Mat 24:42-43, 25:13, 26:38, 40-41 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 42. Watch . Be looking for his coming. Be expecting it as near; as a great event; as coming in an unexpected manner. Watch the signs of his coming, and be ready. (m) "therefore"

Matthew 24:42-43

Verse 42. Watch. Be looking for his coming. Be expecting it as near; as a great event; as coming in an unexpected manner. Watch the signs of his coming, and be ready.

(m) "therefore" Lk 12:39, Rev 3:3, 16:15 Verse 43. But know this, etc. If a man knew the hour, or about the hour, when a robber would come, he would be ready for him. So you know not the exact hour, but you know it is near, when the Son of man will come. He will come suddenly, as a thief comes, without giving previous warning, 1Thes 5:2, 2Pet 3:10, Rev 3:3, 16:15.

Goodman. Mt 20:11.

Thief. A robber. A thief, with us, means one who takes goods without doing violence --secretly, silently. The original word means one who does it by housebreaking, or by highway violence, Lk 10:30.

Broken up. Broken into--either by the doors or windows.

In what watch. In which of the four quarters of the night. Mt 14:25.

Matthew 25:13

Verse 13. Watch therefore, etc. This is the scope or design of the whole parable. This is the great truth he wished to inculcate, and all parts of the parable are to be interpreted in reference to this admonition. Like the virgins, many are professedly going to meet the Bridegroom--the Lord Jesus Christ. Like the coming of the bridegroom, his advent will be sudden. It will be to many at an unexpected time. Many, even professing Christians, will be engaged the business of the world; thoughtless about eternity; not expecting his approach, and not prepared. They will only profess to know him, but in works they will deny him. So death will come. All approaches of the Son of God to judge men are sudden, and to many unexpected. So many, when they shall see him coming, at death or the judgment, will begin, like the foolish virgins, to be active, and to prepare to die. But it will be too late. They that are ready will enter-in, and heaven will be closed for ever against all others. The coming of the Saviour is certain. The precise time when he will come is not certain. As the virgins should all have watched and been ready, so should we. They who are Christians should be ever watchful; and they who are not should lose no time to be ready; for in such an hour as they think not the Son of man shall come.

The Son of man cometh. This refers, doubtless, to his coming in the day of judgment. The circumstances of the parable do not seem at all to apply to his coming to destroy Jerusalem, but are aptly expressive of his advent to judge the world.

(h) "therefore" Mt 24:42,44, Mk 13:33,35, Lk 21:36

Matthew 26:38

Verse 38. My soul is exceeding sorrowful. His human nature-his soul- -was much and deeply affected and pressed down.

Even unto death. This denotes extreme sorrow and agony. The sufferings of death are the greatest of which we have any knowledge; they are the most feared and dreaded by man; and those sufferings are, therefore, put for extreme and indescribable anguish. The meaning may be thus expressed: My sorrows are so great, that under their burden I am ready to die; such is the anxiety of mind, that I seem to bear the pains of death!

Tarry ye here, and watch with me. The word rendered watch, means, literally, to abstain from sleep; then to be vigilant--to guard against danger. Here it seems to mean, to sympathize with him; to unite with him in seeking Divine support; and to prepare themselves for approaching dangers.

(h) "My soul" Ps 116:3, Is 53:3,10, Jn 12:27

Matthew 26:40-41

Verse 40. And findeth them asleep. It may seem remarkable that, in such circumstances, with a suffering, pleading Redeemer near, surrounded by danger, and having received a special charge to watch, i.e., not to sleep, they should so soon have fallen asleep. It is frequently supposed that this was proof of wonderful stupidity, and indifference to their Lard's sufferings. The truth is, however, that it was just the reverse; it was proof of their great attachment, and their deep sympathy in his sorrows. Luke has added, that he found them sleeping FOR SORROW. That is, on account of their sorrow: their grief was so great that they naturally fell asleep. Multitudes of facts might be brought to show that is in accordance with the regular effects of grief: Dr. Bush says, "There is another symptom of grief, which is not often noticed, and that is profound sleep. I have often witnessed it even in mothers, immediately after the death of a child. Criminals; we are told by Mr. Akerman, the keeper of Newgate in London, often sleep soundly the night before their execution. The son of General Custine slept nine hours the night before he was led to the guillotine in Paris." Diseases of the Mind, p. 319.

Saith unto Peter, etc. This reproof was administered to Peter particularly, in account of his warm professions, his rash zeal, and his self-confidence. If he could not keep awake and watch with the Saviour for one hour, how little probability was there that he would adhere to him in all the trials through which he was soon to pass! Verse 41. Watch. See Mt 26:38. Greater trials are coming on. It is necessary, therefore, still to be on your guard.

And pray. Seek aid from God by supplication in view of the thickening calamities.

That ye enter not into temptation. That ye be not overcome and oppressed with these trials of your faith, so as to deny me. The word temptation here properly means, what would try their faith in the approaching calamities his rejection and death. It would try their faith, because though they supposed he was the Messiah, they were not very clearly aware of the necessity of his death; they did not fully understand that he was to rise again. They had cherished the belief that he was to establish a kingdom while he lived. When they should see him, therefore rejected, tried, crucified, dead; when they should see him submit to all this, as if he had not power to deliver himself, then would be the trial of their faith; and in view of it, he exhorted them to pray that they might not so enter temptation as to be overcome by it, and fall.

The spirit indeed is willing, etc. The mind, the disposition is ready, and disposed to bear these trials; but the flesh, the natural feelings, through the fear of danger, is weak, and will be likely to lead you astray when the trial comes. Though you may have strong faith, and believe now that you will not deny me, yet human nature is weak, shrinks at trials, and you should, therefore seek strength from on high. This was not intended for an apology for their sleeping, but to excite them, notwithstanding he knew that they loved him, to be on guard, lest the weakness of human nature should be insufficient to sustain them in the hour of their temptation.

(m) "Watch" Mk 13:33, 14:38, Lk 22:40, Eph 6:18, Rev 16:15 (n) "ye enter" Prov 4:14,15 (o) "into temptation" Rev 3:10 (p) "spirit indeed" Isa 26:8,9, Rom 7:18-25, Gal 5:17