24:36-44 - Introduction to the second coming
24:45-51 - The parable of the two servants
25:1-13 - The parable of the ten virgins
25:14-30 - The parable of the talents
25:31-46 - A description of the final judgment
24:45-51 - The parable of the two servants
25:1-13 - The parable of the ten virgins
25:14-30 - The parable of the talents
25:31-46 - A description of the final judgment
Today I will cover Matthew 24:36–51. In all three of these parables, there is a theme of delay, of a longer wait than expected. In the first parable, the wicked servant misuses this delay to abuse his position. In the next parable, the bridegroom’s arrival is delayed, so ten virgins fall asleep. The wise virgins prepare for a longer wait before they sleep. In the next parable, the master goes off to a far country and after a long time returns.
It was natural for his disciples to expect an immediate consummation. That was what many people expected from the Messiah’s first coming. When Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple, the disciples figured that such a dramatic event must be connected with his coming and the end of the age. But Jesus prepared them and all the church to continue to live in expectation of his coming, even though the time be longer than expected. They would need to stay awake.
In other words, Jesus is teaching you to not be like the Israelites, who went astray as soon as Moses stayed on the mountain longer than expected. Just because his coming did not happen right away does not mean it will not happen. This apparent delay is not an excuse to be negligent. For when the end comes, it will have consequences for everyone who has ever lived. Jesus wants his disciples to serve him faithfully with endurance and to occupy until he comes. Jesus will return, and you do not know when. So serve him with faithfulness and endurance.
1. We do not know the day and hour of Christ’s coming and the end of the age.
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
As I argued in my previous post, this verse signals a change of topic to the second part of their question, regarding his coming (parousia) and the end of the age.
Regarding “these things” (24:34, Jerusalem’s desolation), Jesus knew when it would happen and gave both the timing (in that generation) and several signs, including one in particular that would indicate when it would be imminent (the abomination of desolation). But with regard to “that day and hour” (24:36) no one knew when it would take place, not even the angels or the Son, only the Father. The Father kept to himself the timing of the day and hour of Christ’s return and the end of the age.
How did even the Son not know? There is mystery here in the interaction of Christ’s two natures, but we know as a human he grew in knowledge. At this point, before his exaltation, he did not know this, at least according to his human nature and his messianic office. He did not need to reveal it to his disciples.
We are told in general terms things that happen between Christ’s first and second comings. In fact, the disciples knew that Jesus would not come back before the desolation of Jerusalem. They knew that the parables of the spread of the kingdom would need to be fulfilled before he returned. The duty of watchfulness in this passage is not incompatible with believing that there are prophecies to be fulfilled before his return. But while they had some clues as to when the coming would not be, they were given no signs of when his coming would be. They were given no timing, no sign, no calculations, only the certainty that it would come in the end. That was the important thing.
Therefore, do not try to calculate the time of Christ’s return, and do not pay attention to those who do. God has revealed to us those things which are needful and helpful to know, and he has not revealed to us the time of Christ’s return.
Jesus wanted his disciples to look for the signs of Jerusalem’s fall, but not for signs of his return. The disciples could escape the fall of Jerusalem, but you will not be able to escape his second coming, nor will you want to.
Instead, Jesus wants you to hope for his return and to live your life in expectation of that day, whenever it happens. It has the same significance to every generation of Christians, for whenever it happens, we will all be there. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time to escape the judgment which is to come.
2. It will be a day and hour that will suddenly divide mankind.
In verses 37-44, Jesus expands on what that day will be like and how to live in preparation for it. The second coming of Jesus will interrupt daily life, dividing those who intermingled in society.
Jesus compares his coming (parousia) to the day of Noah (Matt. 24:37-39). His coming is the day of the final judgment for all, the living and the dead.
Like Noah’s flood, Christ’s coming will make a division: one will be taken and one left (Matt. 24:40-41). Some people use this reference to one being taken and one left to support a rapture of believers, with unbelievers being “left behind” for tribulation. But consider a few things:
1. The tribulation earlier in the chapter referred to tribulation in Judea which culminated in the destruction of the temple in AD 70. There is no tribulation mentioned after this taking and leaving. This taking and leaving occurs on that day and hour of Christ’s coming and the end of the age. In the Bible, the second coming of Christ, the end of the age, the resurrection, and the final judgment are all the same event.
2. It is not immediately clear whether the person who is taken or the person who is left is saved. What is clear that one of them is saved while the other is not. Their destinies are different.
3. It becomes more clear who is who when the immediate context is examined. Christ’s coming is compared to the flood, and in the flood, the wicked were the ones swept away (v. 39) while Noah and his family inherited the new earth.
4. Look more broadly at the context of Matthew. In the interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the weeds, it is the lawbreakers who are gathered "out of his kingdom" and thrown into the fiery furnace while the righteous remain in the kingdom (13:41-43). As Jesus said in chapter 5, the meek will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5).
So when it says one will be taken and the other left, the one taken is taken away to judgment, while the one left is left to inherit the perfected kingdom. The main point is that mankind will be separated on that day. Jesus will come and judge the living and the dead. Those who worked in the same field, who ground at the same mill, who were partners in things of this life, will be separated on the basis of their relation to Jesus Christ. Did they repent and follow him, or did they ignore him?
Therefore, stay awake, like a man prepared for a thief in the night (Matt. 24:42-44). Staying awake is a metaphor for being prepared, casting off the works of darkness and false security, and following the Lord. Again, now is the time to prepare for that final day.
Do not be soothed into apathy by the regularity of life, but live in light of the coming day. Do not be like the scoffers recounted in 2 Peter who say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” They deliberately overlook creation and the flood. Judgment day is coming.
Make that coming day a delight by being ready. Repent and follow Jesus, placing your faith in him. Confess him before men. In this way, you might look with hopeful expectation for that day, a day on which you will be openly acknowledged and acquitted and blessed.
3. The parable of the two servants
What does readiness look like? It does not look like sitting at the window, looking at the clouds. It does not mean giving up on long term projects and expectations. It means being like the wise and faithful servant who fulfills his calling and serves his Master.
In verses 45-51, Jesus tells the parable of the two servants. The wise and faithful servant is found fulfilling his calling. He is rewarded with a greater position. But the wicked servant abuses his position when his master delays, beats his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards. He is caught in the act, cut into pieces, and put with the hypocrites in a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In Luke’s gospel, this parable is part of a more extended parable, with this part portraying the apostles in particular, with their greater responsibilities in the church as stewards of the house, to manage and feed (12:35-48). This is how the ministers and elders of the church are described in the New Testament (Titus 1:7, 1 Cor. 4:1-2, 1 Tim. 3:4-5, 2 Tim. 2:24). In fact, the faithful and wise servant seems similar to the “scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew 13 who is compared to “a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old” (Matt. 13:51-52). Having understood the gospel, they were to bring out of the treasury of Scripture the teachings of the old and new testaments provide for the household of faith.
The officers of Christ’s church must be wise and faithful in fulfilling their charge in Jesus’ house. They must use their position to manage the household well, giving each their food at the proper time. Ministers of the gospel are to feed Christ's sheep, teaching, encouraging, admonishing, administering word, sacrament, and discipline, for edification and maturity. They must not use their position to treat others harshly, to serve themselves, or to live without self-control and encourage others to do so. They must remember that Jesus cares for his house and loves his servants.
This parable also had a broad application to every Christian. Everyone is called to be a wise and faithful servant in God’s kingdom. Through the mediation of Christ, God is pleased to accept and reward sincere service from Christ's disciples. Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Promote the well-being of the household of God and your fellow servants. Blessed are those who have followed Jesus to the end. They will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Cursed are those hypocrites who do not. They will suffer God’s wrath and be cast into hell, a place of agony and exclusion.
Conclusion
In other words, Jesus is teaching you to not be like the Israelites, who went astray as soon as Moses stayed on the mountain longer than expected. Just because his coming did not happen right away does not mean it will not happen. This apparent delay is not an excuse to be negligent. For when the end comes, it will have consequences for everyone who has ever lived. Jesus wants his disciples to serve him faithfully with endurance and to occupy until he comes. Jesus will return, and you do not know when. So serve him with faithfulness and endurance.
1. We do not know the day and hour of Christ’s coming and the end of the age.
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
As I argued in my previous post, this verse signals a change of topic to the second part of their question, regarding his coming (parousia) and the end of the age.
Regarding “these things” (24:34, Jerusalem’s desolation), Jesus knew when it would happen and gave both the timing (in that generation) and several signs, including one in particular that would indicate when it would be imminent (the abomination of desolation). But with regard to “that day and hour” (24:36) no one knew when it would take place, not even the angels or the Son, only the Father. The Father kept to himself the timing of the day and hour of Christ’s return and the end of the age.
How did even the Son not know? There is mystery here in the interaction of Christ’s two natures, but we know as a human he grew in knowledge. At this point, before his exaltation, he did not know this, at least according to his human nature and his messianic office. He did not need to reveal it to his disciples.
We are told in general terms things that happen between Christ’s first and second comings. In fact, the disciples knew that Jesus would not come back before the desolation of Jerusalem. They knew that the parables of the spread of the kingdom would need to be fulfilled before he returned. The duty of watchfulness in this passage is not incompatible with believing that there are prophecies to be fulfilled before his return. But while they had some clues as to when the coming would not be, they were given no signs of when his coming would be. They were given no timing, no sign, no calculations, only the certainty that it would come in the end. That was the important thing.
Therefore, do not try to calculate the time of Christ’s return, and do not pay attention to those who do. God has revealed to us those things which are needful and helpful to know, and he has not revealed to us the time of Christ’s return.
Jesus wanted his disciples to look for the signs of Jerusalem’s fall, but not for signs of his return. The disciples could escape the fall of Jerusalem, but you will not be able to escape his second coming, nor will you want to.
Instead, Jesus wants you to hope for his return and to live your life in expectation of that day, whenever it happens. It has the same significance to every generation of Christians, for whenever it happens, we will all be there. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time to escape the judgment which is to come.
2. It will be a day and hour that will suddenly divide mankind.
In verses 37-44, Jesus expands on what that day will be like and how to live in preparation for it. The second coming of Jesus will interrupt daily life, dividing those who intermingled in society.
Jesus compares his coming (parousia) to the day of Noah (Matt. 24:37-39). His coming is the day of the final judgment for all, the living and the dead.
Not that his coming is similar in all respects to the days of Noah. Verses 38-39 specify in what they they are similar. It will be similar in the fact that normal life continued until that day came without warning. The only warning was God’s word, telling Noah it would come. It did not come immediately, but when it came, it came suddenly. Those who were judged were caught by surprise and swept away. The only ones left were the ones who had trusted God’s word, built the ark, and entered it, despite no earthly indication that such a drastic judgment was coming.
Like Noah’s flood, Christ’s coming will make a division: one will be taken and one left (Matt. 24:40-41). Some people use this reference to one being taken and one left to support a rapture of believers, with unbelievers being “left behind” for tribulation. But consider a few things:
1. The tribulation earlier in the chapter referred to tribulation in Judea which culminated in the destruction of the temple in AD 70. There is no tribulation mentioned after this taking and leaving. This taking and leaving occurs on that day and hour of Christ’s coming and the end of the age. In the Bible, the second coming of Christ, the end of the age, the resurrection, and the final judgment are all the same event.
2. It is not immediately clear whether the person who is taken or the person who is left is saved. What is clear that one of them is saved while the other is not. Their destinies are different.
3. It becomes more clear who is who when the immediate context is examined. Christ’s coming is compared to the flood, and in the flood, the wicked were the ones swept away (v. 39) while Noah and his family inherited the new earth.
4. Look more broadly at the context of Matthew. In the interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the weeds, it is the lawbreakers who are gathered "out of his kingdom" and thrown into the fiery furnace while the righteous remain in the kingdom (13:41-43). As Jesus said in chapter 5, the meek will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5).
So when it says one will be taken and the other left, the one taken is taken away to judgment, while the one left is left to inherit the perfected kingdom. The main point is that mankind will be separated on that day. Jesus will come and judge the living and the dead. Those who worked in the same field, who ground at the same mill, who were partners in things of this life, will be separated on the basis of their relation to Jesus Christ. Did they repent and follow him, or did they ignore him?
Therefore, stay awake, like a man prepared for a thief in the night (Matt. 24:42-44). Staying awake is a metaphor for being prepared, casting off the works of darkness and false security, and following the Lord. Again, now is the time to prepare for that final day.
Do not be soothed into apathy by the regularity of life, but live in light of the coming day. Do not be like the scoffers recounted in 2 Peter who say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” They deliberately overlook creation and the flood. Judgment day is coming.
Make that coming day a delight by being ready. Repent and follow Jesus, placing your faith in him. Confess him before men. In this way, you might look with hopeful expectation for that day, a day on which you will be openly acknowledged and acquitted and blessed.
3. The parable of the two servants
What does readiness look like? It does not look like sitting at the window, looking at the clouds. It does not mean giving up on long term projects and expectations. It means being like the wise and faithful servant who fulfills his calling and serves his Master.
In verses 45-51, Jesus tells the parable of the two servants. The wise and faithful servant is found fulfilling his calling. He is rewarded with a greater position. But the wicked servant abuses his position when his master delays, beats his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards. He is caught in the act, cut into pieces, and put with the hypocrites in a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In Luke’s gospel, this parable is part of a more extended parable, with this part portraying the apostles in particular, with their greater responsibilities in the church as stewards of the house, to manage and feed (12:35-48). This is how the ministers and elders of the church are described in the New Testament (Titus 1:7, 1 Cor. 4:1-2, 1 Tim. 3:4-5, 2 Tim. 2:24). In fact, the faithful and wise servant seems similar to the “scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew 13 who is compared to “a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old” (Matt. 13:51-52). Having understood the gospel, they were to bring out of the treasury of Scripture the teachings of the old and new testaments provide for the household of faith.
The officers of Christ’s church must be wise and faithful in fulfilling their charge in Jesus’ house. They must use their position to manage the household well, giving each their food at the proper time. Ministers of the gospel are to feed Christ's sheep, teaching, encouraging, admonishing, administering word, sacrament, and discipline, for edification and maturity. They must not use their position to treat others harshly, to serve themselves, or to live without self-control and encourage others to do so. They must remember that Jesus cares for his house and loves his servants.
This parable also had a broad application to every Christian. Everyone is called to be a wise and faithful servant in God’s kingdom. Through the mediation of Christ, God is pleased to accept and reward sincere service from Christ's disciples. Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Promote the well-being of the household of God and your fellow servants. Blessed are those who have followed Jesus to the end. They will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Cursed are those hypocrites who do not. They will suffer God’s wrath and be cast into hell, a place of agony and exclusion.
Conclusion
Jesus will return, and you do not know when. So serve him with faithfulness and endurance. The one who endures to the end will be saved. Keep that day and hour of Christ’s return before you. It is your blessed hope, a day of glory. Live in expectation of it. Be ready for it, faithfully serving the Lord until he comes.
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