Matthew 24:37-51
Summary for Matt 24:37-25:46: 24:37–25:46 a Jesus now applied his predictions (24:1-36 b) to his followers so they will be faithful and prepared for his second coming.Summary for Matt 24:37-41: 24:37-41 c Jesus’ second coming, like the flood (Gen 7 d), will come upon people unawares. The only adequate preparation is a life of consistent vigilance and obedience (cp. Luke 17:26-27 e, 34-35 f). 24:37 g When the Son of Man returns: Jesus’ second coming (see 24:3 h; cp. Luke 17:26 i).
• in Noah’s day (see Gen 6:9-22 j; 2 Pet 2:5 k; 3:5-6 l): The comparison here does not concern the magnitude of sins, but a lack of discernment about what God is doing, accompanied by a preoccupation with life’s festivities (Matt 6:19-34 m).
Summary for Matt 24:40-41: 24:40-41 n The term taken most likely means taken in judgment, at AD 70 or at the end of history; left would then mean remaining to enter the new era of either the church (see 21:43 o; 22:1-14 p) or the Millennium.
24:42 q To keep watch is to maintain active, energetic, single-minded obedience to the Lord (see 25:13 r; 26:38-41 s).
Summary for Matt 24:45-51: 24:45-51 t This parable and the three that follow (25:1-13 u, 14-30 v, 31-46 w) each dramatize the need for faithful obedience during the delay of Jesus’ second coming. 24:45 x servant: It is possible that Jesus’ listeners would have thought of God’s special servants, the prophets and lawgivers; however, Jesus so frequently used servant figuratively that it is more likely a description of every disciple’s responsibility (see 10:24-25 y; 13:27-28 z; 18:23-35 aa; 20:26 ab).
Matthew 25:1-30
Summary for Matt 25:1-13: 25:1-13 ac This parable reinforces the need for individuals to be watchful and to prepare for the return of Christ (25:13 ad; see also Luke 12:35-36 ae). 25:1 af To meet the bridegroom is an image for the coming of the Messiah (see Mark 2:19-20 ag).• Details of wedding customs during the period are not known. Some think that the bride was led to the home of the bridegroom, who would stay away until the time appointed for the wedding feast. The bridesmaids, who had already escorted the bride to the groom’s home, would then wait for news of his arrival and escort him to the feast (Matt 25:10 ah). Others think the groom may have come late in the night to the bride’s home, where he was announced. Then, after celebrating with the bride’s guests, the groom would take his bride under torches or lamps to his home.
25:3 ai While some have speculated that the oil symbolizes something specific (such as the Holy Spirit), it probably merely supports the point that proper preparation for the second coming of Christ is needed.
25:5 aj Both the prudent and the foolish bridesmaids sleep while waiting. The parable criticizes only the foolish bridesmaids’ failure to bring enough oil.
25:6 ak The arrival of the bridegroom at midnight while the bridesmaids slept further highlights the fact that the second coming of Jesus will come suddenly, at a time that no one can anticipate (24:42-51 al).
Summary for Matt 25:14-30: 25:14-30 am This parable teaches that the Lord expects his servants to be faithful to the task given to them while waiting for his return. The delay of Christ’s return will cause some to turn to evil deeds (24:48-49 an), some to inactivity (25:3 ao), and some to fearful passivity (25:18 ap).
25:19 aq After a long time: This highlights the long delay of Christ’s return (24:45-51 ar).
25:21 as See Matt 24:45-51 at; Luke 16:10 au.
• Let’s celebrate together is a metaphor for the Father’s approval and perhaps for the messianic banquet (see Matt 6:1 av, 4 aw, 6 ax, 18 ay; 9:9-17 az).
25:24 ba I knew you were ... harsh: A false understanding of his master becomes this servant’s excuse for laziness.
25:29 bb God gives abundant grace to those who are faithful with what they have already been given (see 13:12 bc).
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