knows Christ will certainly not return in his lifetime may well be tempted to throw caution and his morals to the wind. These four vignettes in Matthew 24 are dramatic and compelling, because they speak about people and unexpected occurrences. What the analogy is meant to convey is in each case, judgment came in the form of an event which caught the unprepared by surprise. That is important. The readings for the first and second Sundays in Advent are taken from the later chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans. “Therefore also be ready” (v. 44a). “For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship” (v. 38). To be properly understood, these verses—and Luke 17:34-36 as well—must be read in context. are not biblical words, and I believe that we are on less than solid ground when we depart from biblical language. The Third Readings: The Gospels (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001), Barclay, William, Gospel of Matthew, Vol. Their problem is not “gross sin” but “secular indifference”—”nonchalance about God” (Bruner, 881). God states emphatically in this verse that no man will ever know the day and hour of the return of Christ. • He will divide people into two groups (taken/left behind). that have arisen from rapture-theology. Matthew 24:36 . A hundred generations have lived and died without experiencing the Second Coming, so it seems unlikely that it will take place during our lifetime. These chapters, therefore, focus on the second question, “What is the sign of your coming?”. Throughout these two chapters, then, the consistent warning is to be prepared for the coming of the master. The unexpected hour is at hand. As Chrysostom, have stressed the importance of readiness for death as well as for the Second Third!: Comments: Signs of Christ 's coming the warning will receive great blessings those. That phrase rest of chapters 24 matthew 24 36-44 meaning 25 “ Ambrose attributed ‘ nor the of... In context to Advent the ship ” ( 2:2 ) of your coming? ” to... Arian interpolation implied also in the next chapter, Jesus gives two answers are biblical. New Testament for Doctoral Studies, a resource for the first and Second Sundays in Advent are taken the. 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