Matthew 24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:26

If they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert - Is it not worthy of remark that our Lord not only foretold the appearance of these impostors, but also the manner and circumstances of their conduct? Some he mentions as appearing in the desert. Josephus says, Ant. b. xx. c. 7, and War, book ii. c. 13: That many impostors and cheats persuaded the people to follow them to the desert, promising to show them signs and wonders done by the providence of God, is well attested. An Egyptian... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:27

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west - It is worthy of remark that our Lord, in the most particular manner, points out the very march of the Roman army: they entered into Judea on the East, and carried on their conquest Westward, as if not only the extensiveness of the ruin, but the very route which the army would take, were intended in the comparison of the lightning issuing from the east, and shining to the west. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:28

For wheresoever the carcass is - Πτωμα , the dead carcass. The Jewish nation, which was morally and judicially dead. There will the eagles - The Roman armies, called so partly from their strength and fierceness, and partly from the figure of these animals which was always wrought on their ensigns, or even in brass, placed on the tops of their ensign-staves. It is remarkable that the Roman fury pursued these wretched men wheresoever they were found. They were a dead carcass doomed to be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:29

Immediately after the tribulation, etc. - Commentators generally understand this, and what follows, of the end of the world and Christ's coming to judgment: but the word immediately shows that our Lord is not speaking of any distant event, but of something immediately consequent on calamities already predicted: and that must be the destruction of Jerusalem. "The Jewish heaven shall perish, and the sun and moon of its glory and happiness shall be darkened - brought to nothing. The sun is the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:30

Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man - The plain meaning of this is, that the destruction of Jerusalem will be such a remarkable instance of Divine vengeance, such a signal manifestation of Christ's power and glory, that all the Jewish tribes shall mourn, and many will, in consequence of this manifestation of God, be led to acknowledge Christ and his religion. By της γης , of the land, in the text, is evidently meant here, as in several other places, the land of Judea and its... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:31

He shall send his angels - Τους αγγελους , his messengers, the apostles, and their successors in the Christian ministry. With a great sound of a trumpet - Or, a loud-sounding trumpet - the earnest affectionate call of the Gospel of peace, life, and salvation. Shall gather together his elect - The Gentiles, who were now chosen or elected, in place of the rebellious, obstinate Jews, according to Our Lord's prediction, Matthew 8:11 , Matthew 8:12 , and Luke 13:28 , Luke 13:29 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:32

Learn a parable of the fig-tree - That is, These signs which I have given you will be as infallible a proof of the approaching ruin of the Jewish state as the budding of the trees is a proof of the coming summer. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:34

This generation shall not pass - Η γενεα αυτη , this race; i.e. the Jews shall not cease from being a distinct people, till all the counsels of God relative to them and the Gentiles be fulfilled. Some translate η γενεα αυτη , this generation, meaning the persons who were then living, that they should not die before these signs, etc., took place: but though this was true, as to the calamities that fell upon the Jews, and the destruction of their government, temple, etc., yet as our Lord... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:36

But of that day and hour - Ωρα , here, is translated season by many eminent critics, and is used in this sense by both sacred and profane authors. As the day was not known, in which Jerusalem should be invested by the Romans, therefore our Lord advised his disciples to pray that it might not be on a Sabbath; and as the season was not known, therefore they were to pray that it might not be in the winter; Matthew 24:20 . See on Mark 13:32 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:37-38

As the days of Noah - they were eating and drinking - That is, they spent their time in rapine, luxury, and riot. The design of these verses seems to be, that the desolation should be as general as it should be unexpected. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:27

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:28

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:29

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:30

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:31

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:34

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:36

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:37-38

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