Notes on Matthew 24:30-25:46

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 thefour 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.

The Parable of the Sheep and Goats - Matthew 25:31-46

This is the third parable challenging Jesus' disciples to a life of faithfulness as they await his return from heaven. In this parable, Jesus emphasized the importance of care and compassion for others, especially fellow Christians (cf. Gal. 6:10). Jesus taught that serving others is like serving Jesus himself (Matt. 25:40,45). See WCF 3.3, 6.6, 16.7, 33.2; WLC 27, 87, 88, 89, 90, 135, 136, 152; WSC 19, 84; BC 12, 37; HC 11, 32, 52.

Matthew 25:31

Son of Man … on his glorious throne. Throughout the Gospel Jesus has described himself as the Son of Man. This verse shows specifically that the Son of Man language refers to Jesus as King ruling with God the Father in the coming kingdom. See WLC 16, 56; BC 37.

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