1.
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
went out, &c. Thus marking this (see Mark 13:1 ) as the second of the two prophecies: the former (Luke 21 ) being spoken "in the Temple". See App-155 .
from = away from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
the temple = the Temple courts, the sacred enclosure. See note on Matthew 23:35 .
the buildings, &c. These consisted of the courts, halls, colonnades, towers, and "wings". In Luke 21 "some" spake of its adornment with goodly stones and gifts.
2.
And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
See = Behold, look on. App-133 . Not the same word as in verses: Matthew 24:6 , Matthew 24:15 , Matthew 24:30 , Matthew 6:33 .
verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 .
shall not = shall by no means. Very emphatic, because certain. Greek. ou me. App-105 .
upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .
shall not. All the texts omit the "me", and read simply " ou " as in the first clause.
3.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
privately = apart. Luke 21 was spoken publicly.
coming = presence. Greek. parousia. This is the first of twenty-four occurrences of this important word (Matthew 24:3 , Matthew 24:27 , Matthew 24:37 , Matthew 24:39 ; 1 Corinthians 15:23 ; 1 Corinthians 16:17 . 2Co 7:6 , 2 Corinthians 7:7 ; 2 Corinthians 10:10 . Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:26 ; Philippians 2:12 . 1Th 2:19 ; 1 Thessalonians 3:13 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:15 ; 1Th 5:23 . 2 Thessalonians 2:1 , 2Th 2:8 , 2 Thessalonians 2:9 . James 5:7 , James 5:8 ; 2 Peter 1:16 ; 2Pe 3:4 , 2 Peter 3:12 ; 1 John 2:28 ). The Papyri show that "from the Ptolemaic period down to the second century A.D. the word is traced in the East as a technical expression for the arrival or the visit of the king or the emperor", also of other persons in authority, or of troops. (See Deissmann's Light, &c, pp. 372-8, 441-5). It is not therefore a N. T word, as some have supposed.
the end of the world. See App-129 .
the end = the sunteleia. Sunteleia = meeting together of all that marks the consummation of the age; not telos = the actual end, verses: Matthew 24:6 , Matthew 24:13 , Matthew 24:14 .
world. See App-129 .
4.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Take heed. Greek. blepo. App-133 .
no man = not ( me. App-105 .) any one.
deceive = lead astray.
5.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
in = upon: trading upon. Greek. epi.
Christ = the Messiah. App-98 .
6.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
shall hear = will be about to hear.
see. Greek. horao. App-133 . Not the same word as in verses: Matthew 24:2 , Matthew 24:15 , Matthew 24:30 .
must = it is necessary [for them to].
come to pass = arise (as in Matthew 24:34 ).
the end. Greek. telos. Not the same as in Matthew 24:3 . This marks the beginning, not the end. The "many Christs" would be the very first sign. See note on 1 John 2:18 .
7.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
For nation, &c. See App-117 . Quoted from Isaiah 19:2 .
famines, and pestilences. Figure of speech Paronomasia . Greek. limoi kai loimoi. Eng. dearths and deaths, in divers = Greek. kata = in [different] places.
8.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
the = a.
sorrows = birth-pangs.
9.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
to be afflicted = unto tribulation.
to = unto. Greek. eis.
of = by.
for = on account of. Greek. dia.
10.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
be offended = stumble. See App-117 . Quoted from Isaiah 8:15 .
shall betray = will deliver up, as in Matthew 24:9 .
11.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
because = on account of. Greek. dia, as in Matthew 24:9 .
iniquity = lawlessness.
abound = be multiplied. Compare Acts 6:1 , Acts 6:7 ; Acts 7:17 ; Acts 9:31 .
many = the many.
wax = grow. Anglo-Saxon weaxen, to grow.
wax cold. Greek. psuchomai.
13.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
shall endure = shall have endured.
the end. Greek. telos , the actual end. Not the sunteleia (Matthew 24:3 ), but the same as in Matthew 24:6 and Matthew 24:14 .
saved = delivered (1 Thessalonians 1:10 ).
14.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
gospel of the kingdom. See App-140 .
of = concerning. Genitive of Relation. App-17 .
preached = proclaimed. App-121 .
world = the (then) habitable world. Greek. oikoumene. See App-129 . The civilized as distinct from barbarian. Not the same word as in either Matthew 24:3 and Matthew 24:21 .
for = to, or with a view to. Greek. eis. App-104 .
nations = the nations.
15.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
the abomination, &c. Reference to Daniel 12:11 . See App-117 ., and notes on Daniel 9:27 ; Daniel 9:11 , Dan 9:31 ; Daniel 12:11 . Used as the equivalent for a special idol. Deuteronomy 7:26 . 1 Kings 11:7 . 2 Kings 23:13 . Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:4 .
of. Genitive of Cause, that which brings on God's desolating judgments.
by = by means of, or through. Greek. dia.
the holy place. See note on "pinnacle", Matthew 4:5 .
understands = observe attentively.
16.
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
into = upon. Greek. epi. LTr. WH read " e i s ". App-104 .
17.
Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
anything. All the texts read "the things".
18.
Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19.
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20.
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
be = happen.
on. Greek. en . App-103 .
21.
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
shall be, &c. See App-117 . Quoted from Daniel 12:1 .
was not = has not arisen, or happened; same as "fulfilled", Matthew 24:34 .
since = from, as in Matthew 24:1 .
the beginning. See note on John 8:44 .
world. Greek. kosmos App-129 .
nor ever = ou me. App-105 ; i.e. shall by no means happen.
22.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
shortened = curtailed. See App-90 .
23.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
if . . . &c. The condition is hypothetical. App-118 .
Christ = the Messiah. App-98 .
24.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
shew = give.
insomuch that = so as to, &c.
if it were possible. The condition involves no doubt as to its being impossible. See App-118 .
25.
Behold, I have told you before.
26.
Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
secret chambers. See note on Matthew 6:6 . Greek. tameion. Occurs only there, here, and Luke 12:3 , Luke 12:24 .
27.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
as = just as.
out of = frorn. Greek. apo .
also. All the texts omit "also".
the coming = the parousia, or presence. See note on Matthew 24:3 .
the Son of man. See App-98 .
28.
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
carcase. Greek. ptoma.
eagles = vultures.
gathered together. See Job 39:30 , which shows the true interpretation.
29.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Immediately after. No room therefore for a Millennium before His coming. It must follow it.
after. Greek. meta. App-104 .
shall the sun, &c. App-117 . Quoted from Isaiah 13:10 ; Isaiah 34:4 .
heaven = the heaven (Singular.) See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
the powers, &c. See Isaiah 13:10 , Isaiah 13:11 ; Isaiah 34:4 . Probably referring to the evil "principalities and powers" of Ephesians 1:21 ; 2 Chronicles 1:16; 2 Chronicles 1:16 ; Colossians 2:10 , Colossians 2:15 .
the heavens. Plural See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
30.
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
appear = shine forth. Greek. phaino. App-106 .
the sign. As asked in Matthew 24:3 .
then shall, &c. Quoted from Zechariah 12:12 .
earth = land. Greek. ge. App-129 .
they shall see. Greek. opsomai. App-133 .
in = [seated] upon. Greek. epi.
with. Greek. meta. Quoted from Daniel 7:13 .
with power and great glory = with power, yea, with great and glorious power. Figure of speech Hendiadys. App-6 .
31.
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
a great sound of a trumpet. Greek "a trumpet and a great sound" = a trumpet, yea, a great sounding trumpet. Figure of speech Hendiadys ( App-6 ); not two things, but one.
they shall gather, &c. Quoted from Deuteronomy 30:4 . See 1 Thessalonians 4:16 , 1 Thessalonians 4:17 .
His elect. Who "received the Word". Act 2:41 . 1 Thessalonians 2:13 .
from = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
heaven = heavens. Plural See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
know = get to know. Greek. ginosko. App-132 . The same word as in verses: Matthew 24:33 , Matthew 24:39 , Matthew 24:43 ("know").
32.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33.
So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
likewise ye = ye also.
it is near = He is near
34.
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
This generation. See note on Matthew 11:16 .
not = by no means. Greek. ou me. App-105 .
till. Here with Greek " an ", and the Subjunctive Mood, marking the uncertainty, which was conditional on the repentance of the nation. Note the four "tills" (Matthew 10:23 ; Matthew 16:28 ; Matthew 23:39 ; Matthew 24:34 ), and compare what is certain with what is uncertain.
be fulfilled = may have begun to arise, or take place: referring specially to the first "sign" in Matthew 24:4 , in response to the first question in Matthew 24:3 ; not the same word as in Luke 21:24 , but the same as in Matthew 24:32 .
35.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
words. Plural of logos. See note on Mark 9:32 .
36.
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
of = concerning. Greek. p eri. App-104 . knoweth = has any intuitive knowledge. Greek. oida. The same word as in verses: Matthew 24:42 , Matthew 24:43 ("known"); not the same as in verses: Matthew 24:32 , Matthew 24:33 , Matthew 24:39 , Matthew 24:43 ("known").
Father. App-98 .
only = alone. Not the Lord as "the Son of man", though surely as "the Son of God".
37.
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
shall = will.
also the coming = the parousia (or presence) also.
the coming = the parousia. See note on Matthew 24:3 .
38.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Noe = Noah.
into. Greek. eis . App-104 .
39.
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
until. Reference to Pentateuch (Gen 7-11).
40.
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
the one shall be taken, &c. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 , 1 Thessalonians 4:16 refers to this, for it is the same parousia.
shall = is. So in Matthew 24:41 .
taken = taken to one's side, in peace and for blessing, as in Matthew 1:20 , Matthew 1:24 ; Matthew 17:1 .Luke 9:10 ; Luke 18:31 ; John 14:3 ("receive").
left. For judgment; as in Matthew 13:30 ("let"); Matthew 15:14 ("let alone"); Matthew 19:27 , Matthew 19:29 ("forsaken"); Matthew 23:38 ; Matthew 26:56 , &c.
41.
Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
women. Grinding was and is woman's work in the East, and is done in the morning.
at = in. Greek. en . App-104 .
the mill. Greek. mulon. Occurs only here.
42.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Watch. As in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 and 1 Thessalonians 5:10 ("wake").
43.
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
goodman of the house = master of the house.
would come = is coming.
44.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Therefore = on this account. Greek. dia touto. App-104 .Matthew 24:2 .
be = become.
45.
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
over = at the head of Greek. epi .
meat = their food. "Meat" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for all kinds of food ( App-6 ).
46.
Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Blessed = Happy. As in Matthew 5:3 .
47.
Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
over = in charge of. Greek. epi .
goods = substance, or property.
48.
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
But and if = But if. As in Matthew 24:23 .
evil. Greek. kakos. App-128 .
his coming = to come.
49.
And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50.
The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
aware of = knoweth, as in Matthew 24:32 , Matthew 24:33 , Matthew 24:39 .
51.
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
weeping and gnashing. See note on Matthew 8:12 .