rwp - Matthew:24:36-51

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 ho patr 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 hmerai tou Ne\). 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} (\san trgontes\). Periphrastic imperfect. The verb means to chew raw vegetables or fruits like nuts or almonds.

rwp@Matthew:24:41 @{At the mill} (\en ti muli\). Songs:Westcott and Hort and not \mulni\ (millhouse) Textus Receptus. The millstone and then hand-mill which was turned by two women (\althousai\) 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} (\grgreite oun\). A late present imperative from the second perfect \egrgora\ 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} (\poii phulaki\). As in strkjv@14:25| (four watches of the night). {Broken through} (\dioruchthnai\). Digged through the tile roof or under the floor (dirt in the poorer houses).

rwp@Matthew:24:44 @{That ye think not} (\hi ou dokeite hri\). 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|).