Matthew:24:36-51

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rwp @Matthew:24:36 @{Not even the Son } (\oude ho huios \). Probably genuine , though absent in some ancient MSS . The idea is really involved in the words "but the Father only " (\ei m ˆ ho pat ˆr monos \). It is equally clear that in this verse Jesus has in mind the time of his second coming . He had plainly stated in verse 34 | that those events (destruction of Jerusalem ) would take place in that generation . He now as pointedly states that no one but the Father knows the day or the hour when these things (the second coming and the end of the world ) will come to pass . One may , of course , accuse Jesus of hopeless confusion or extend his confession of ignorance of the date of the second coming to the whole chain of events . Songs:McNeile : "It is impossible to escape the conclusion that Jesus as Man , expected the End , within the lifetime of his contemporaries ." And that after his explicit denial that he knew anything of the kind ! It is just as easy to attribute ignorance to modern scholars with their various theories as to Jesus who admits his ignorance of the date , but not of the character of the coming . rwp @Matthew:24:37 @{The days of Noah } (\hai h ˆmerai tou N “e \). Jesus had used this same imagery before to the Pharisees (Luke:17:26-30 |). In Noah 's day there was plenty of warning , but utter unpreparedness . Most people are either indifferent about the second coming or have fanciful schemes or programs about it . Few are really eager and expectant and leave to God the time and the plans . rwp @Matthew:24:38 @{Were eating } (\ˆsan tr “gontes \). Periphrastic imperfect . The verb means to chew raw vegetables or fruits like nuts or almonds . rwp @Matthew:24:41 @{At the mill } (\en t “i mul “i \). Songs:Westcott and Hort and not \mul “ni \ (millhouse ) Textus Receptus . The millstone and then hand-mill which was turned by two women (\al ˆthousai \) as in strkjv @Exodus:11:5 |. This verb is a late form for \ale “\. There was a handle near the edge of the upper stone . rwp @Matthew:24:42 @{Watch therefore } (\gr ˆg “reite oun \). A late present imperative from the second perfect \egr ˆgora \ from \egeir “\. Keep awake , be on the watch "therefore " because of the uncertainty of the time of the second coming . Jesus gives a half dozen parables to enforce the point of this exhortation (the Porter , the Master of the House , the Faithful Servant and the Evil Servants , the Ten Virgins , the Talents , the Sheep and the Goats ). Matthew does not give the Parable of the Porter (Mark:13:35-37 |). rwp @Matthew:24:43 @{In what watch } (\poi ƒi phulak ˆi \). As in strkjv @14:25 | (four watches of the night ). {Broken through } (\dioruchth ˆnai \). Digged through the tile roof or under the floor (dirt in the poorer houses ). rwp @Matthew:24:44 @{That ye think not } (\h ˆi ou dokeite h “r ƒi \). It is useless to set the day and hour for Christ 's coming . It is folly to neglect it . This figure of the thief will be used also by Paul concerning the unexpectedness of Christ 's second coming (1Thessalonians:5:2 |). See also strkjv @Matthew:24:50 | for the unexpectedness of the coming with punishment for the evil servant . rwp @Matthew:24:48 @{My lord tarrieth } (\chronizei mou ho kurios \). That is the temptation and to give way to indulge in fleshly appetites or to pride of superior intellect . Within a generation scoffers will be asking where is the promise of the coming of Christ (2Peter:3:4 |). They will forget that God 's clock is not like our clock and that a day with the Lord may be a thousand years or a thousand years as one day (2Peter:3:8 |).

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