Matthew 24:37-41

His Coming, Of Which He does Not Know The Time, Will be Sudden and Unexpected (24:37-41).

Just as in the days of Noah the coming of the flood was sudden and unexpected, so also will be the coming of ‘the Son of Man', that is, of ‘their Lord'. They are therefore to keep on the watch because they do not know the day on which He will come.

Analysis.

a “And as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man” (Matthew 24:37).

b “For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark” (Matthew 24:38).

c “And they did not know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man” (Matthew 24:39).

b “Then will two men be in the field; one is taken, and one is left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left” (Matthew 24:40).

a “Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord comes” (Matthew 24:42).

Note that in ‘a' reference is made to the coming of the Son of Man, and in the parable reference is made to the coming of the Lord. In ‘b' the course of life in the days of Noah is described, and in the parallel the course of life in the coming days is described. Both have in mind provision of food and the fact of married couples (two men, two women). Centrally in ‘c' comes the climax, first for Noah and then for the Son of Man.