Then shall two be in the field ... - The calamity will come suddenly. There will be no escape for those whom it overtakes.One shall be taken - The word “taken” may mean either to be taken away from the danger - that is, rescued, as Lot was Luke 17:28-29, or to be taken away “by death.” Probably the latter is the meaning. read more
Matthew 24:37-41. But as the days of Noe were, &c. As then they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, till they were surprised by the flood, notwithstanding the frequent warnings and admonitions of that preacher of righteousness: so now, they shall be engaged in the business and pleasures of the world, little expecting, little thinking of this universal ruin, till it come upon them, notwithstanding the express predictions and declarations of Christ and his apostles.... read more
132. A warning to be alert always (Matthew 24:32-51; Mark 13:28-37; Luke 21:29-38)Just as the first leaves on a fig tree indicate that summer is coming, so when the disciples see the false messiahs, the persecution and the approach of the Roman armies, they will know that the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation is upon them. People of Jesus’ day would see the fulfilment of these things in their own lifetime (Matthew 24:32-35; Luke 21:29-33).As for the day when the Son of man will... read more
the one shall be taken, &c. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 , 1 Thessalonians 4:16 refers to this, for it is the same parousia. shall = is. So in Matthew 24:41 . taken = taken to one's side, in peace and for blessing, as in Matthew 1:20 , Matthew 1:24 ; Matthew 17:1 .Luke 9:10 ; Luke 18:31 ; John 14:3 ("receive"). left. For judgment; as in Matthew 13:30 ("let"); Matthew 15:14 ("let alone"); Matthew 19:27 , Matthew 19:29 ("forsaken"); Matthew 23:38 ; Matthew 26:56 , &c. read more
Matthew 24:40-41. Then shall two be in the field, &c.— Providence will then make a distinction between such as are not at all distinguished now. Some shall be rescued from the destruction of Jerusalem, like Lot out of the burning of Sodom; while others, no ways perhaps different in outward circumstances, shall be left to perish in it. See Bishop Newton's Dissertations, and Luke 17:31. Dr. Doddridge is of opinion, that the grand transition from the description of the destruction of Jerusalem... read more
The importance of vigilance 24:32-44Jesus told His disciples four parables advocating vigilance in view of the time of His return. These stories were illustrations of His main points in the Olivet Discourse. read more
The parables of one taken and one left behind 24:40-41 (cf. Luke 17:34-35)Having explained the importance of the signs leading up to His return and the responses to those signs, Jesus next explained the respective consequences of the two responses.Many Christians who have read these verses have assumed that they describe believers taken to heaven at the Rapture and unbelievers left behind to enter the Tribulation. However the context is dealing with the second coming of Christ, not the Rapture.... read more
The Destruction of Jerusalem and the End of the World Foretold1. Jesus went out] RV ’Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way, and his disciples,’ etc.The buildings] The magnificent buildings, a mass of marble and gold, were not yet finished (see John 2:20). The rabbis said, ’He who has not seen the temple of Herod, has never seen a beautiful building. The sanctuary was made of green and white marble... Herod intended to have the building covered with gold, but the rabbis... read more
(40) The one shall be taken.—Literally, the present tense being used to express the certainty of the future, one is taken, and one is left. The form of the expression is somewhat obscure, and leaves it uncertain which of the two alternatives is the portion of the chosen ones. Is the man who is “taken” received into fellowship with Christ, while the other is abandoned? or is he carried away as by the storm of judgment, while the other is set free? On the whole, the use of the Greek word in other... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:40-41
One taken, and another left. What our Lord here somewhat obscurely applies to the time of the coming judgment is clearly seen in all ages and in every family where death is plying his erratic craft. I. THE DISTINCTION . There are the greatest possible variations in providence. God does not follow any regimental orders. The ages do not march with the measured tramp of drilled battalions. Families are broken up. Aged men are left, while young men are snatched away. Bad people flourish... read more