The event and the time. Having unfolded to the disciples the manner and circumstances of the two great events respecting which they had inquired, our Lord now proceeds to speak more particularly of their certainty and of the time of their occurrence. I. THE EVENT OF THE JUDGMENT IS CERTAIN . 1 . This is asserted under a simile. ( Matthew 24:32-35 .) 2 . The assertion is repeated in the comment. II. THE TIME OF THAT EVENT IS NOT WHOLLY ... read more
As the days of Noe were. In citing this example, the Lord has special reference to the fact that the warning then given was not heeded ( Genesis 6:3 ). If, as seems probable, the antediluvians had more than a century's warning of the coming flood, it can hardly be only the suddenness of the calamity to which Christ would point ( 1 Peter 3:20 ). He has used the illustration elsewhere ( Luke 17:26 , Luke 17:27 ), where also the destruction of Sodom is adduced as a type of the last day.... read more
They were eating, etc. The Lord describes the reckless way in which men went on their usual course, pursued their pleasures and avocations, with the doom. hanging over them, in spite of the warning given. The word for "eating" ( τρω ì γοντες ) implies the idea of gnawing food greedily like an animal, hence eating gluttonously. They had learned to drink to excess long before Lot's time ( Genesis 9:20 , Genesis 9:21 ). The periphrastic form of expression, ἦσαν τρω ì γοντες ... read more
Knew not. They would not comprehend the signs of the coming judgment, or, at any rate, refused to profit by them, preferring their own carnal pleasures to the care of their souls and the amendment of their lives. The Lord assures us that similar recklessness and unbelief will be found at his coming. Doubtless anguish and fear will fill many hearts, but the general feeling will be incredulity, and a false security which refuses to take warning. Sadler compares it to Belshazzar's feast at the... read more
Noe - The Greek way of writing “Noah.” See Gen. 6–9. The coming of the Son of man would be as it was in the days of Noah:In its being sudden and unexpected, the “precise time” not being made known, though the “general” indications had been given. The world would be found as it was then. read more
For as in the days ... - The things mentioned here denote attention to the affairs of this life rather than to what was coming on them. It does not mean that these things were wrong, but only that such was their actual employment, and that they were regardless of what was coming upon them. read more
They knew not - That is, they knew not the exact time until it came upon them. So, says he, it shall be when the Son of man shall come. They shall not know “the precise time” until he comes, and then they will be found engaged in the ordinary business of life unconcerned. 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
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:29-51
The end of the world. I. ITS CIRCUMSTANCES . 1 . The heavens. The Lord had been glancing onwards into the future. There would be wrath upon the chosen people; it would last long; they would be led away captive into all nations. Jerusalem would be trodden down of the Gentiles; it would lie desolate long—even "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" ( Luke 21:23 , Luke 21:24 ). The tribulation of those days is not yet ended; still Jerusalem is lying waste; still her... read more