Matthew 24:1._And Jesus went out. _The disciples undoubtedly perceived that Christ was paying, as it were, his last adieu to the temple. It remained, therefor that he should erect a new _temple _far more magnificent, and that he should produce a more flourishing condition of the kingdom, as had been... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Verily I say to you. _As the vast size and wealth of _the temple, _like a veil hung before the eyes of the disciples, did not permit them to elevate their faith to the true reign of Christ, which was still future, so he affirms with an oath, that those things which occupy their attention will qui... [ Continue Reading ]
3._And while he was sitting. _Mark mentions four disciples, _Peter, James, John, and Andrew _But neither he nor Luke states the matter so fully as Matthew; for they only say that the disciples inquired about the time of the destruction of _the temple, _and — as it was a thing difficult to be believe... [ Continue Reading ]
4._And Jesus answering said to them. _They received an answer very different from what they had expected; for whereas they were eager for a triumph, as if they had already finished their warfare, Christ exhorts them to long patience. As if he had said, “You wish to seize the prize at the very outset... [ Continue Reading ]
5._For many shall come in my name. _He does not as yet speak generally of false and perverse doctrines, but refers to one class which was sort of introduction to all errors, by which Satan has attempted, in various ways, to corrupt the pure doctrine of the Gospel. For shortly after Christ’s resurrec... [ Continue Reading ]
6_For you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. _He describes here those commotions only which arose in Judea, for we shall find him soon afterwards saying that the flame will spread much wider. As he had formerly enjoined them to _beware lest any man deceived them, _so now he bids them meet with co... [ Continue Reading ]
8._But all these things are the beginnings of sorrows. _Not that believers, who always have abundant consolations in calamities, should consume themselves with grief, but that they should lay their account with a long exercise of patience. Luke adds likewise _earthquakes, and signs from heaven, _wit... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 24:9._Then will they deliver you up to be afflicted. _Christ now foretells to the disciples another kind of temptation, by which, in addition to ordinary afflictions, their faith must be tried; and that is, that they _will be hated _and detested _by the whole world. _It is painful and distre... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 24:10._Then will many be offended. _He now enumerates the temptations which will arise from bad examples. Now this is an exceedingly violent temptation, and difficult to overcome; for Christ is to many _a stone of offense, _(1 Peter 2:8,) on which some dash themselves, or by meeting which so... [ Continue Reading ]
11._And many false prophets will arise. _This warning differs from the former, in which Christ foretold that _many would come in his name. _For there he spoke only of impostors, who, shortly after the commencement of the Gospel, gave out that they were _the Christ; _but now he threatens that in all... [ Continue Reading ]
12_Because iniquity will abound. _How far and wide this evil extends every person ought to know, but there are very few who observe it. For in consequence of the superior clearness with which the light of the gospel discovers the malice of men, even good and properly regulated minds _grow cool, _and... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world. _Our Lord, having delivered a discourse which gave no small occasion for sorrow, seasonably adds this consolation, to raise up minds that were cast down, or to uphold those which were falling. Whatever may be the contriva... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 24:15._When you shall see the abomination of desolation. _Because the destruction of the temple and city of Jerusalem, together with the overthrow of the whole Jewish government, was (as we have already said) a thing incredible, and because it might be thought strange, that the disciples cou... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains. _Having shown by the testimony of the prophet that, when the temple had been profaned, the services of the Law would soon afterwards be abolished, he adds, that fearful and appalling calamities will soon overtake the whole of _Judeea, _so tha... [ Continue Reading ]
21_For there will then be great tribulation. _Luke says also, that there will be _days of vengeance, and of wrath on that people, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. _For since _the people, _through obstinate malice, had then broken the covenant of God, it was proper that alarming ch... [ Continue Reading ]
22_And unless those days had been shortened. _He presents an appalling view of those calamities, but at the same time mingles it with this consolation, that they would be sufficient to exterminate the very name of the Jews, if God did not look to _his elect, _and on their account grant some alleviat... [ Continue Reading ]
23._If any one shall then say to you. _He again repeats what he had said about impostors, and not without reason; for there was great danger arising from this temptation, that wretched men, while their affairs were in a troubled and desperate condition, would be deceived by false pretenses, would se... [ Continue Reading ]
24._So that even the elect (if it were possible) will be led into error. _This was added for the purpose of exciting alarm, that believers may be more careful to be on their guard; for when such unbounded freedom of action is allowed to _false prophets, _and when they are permitted to exert such pow... [ Continue Reading ]
25._Lo, I have foretold it to you. Mark _expresses our Lord’s meaning more fully. _But take heed: lo, I have foretold you all things. _By these words we are taught that they who are dismayed by the stumbling-blocks which Christ predicted are altogether inexcusable; for since the will of God ought to... [ Continue Reading ]
26._Lo, he is in the desert. _Luke connects this discourse with another reply of Christ; for, having been interrogated by the Pharisees _about the coming of the kingdom of God, _he replied, that_it would not come with observation; _and then follows in Luke’s narrative that, turning _to his disciples... [ Continue Reading ]
28_Wheresoever the carcass is. _The meaning is, that by whatever methods Satan endeavors to scatter the children of God in various directions, still in Christ himself is the sacred bond of union, by which they must be kept united. For whence comes the dispersion, but that many depart from Christ, in... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 24:29._And immediately after the tribulation of those days. _Christ comes now to speak of the full manifestation of his kingdom, about which he was at first interrogated by the disciples, and promises that, after they have been tried by so many distressing events, the redemption will arrive... [ Continue Reading ]
30._Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man. _By this term Christ points out more clearly the difference between the present condition of his kingdom and its future glory; for it is a sort of admission that, amidst the _darkness _of _tribulations, _the majesty of Christ will not fully appear, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he shall send his angels. _He describes the effect of his power, that _he will send his angels to gather his elect _from the most distant parts of the world; for by _the extremity of heaven _is meant the most distant region. But Christ speaks hyperbolically, in order to show that _the elect, _e... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 24:32._Now learn a similitude from the fig-tree. _I do not suppose the meaning of this to be merely that, during the state of confusion which has been mentioned, there will be as evident a sign that the coming of Christ is _nigh_, as that by which we know with certainty that the summer is at... [ Continue Reading ]
34._This generation shall not pass away. _Though Christ employs a general expression, yet he does not extend the discourses to all the miseries which would befall the Church, but merely informs them, that before a single _generation _shall have been completed, they will learn by experience the truth... [ Continue Reading ]
35_Heaven and earth shall pass away. _In order to secure greater confidence in his statements, he illustrates their certainty by this comparison, that it is more firm and stable than the entire structure of the world. (156) But this form of expression is explained by commentators in a variety of way... [ Continue Reading ]
36._But of that day and hour. _By this sentence, Christ intended to hold the minds of believers in suspense that they might not, by a false imagination, fix any time for the final redemption. We know how fickle our minds are, and how much we are tickled by a vain curiosity to know more than is prope... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 24:37._But as the days of Noah were. _Although Christ lately expressed his desire to keep the minds of his followers in suspense, that they might not inquire too anxiously about the last day; yet, lest the indifference arising out of the enjoyments of the world should lull them to sleep, he... [ Continue Reading ]
39._And knew not until the deluge came. _The source and cause of their ignorance was, that unbelief had blinded their minds; as, on the other hand, we are informed by the Apostle, that _Noah _beheld at a distance, by the eyes of _faith, _the vengeance of God which was still concealed, so as to enter... [ Continue Reading ]
40._Two men shall then be in the field. _Before mentioning this, Luke inserts some sentences; the first of which is presented by Matthew as belonging to the destruction of Jerusalem, _Let not him who shall be on the house-top go down into his house to carry away his furniture. _But it is possible th... [ Continue Reading ]
42._Watch therefore. _In Luke the exhortation is more pointed, or, at least, more special, _Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life. _And certainly he who, by living in intemperance, has his senses overloaded w... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 24:43._If the householder had known. _Luke relates this discourse of Christ at a different place from Matthew; and we need not wonder at this, for in the twelfth chapter, where (as we have formerly explained) he collects out of various discourses a summary of doctrine, he inserts also this p... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 24:44._But know this. _Another similitude is now employed by Christ, in exhorting his disciples _to keep _diligent watch; for if any person shall hear that robbers are prowling in the night, fear and suspicion will not allow him to sleep. Since, therefore, we are informed that Christ’s comin... [ Continue Reading ]
45._Who is the faithful and wise servant? _This passage is more distinctly explained by Luke, who inserts _Peter’s _question, which gave rise to a new parable. Christ having declared that the suddenness and uncertainty of his coming led to such danger as left no room for sloth, _Peter _asked, if thi... [ Continue Reading ]
48._But if that wicked servant shall say in his heart. _By these words, Christ briefly points out the source of that carelessness which creeps upon wicked servants. It is because they trust to a longer delay, and thus of their own accord involve themselves in darkness. They imagine that the day when... [ Continue Reading ]