Destruction of the Temple, 24:1-2 (Mark 13:1-2; Luke 21:5-6).
[1-2] The stones in the temple measured 25 x 8 x 12 cubits. A cubit was about half a metre. The Roman army completely destroyed the temple in A.D. 70, just as Jesus had prophesied.
The Last Days, 24:3-14 (Mark 13:3-13; Luke 21:7-19).
[3] The Mount of Olives was just to the east of Jerusalem. From here Jesus began His entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1f.). The disciples wanted to know about three things: the destruction of the temple, Jesus’ return, and the end of the world. When they asked the question, they thought all these events would happen at the same time. Jesus’ return and the end of the world will occur simultaneously. They thought the destruction of the temple would certainly be the end of the world too.
[4-5] Some things that would happen would be false signs. Those signs would not mean anything. People would claim to be Christ. Many would be fooled and follow them. When Christ returns, all will know it without a doubt (see Matthew 24:27; Revelation 1:7).
[6-8] They could expect wars and rumours about wars. Other signs would also lead up to the destruction of the temple: food shortages and earthquakes. In Acts 11:28 (A.D. 46) a famine is recorded. The famine occurred during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius. This famine was reported by Jewish historians. Earthquakes were also reported during the Roman Empire. These things would be just the beginning, compared to the suffering that would take place later (the destruction of Jerusalem).
[9-10] Persecution would come against the followers of Christ. Peter wrote about persecution (1 Peter 4:14). Persecution would be directed against Christians (because of His name).
[11-14] False prophets can deceive people (see 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). “The end” refers to the destruction of Jerusalem. The known world (the Roman Empire) heard the Good News before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD. 70 (see Romans 1:5, 8; Colossians 1:6, 23; 1 Thessalonians 1:8). These were written before the destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus does want all nations taught before He comes at the end of time (Matthew 28:19).
Matthew 24:15-29
15 “When you see what God talked about through Daniel the prophet—’The Abomination of Desolation’—standing in the holy place (let the reader note the meaning), 16 then those people who are in the land of Judea must run away to the mountains. 17 The person who is on top of his house must not come down to carry things in the house away with him. 18 The person who is in the field must not turn back to get his robe. 19 At that time, it will be horrible for pregnant women and nursing mothers. 20 Pray that the time when you escape will not be during winter or on a Sabbath day. 21 There will be great suffering. Never has there been such suffering since the beginning of the world until the present time and there will never be such suffering in the future. 22 If that period of time were to last any longer, then no one would he left alive. But those times will be cut short because of the people chosen by God.” 23 “At that time, if someone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ don’t believe him. 24 False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will perform such great proofs and miracles to fool people—even God’s chosen people, if that were possible. 25 Listen! I am telling you ahead of time. 26 If they say this to you, ‘Look, he is in the desert!’ don’t go out there! or, ‘He is in secret rooms!’ don’t believe them! 27 I will return. On the day when I come, I will shine, as lightning flashes across the sky, from the east to the west. 28 People can always know where a dead body is—they can see the vultures gathering.” 29 “Soon after the trouble of those times, ‘The sun will become dark. The light of the moon will not be seen. Isaiah 13:10
The stars will fall from the sky. The powers in the universe will be moved.” Isaiah 34:4
The Destruction of Jerusalem Continued, 24:15-28 (Mark 13:14-23; Luke 21:20-24).
[15] The quote from Daniel was interpreted by the Jews as being fulfilled when Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig to Zeus (a Greek god) on the temple grounds in 167 B.C. The meaning here is explained in Luke 21:20. When they see the Roman armies surround Jerusalem, they will know that this is the real sign that destruction is near (see Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). Jews who followed Jesus would know the sign for sure.
[16-18] Seeing the armies should prompt the Christians to leave the city. Fleeing to the mountains would make no sense if He were telling them about the end of the world. The Jews had houses with flat, hard roofs with a portion of the wall extending above the roof. This area was used for different purposes (see Acts 10:9). Action would have to be taken quickly. There would be no time for gathering belongings.
[19-20] Running from an enemy is difficult. It is even more difficult when women are pregnant or have nursing children. Winter would also make things difficult. Winters in Palestine were harsh and cold. Rivers often flooded during the winter. If the destruction happened on the Sabbath, some Jews would not travel because of God’s command to rest on the Sabbath. Some early Jewish Christians still followed their Jewish way of life.
[21-22] The suffering would be the greatest ever. Historians say over one million people were killed in this one siege of Jerusalem. Many people starved to death. They ate their own children. Such vengeance and hard times could destroy the world if it continued long.
[23-26] Jesus’ return would not be apart of the destruction of the temple. Therefore, they should ignore claims about appearances of the Messiah. False Messiahs will perform misleading signs (see 2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
[27] Everyone will see Christ when He returns (see Revelation 1:7). He will be as plainly seen as lightning. “I” is literally “Son of Man.” For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20.
[28] This remark also referred to the fact that His return would be clearly visible. Or, it may refer to the armies of Rome gathering around the city. He would then again be warning the people to watch for this.
Talking in Symbols, 24:29-31 (Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-28).
[29] Jesus used the words of Isaiah. The sun becoming dark, the moon not being seen, and the stars falling were words used to describe the fall of the nation of Egypt (see Ezekiel 32:2-8). “Those times” were the days He described during the fall of Jerusalem. These words from Isaiah about the sun, moon, and stars were a distressful way to describe the fall of Jerusalem. In Isaiah’s time these words described the fall of Babylon. So the words do not have to be taken literally. These, then, do not have to refer to the end of the world, but to the fall of a nation. Verse thirty-four indicates that what has been talked about (the verses before) would happen during “this generation.”
Matthew 24:30-44
30 “Then my sign will appear in the sky: All people on earth will see me coming on the clouds with power and great glory; they will mourn. 31 I will use a loud trumpet to send out my angels. From all directions the angels will gather together my chosen people.” 32 “Learn from the story about the fig tree: When its branches start to become soft and green, and new leaves begin to grow, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that the time is very, very near. 34 I am telling you the truth: All these things will happen in this generation.” 35 “The world will be destroyed, but my words will never be destroyed! 36 No one knows when that exact time will be. The angels of heaven don’t know it. The Son doesn’t know it. Only the heavenly Father knows. 37 When I come, it will be just as it was in Noah’s time. 38 People were eating, drinking, getting married, giving their daughters away in marriage—even on the day when Noah entered the ark. 39 The people did not know the truth, until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when I come. 40 At that time, there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding grain; one will be taken and the other will be left. 42 So, watch! You don’t know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 Know this: If a homeowner knew what time of night a robber was coming, he would watch for the robber .and not let him break into his house. 44 This is why you must be ready. I will come at a time when you are not expecting me.”
[30-31] Angels were used by Christ in His parables as a part of the gathering of His people (Matthew 13:41, 49). These verses apply to the time of the destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus is speaking in symbols. Also, these words come before verse thirty-four where Jesus said that these things would happen in their time. The sign of the Son of Man would then be the fall of Jerusalem. Literally the reading is, “The sign will appear of the Son of Man in heaven.” The Son of Man will be in heaven (at that time). The sign He talked about (the destruction of Jerusalem) will have happened. The nations or tribes will mourn. The Jews that were scattered all over the world would mourn because of that destruction. “Coming on the clouds” can refer to a symbolic coming. His power will be known. Some references are made to His coming on the clouds or with power in a symbolic way (Isaiah 19:1; Matthew 16:28). When Jesus predicted something, and it happened, He can be thought of as having brought it to pass. Angels are messengers of God. Once the centre of the Jewish system was gone, God’s people (His angels or messengers) could preach the gospel with greater strength and gather people for God.
Coming Destruction, 24:32-34 (Mark 13:28-30; Luke 21:29-32).
[32-34] Nature has signs that can be read by men. The cycle of the fig tree was known to the Jews. They should be alert and read the signs of the approaching destruction of Jerusalem. It would happen in their days. It did! Jesus spoke His words around A.D. 30 and Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70. Jesus had great power. He showed His power by telling them what would happen.
The Second Coming, 24:35-44 (Mark 13:31-37; Luke 17:26-30, 34-36).
[35-36] The world seems so real and permanent. Jesus’ words are more secure and permanent than physical things. In verse thirty-six, Jesus changed the subject. He began to talk about His Second Coming. Jesus could not give them any signs for this day because He did not know when it would be.
[37-41] “I” means “Son of Man.” For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20. The coming of Christ will be unexpected. People will continue life as usual until the end. Genesis 6 tells of Noah’s days. Men did not notice what was happening in Noah’s day until the flood came (see 1 Thessalonians 5:3). Many will not watch for the end of time.
[42-44] Christians should watch. They should live knowing that any day Christ could return (see 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10). Since the time of the end is not known, the important thing is to be prepared (see Matthew 24:45-51; 25:1-13).
Matthew 24:45-51
45 “Who is the wise and trusted servant? Who is the servant whom the master can choose to take care of the master’s family and the other servants by giving them food at the right time? 46 When the master comes and finds that servant doing the work he gave him, that servant will be very happy. 47 I am telling you the truth: The master will choose that servant to take care of everything which the master owns. 48 However, if that servant thinks his master will not come back soon, 49 then he may begin to beat the other servants. That servant may also eat all the food and get drunk with other men. 50 Then the master of that servant will come when that servant is not ready, at a time when that servant is not expecting him. 51 Then the master will punish that servant and send him away. This is what the master does to all the servants he cannot trust. In that place there will he screaming and grinding of teeth.”
Who Is the Trusted Servant? 24:45-51 (Luke 12:41-48).
[45-51] The servant whom his master can trust is one who is ready at all times for his master’s return. That servant is prepared. He is doing his work and will be rewarded. If a servant thinks the master will be delayed, he may become disloyal. He will not do his work. He will waste his master’s possessions. For the punishment of the wicked, see Matthew 13:42. This is a story told to encourage Christians to always be ready for Christ’s return.
Matthew 25:1-13
25 1 Jesus said, “At that time, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins. They took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps, but they did not take extra oil with them. 4 The wise virgins took extra oil in their jars with their lamps. 5 The groom was late. All of the virgins became sleepy. They fell asleep. 6 About midnight there was a shout: ‘Look, the groom! Go out and meet him!’ 7 Then all ten virgins got up and prepared their lamps. 8 But the foolish virgins said to the wise virgins, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps have almost gone out.’ 9 The wise virgins answered, ‘No! There would not be enough for all of us. Instead, go to the store and buy some more oil.’ 10 While these virgins were gone to buy some more oil, the groom came. The wise virgins, who were ready, went inside with him to the wedding party. And the door was shut. 11 Later, the other virgins came and said, ‘Master, master, open the door for us!’ “
12 “But the master answered, ‘I am telling you the truth: I don’t know you.’ 13 So, watch! You don’t know the day or the exact hour when I will come.”
Ten Virgins, 25:1-13.
[1] The parables that are in this chapter continue to teach about the end of time when Christ will return. This parable teaches about wastefulness and being prepared. The next one teaches about responsibility, and the next about judgement. All three are very important. A wedding was very important and exciting in Palestine. Young girls were always eager to attend. The most exciting moment of the wedding was when the bridegroom came to take the bride from her father’s house to his own house. The groom’s coming in this story represents Christ’s coming. The groom had delayed his arrival until dark (verse 5), and so the girls needed lamps. These would probably have been small clay lamps that burn oil. These lamps could not hold much oil.
[2-6] The foolish virgins did not think the groom would be late. The wise virgins were prepared and carried extra oil. The bridegroom delayed until midnight. Jesus gave other lessons that used midnight as a possible time for a surprise return (Luke 12:38; Mark 13:35).
[7-9] The wise virgins showed their wisdom by realizing that there was not enough oil for all. Since it was the middle of the night, buying more oil would be difficult.
[10-11] Poor preparation kept the foolish virgins from the wedding celebration.
[12-13] The cry of the girls and the reply of the groom are similar to those in Matthew 7:21-23. Christians must watch and be ready. Christians do not know when Christ will return (Matthew 24:42, 44; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6). Christ does not know the time either; only God the Father knows (Matthew 24:36).
Matthew 25:14-34
14 “The kingdom of heaven will be like a man leaving on a trip. He called his servants and turned his property over to them. 15 He gave five talents to one, two talents to one, and one talent to another. Each man received what he was able to manage. Then the man went on the trip. 16 The man with five talents went out immediately and earned five more talents. 17 In the same way, the man with two talents earned two more talents. 18 But the man with one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and buried his master’s money. 19 After a long time, the master of those servants came back. He made them give an account. 20 The man who had received five talents came and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you turned five talents over to me, but, look, I earned five more talents!’ ” 21 ”His master said to him, ‘Fine! You are a good and faithful servant. I see that I can trust you with small things. Therefore, I will put you in charge of important things. Come and share your master’s happiness.’ ” 22 “The man with two talents came and said, ‘Master, you turned two talents over to me, but, look, I have earned two more talents!’ ” 23 “His master said to him, ‘Fine! You are a good and faithful servant. I see that I can trust you with small things. Therefore, I will put you in charge of important things. Come and share your master’s happiness.’ 24 Then the man who had received one talent came. He said, ‘Master, I knew you were a hard man. You take money which you didn’t earn and you gather food which you didn’t grow. 25 So I was afraid. I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, here is your talent.’ ” 26 “His master answered, ‘You evil, lazy slave! You knew that I take money which I didn’t earn and gather food which I didn’t grow. 27 Therefore, you should have put my money in the bank. Then when I returned, I could have my money, with interest, too. 28 Take the talent away from him and give it to the man who has ten talents. 29 The person who uses what he has will get more, but the person who doesn’t use what he has will have everything taken away from him. 30 Throw this useless slave outside into the dark.’ In that place, there will be screaming and grinding of teeth.” 31 “When I come with my glory and all my angels, then I will sit on my glorious throne. 32 All the people in the world will be gathered in front of me. I will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 I will put the sheep on the right side and the goats on the left side. 34 Then I will say to the people on the right side, ‘You are blessed by my Father. Come, take what belongs to you—the kingdom which was prepared for you since the beginning of the world.
Responsibility in God’s Kingdom, 25:14-30.
[14-15] The man gave his servants some responsibility for his property. Christ has returned to heaven and has left us with responsibility for His property (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). It would take a workman 1,000 weeks to earn one talent. Each man was not given too much but was given what he could manage well. God gives each of us abilities to use in His kingdom (1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1ff.).
[16-18] The first two men were eager. The first one went out immediately. The second man probably went out immediately also since it says “in the same way.” Both doubled their talents. The man with one talent was afraid (see verse 25). Fear can keep men from being useful. Jesus wants us to overcome our fears. Often He encouraged men not to be afraid (see Matthew 10:31; 14:27; 17:7; 28:5, 10). Jesus had power over nature (Matthew 14:13-33), sickness (Matthew 15:21-31; 20:29-34), spirits (Matthew 9:32-34), and death (Matthew 9:18-26). He is our friend and can help us overcome fear if we trust Him and His power. For “freedom from fear,” see Matthew 14:27. Fear can keep men from working. Fear kept this man from using what he was given. He buried his talent. He could have used it because the master gave him “what he was able to manage” (verse 15).
[19-23] The “long time” indicates that the master delayed his return. These workers remained ready and responsible for what they had been given. They were praised for their faithfulness. Greater responsibility comes only when we are faithful with what we have been given.
[24-28] The third man did not blame himself. He blamed his master. He said he was an unreasonable, hard, and demanding man. Burying treasure or possessions was a common thing to do in Palestine (Matthew 13:44). The man returned the large sum of money. This man was evil and lazy because he did nothing with the talent. He could have managed the talent (see verse 15). Interest could not legally be charged to fellow Jews. Interest could be charged to foreigners (Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36).
[29-30] These words in verse twenty-nine are similar to those in Matthew 13:12 (see Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18). Whatever is not used will be lost forever. Whatever is used now works toward more (see Matthew 6:20). For punishment of the wicked, see Matthew 13:42. See also Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 24:51.
Good People and Bad People, 25:31-46.
[31] “I” is literally “Son of Man.” For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20. Jesus referred to coming in His glory at other times (Matthew 16:27; 19:28). He also made reference to coming with His angels (Matthew 13:41, 49; 16:27; 24:31).
[32-33] Separation of good and bad will occur when the end comes (Matthew 13:24-30, 47-49).
[34] For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20. In this parable, the right side is the favoured side (see Matthew 22:44; 26:64). The kingdom is the kingdom of God. God had plans for us before the creation of the world (1 Peter 1:20; Ephesians 1:4). The purpose of God is greater than that of spirits. God prepared something for us before we were alive. Spirits know only about the living and the dead. They know nothing about those who have not yet been born. Christians do inherit the kingdom (Romans 8:17; Ephesians 3:6; Colossians 3:24; 1 Peter 1:4).
Matthew 25:35-46
35 I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me into your home. 36 I had no clothes, so you gave me some clothes. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in jail and you came to visit me.’ ” 37 “Then the good people will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you? When did we feed you when you were hungry? When did we give you something to drink when you were thirsty? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes? When did you need clothes and we gave you some clothes? 39 When were you sick or in jail? When did we come to you?’ 40 “I will answer them, ‘I am telling you the truth: Since you treated some of my so-called “unimportant” brothers this way, you did it to me!’ ” 41 “Then I will say to the people on the left side, ‘Go away from me into eternal fire. You are condemned! The fire has been prepared for the Devil and his angels. 42 I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you didn’t take me into your homes. I had no clothes and you didn’t give me any. I was sick; I was in jail, but you didn’t take care of me.’ ” 44 “Then they will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you? When were you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, without clothes, sick, or in jail and we didn’t help you?’ ” 45 “Then I will answer them, ‘I am telling you the truth: Since you didn’t treat one of these so-called “unimportant” people with kindness, you didn’t do it to me, either.’ “
46 “Then these people will go off into eternal punishment, but the good people will go into eternal life.”
[35-40] These people were blessed because they had taken care of Jesus. They had done this without knowing it. They had served Him by serving others. They were obeying the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39). They had given this service to the people in need (see Matthew 18:5; 20:26-28). Many things can be done to serve Him: encouraging others, helping others (Romans 12:7-8), being hospitable (1 Peter 4:9-10). God has always wanted His people to care for the poor and those in true need (Deuteronomy 24:14-15, 19-22). God will know our actions (Romans 2:6; 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
[41-46] For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20. The people on the left side were condemned. The destruction of the Devil is described in Revelation 20:10, 14-15; 21:8. The people in the parable are punished because they did not serve Christ. They overlooked the common and poor people (see 1 John 3:17; 4:20). Men have a choice of eternal punishment or eternal life. They decide which they will receive by how they live (Romans 2:6; 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Matthew 26:1-13
26 1 When Jesus finished saying all these things, he said this to his followers, 2 “You know that the day after tomorrow is the Passover Festival. I will be handed over to be nailed to a cross.” 3 Then the most important priests and the Jewish elders of the people gathered together at the high priest’s house. His name was Caiaphas. 4 They planned to use a trick to arrest Jesus and kill him, 5 but they said, “Let us not do it during the Passover Festival, so that there will be no trouble among the people.” 6 Jesus was in the town of Bethany in Simon’s house. (Simon was a leper.) 7 A woman came to Jesus. She had an alabaster jar of some very expensive perfume. While Jesus was sitting at the table, she poured it on his head. 8 When Jesus’ followers saw this, they became very angry. They asked, “Why waste this? 9 This could have been sold for a lot of money and given to poor people!” 10 Knowing what they were saying, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a good thing to me. 11 You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me! 12 When she put this perfume on my body, she did it for when I will be buried. 13 I am telling you the truth: The Good News will be preached in the whole world. Wherever they tell it, what she did will be mentioned to remember her.”