Matthew 24:32--25:30

The Parable of the Fig Tree

24:32 “Learn ¹  this parable from the fig tree: Whenever its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 24:33 So also you, when you see all these things, know ²  that he is near, right at the door. 24:34 I tell you the truth, ³  this generation ⁴  will not pass away until all these things take place. 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. ⁵ 

Be Ready!

24:36 “But as for that day and hour no one knows it – not even the angels in heaven ⁶  – except the Father alone. 24:37 For just like the days of Noah ⁷  were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 24:38 For in those days before the flood, people ⁸  were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. 24:39 And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. ⁹  It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man. ¹⁰  24:40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left. ¹¹  24:41 There will be two women grinding grain with a mill; ¹²  one will be taken and one left.

24:42 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know on what day ¹³  your Lord will come. 24:43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief ¹⁴  was coming, he would have been alert and would not have let his house be broken into. 24:44 Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. ¹⁵ 

The Faithful and Wise Slave

24:45 “Who then is the faithful and wise slave, ¹⁶  whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves ¹⁷  their food at the proper time? 24:46 Blessed is that slave whom the master finds at work ¹⁸  when he comes. 24:47 I tell you the truth, ¹⁹  the master ²⁰  will put him in charge of all his possessions. 24:48 But if ²¹  that evil slave should say to himself, ²²  ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 24:49 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with drunkards, 24:50 then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee, 24:51 and will cut him in two, ²³  and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25:1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 25:2 Five ²⁴  of the virgins ²⁵  were foolish, and five were wise. 25:3 When ²⁶  the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra ²⁷  olive oil ²⁸  with them. 25:4 But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. 25:5 When ²⁹  the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 25:6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ ³⁰  25:7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 25:8 The ³¹  foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 25:9 ‘No,’ they replied. ³²  ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 25:10 But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then ³³  the door was shut. 25:11 Later, ³⁴  the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ ³⁵  25:12 But he replied, ³⁶  ‘I tell you the truth, ³⁷  I do not know you!’ 25:13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. ³⁸ 

The Parable of the Talents

25:14 “For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves ³⁹  and entrusted his property to them. 25:15 To ⁴⁰  one he gave five talents, ⁴¹  to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 25:16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work ⁴²  and gained five more. 25:17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 25:18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. 25:19 After ⁴³  a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 25:20 The ⁴⁴  one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, ⁴⁵  you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 25:21 His master answered, ⁴⁶  ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 25:22 The ⁴⁷  one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 25:23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 25:24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25:25 so ⁴⁸  I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 25:26 But his master answered, ⁴⁹  ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 25:27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, ⁵⁰  and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! ⁵¹  25:28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. ⁵²  25:29 For the one who has will be given more, ⁵³  and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ⁵⁴  25:30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

[24:32]  ¹ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[24:33]  ² tn The verb γινώσκετε (ginwskete, “know”) can be parsed as either present indicative or present imperative. In this context the imperative fits better, since the movement is from analogy (trees and seasons) to the future (the signs of the coming of the kingdom) and since the emphasis is on preparation for this event.

[24:34]  ³ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[24:34]  ⁴ sn This is one of the hardest verses in the gospels to interpret. Various views exist for what generation means. (1) Some take it as meaning “race” and thus as an assurance that the Jewish race (nation) will not pass away. But it is very questionable that the Greek term γενεά (genea) can have this meaning. Two other options are possible. (2) Generation might mean “this type of generation” and refer to the generation of wicked humanity. Then the point is that humanity will not perish, because God will redeem it. Or (3) generation may refer to “the generation that sees the signs of the end” (v. 30), who will also see the end itself. In other words, once the movement to the return of Christ starts, all the events connected with it happen very quickly, in rapid succession.

[24:35]  ⁵ sn The words that Jesus predicts here will never pass away. They are more stable and lasting than creation itself. For this kind of image, see Isa 40:8; 55:10-11.

[24:36]  ⁶ tc ‡ Some important witnesses, including early Alexandrian and Western mss (א*^,2 B D Θ Ë¹³ pc it vg^mss Ir^lat Hier^mss), have the additional words οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός (oude Jo Juios, “nor the son”) here. Although the shorter reading (which lacks this phrase) is suspect in that it seems to soften the prophetic ignorance of Jesus, the final phrase (“except the Father alone”) already implies this. Further, the parallel in Mark 13:32 has οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός, with almost no witnesses lacking the expression. Hence, it is doubtful that the absence of “neither the Son” is due to the scribes. In keeping with Matthew’s general softening of Mark’s harsh statements throughout his Gospel, it is more likely that the absence of “neither the Son” is part of the original text of Matthew, being an intentional change on the part of the author. Further, this shorter reading is supported by the first corrector of א as well as L W ˹ 33 Ï vg sy co Hier^mss. Admittedly, the external evidence is not as impressive for the shorter reading, but it best explains the rise of the other reading (in particular, how does one account for virtually no mss excising οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός at Mark 13:32 if such an absence here is due to scribal alteration? Although scribes were hardly consistent, for such a theologically significant issue at least some consistency would be expected on the part of a few scribes). Nevertheless, NA²⁷ includes οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός here.

[24:37]  ⁷ sn Like the days of Noah, the time of the flood in Gen 6:5-8:22, the judgment will come as a surprise as people live their day to day lives.

[24:38]  ⁸ tn Grk “they,” but in an indefinite sense, “people.”

[24:39]  ⁹ sn Like the flood that came and took them all away, the coming judgment associated with the Son of Man will condemn many.

[24:39]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “So also will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

[24:40]  ¹¹ sn There is debate among commentators and scholars over the phrase one will be taken and one left about whether one is taken for judgment or for salvation. If the imagery is patterned after the rescue of Noah from the flood, as some suggest, the ones taken are the saved (as Noah was) andthose left behind are judged. The imagery, however, is not directly tied to theidentification of the two groups. Its primary purposein context is topicture the sudden, surprisingseparation of the righteous and the judged (i.e., condemned) at the return of the Son of Man.

[24:41]  ¹² tn According to L&N 46.16, this refers to a hand mill normally operated by two women.

[24:42]  ¹³ tc Most later mss (L 0281 Ï lat) have here ὥρᾳ ({wra, “hour”) instead of ἡμέρα (Jemera, “day”). Although the merits of this reading could be argued either way, in light of the overwhelming and diverse early support for ἡμέρᾳ ({א B C D W Δ Θ Ë¹³ 33 892 1424, as well as several versions and fathers}), the more general term is surely correct.

[24:43]  ¹⁴ sn On Jesus pictured as a returning thief, see 1 Thess 5:2, 4; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; 16:15.

[24:44]  ¹⁵ sn Jesus made clear that his coming could not be timed, and suggested it would take some time – so long, in fact, that some will not be looking for him any longer (at an hour when you do not expect him).

[24:45]  ¹⁶ tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.

[24:45]  ¹⁷ tn Grk “give them.”

[24:46]  ¹⁸ tn That is, doing his job, doing what he is supposed to be doing.

[24:47]  ¹⁹ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[24:47]  ²⁰ tn Grk “he”; the referent (the master) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[24:48]  ²¹ tn In the Greek text this is a third class condition that for all practical purposes is a hypothetical condition (note the translation of the following verb “should say”).

[24:48]  ²² tn Grk “should say in his heart.”

[24:51]  ²³ tn The verb διχοτομέω (dicotomew) means to cut an object into two parts (L&N 19.19). This is an extremely severe punishment compared to the other two later punishments. To translate it simply as “punish” is too mild. If taken literally this servant is dismembered, although it is possible to view the stated punishment as hyperbole (L&N 38.12).

[25:2]  ²⁴ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[25:2]  ²⁵ tn Grk “Five of them.”

[25:3]  ²⁶ tn Grk “For when.” Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated.

[25:3]  ²⁷ tn The word “extra” is not in the Greek text but is implied. The point is that the five foolish virgins had only the oil in their lamps, but took along no extra supply from which to replenish them. This is clear from v. 8, where the lamps of the foolish virgins are going out because they are running out of oil.

[25:3]  ²⁸ tn On the use of olive oil in lamps, see L&N 6.202.

[25:5]  ²⁹ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[25:6]  ³⁰ tc ‡ Most witnesses have αὐτοῦ (autou, “[with] him”) after ἀπάντησιν (apanthsin, “meeting”), a reading which makes explicit what is already implied in the shorter text (as found in א B 700). The translation likewise adds “him” for clarity’s sake even though the word is not considered part of the original text. NA²⁷ has αὐτοῦ in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

[25:8]  ³¹ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[25:9]  ³² tn Grk “The wise answered, saying, ‘No.’”

[25:10]  ³³ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[25:11]  ³⁴ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[25:11]  ³⁵ tn Grk “Open to us.”

[25:12]  ³⁶ tn Grk “But answering, he said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.

[25:12]  ³⁷ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[25:13]  ³⁸ tc Most later mss (C³ ˹³ 1424^c Ï) also read here “in which the Son of Man is coming” (ἐν ᾗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἔρχεται, en |h Jo Juio" tou anqrwpou ercetai), reproducing almost verbatim the last line of Matt 24:44. The longer reading thus appears to be an explanatory expansion and should not be considered authentic. The earlier and better witnesses ({̳⁵ א A B C* D L W Δ Θ Ë¹ 33 565 892 1424* lat co}) lack this phrase.

[25:14]  ³⁹ tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.

[25:15]  ⁴⁰ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

[25:15]  ⁴¹ sn A talent was equal to 6000 denarii. See the note on this term in 18:24.

[25:16]  ⁴² tn Grk “traded with them.”

[25:19]  ⁴³ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[25:20]  ⁴⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

[25:20]  ⁴⁵ tn Grk Or “Lord; or “Master” (and so throughout this paragraph).

[25:21]  ⁴⁶ tn Grk “His master said to him.”

[25:22]  ⁴⁷ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[25:25]  ⁴⁸ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

[25:26]  ⁴⁹ tn Grk “But answering, his master said to him.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.

[25:27]  ⁵⁰ tn For the translation “deposited my money with the bankers,” see L&N 57.216.

[25:27]  ⁵¹ sn That is, “If you really feared me you should have done a minimum to get what I asked for.”

[25:28]  ⁵² tn Grk “the ten talents.”

[25:29]  ⁵³ tn Grk “to everyone who has, he will be given more.”

[25:29]  ⁵⁴ sn The one who has nothing has even what he seems to have taken from him, ending up with no reward at all (see also Luke 8:18). The exact force of this is left ambiguous, but there is no comfort here for those who are pictured by the third slave as being totally unmoved by the master. Though not an outright enemy, there is no relationship to the master either.