Matthew 24:22
The
elect. Jesus has already taught that God must reveal the Son to people or else they will not be able to understand and believe (Matt. 11:25-27). These are the "
elect" he is referring to.
Matthew 24:27
Son of
Man. Jesus frequently (Matt. 8:20; 9:6; 16:13; 20:28; 24:30; 26:64) referred to himself with this designation from Daniel 7:13-14. This expression highlights Jesus' authority and unique role in God's work in the world.
Matthew 24:29
The
sun will be
darkened, the
moon will not give its
light. These are poetic, symbolic images that are used to refer to the coming of the new and final age of the world that God will bring through Jesus. They symbolize a reversal of creation to indicate a change in the cosmos.
Matthew 24:30
coming on the
clouds of the
sky. There is a mysterious figure in Daniel 7 who is distinct from God ("the Ancient of Days") and yet who shares God's nature and is honored by all peoples throughout the world. This Son of Man is seen in heaven coming on clouds. Jesus was claiming that he is this Son of Man. When Jesus repeats this claim in the presence of the Jewish High Priest, the Jews understood that he was making a claim to be divine and they accuse Jesus of blasphemy (Matt. 26:64-66). See
WLC 56;
BC 37.
Matthew 24:31
From the
four winds. This was an expression that referred to the whole world, perceived as having four corners from which different winds blew.
Matthew 24:34
This generation will not pass away. Throughout the centuries Christians have understood this in a number of ways. "
Generation" could refer to all of "humanity" or instead more narrowly to those alive during Jesus' day. If the latter, then Jesus is referring to the destruction of the Temple that did occur within 40 years of Jesus' teaching (AD70).
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and
earth will
pass away ... "
Heaven and earth" refers to all of creation itself, which is about to be replaced/renewed (cf. Matt. 19:28; 24:29). Jesus put his own words and authority above even creation itself, claiming that his teaching will outlast the end of the old creation and age (Matt. 7:24; 9:6; 28:18). Matthew 24:36
No one knows ... nor the Son. Even Jesus, in submission to God the Father in his human nature, does not know the final time of his return. See WCF 33.3; WLC 16, 88; BC 37. Jesus' Call to Vigilance and Diligence - Matthew 24:45-51
The point of all of Jesus' teachings about the future judgment and age to come are summed up here: Jesus' disciples should be vigilant, diligent, and faithful, not out of fear but from the wisdom that comes from God. Wise and Foolish Brides - Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus used an image from the ancient near east of a royal man taking ten wives into his marriage line. Jesus' point was not about marriage or about marriage practices, but he used this common image to contrast the wisdom of being prepared for Jesus' second coming with the foolishness of those who do not prepare themselves. See BC 37. The Parable of the Servants - Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus used this long parable to teach once again the importance of Jesus' disciples being faithful with the teaching and wisdom that he had given them. See WCF 5.6, 16.6, 33.3; WSC 38.
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