Matthew 24
DOYLY—for a witness unto all nations;] That I am the Christ. “And then shall the end” of the Jewish Church and polity “come.” Dr. Whitby.
Matthew 24:6
6.—ye shall hear of wars] That there were in reality great disturbances and commotions in those times; that there were not only rumours of wars, but wars actually existing, and continued dissensions, insurrections, and massacres among the Jews, and other nations who dwelt in the same cities with them, is so fully attested by all the historians of that period, and more particularly by Josephus, that to produce all the dreadful events of that kind which he enumerates, would be to transcribe a great part of his history. Bp. Porteus.
—but the end is not yet.] That is, many such calamities must happen before the final and utter destruction of the Jewish nation. Dr. S. Clarke.
Matthew 24:7
7.—nation shall rise against nation.] Besides the seditions of the Jews, made horribly bloody by their mutual slaughter, and other storms of war in the Roman empire from strangers, the commotions of Otho and Vitellius, and those of Vitellius and Vespasian, are particularly memorable, whereby not only the whole Roman empire was shaken, but the capital itself was made the scene of commotions. Such convulsions the Roman empire suffered, at the time when Vespasian, the scourge and vengeance of God upon the Jews, ascended the throne. Dr. Lightfoot.
—famines.] There was a famine in the fourth year of Claudius Cesar, which, according to Eusebius, oppressed the whole Roman empire, and more especially Judea, (Acts xi. 28,) where, as Josephus says, many perished for want of food. Dr. Whitby.
—pestilences.] In hot countries, a pestilence commonly follows a famine: Josephus mentions a particular instance of this occurring in Judea. Bp. Pearce.
—earthquakes.] Josephus mentions an earthquake to have happened when the Idumeans encamped on the outside of Jerusalem; and Philostratus speaks of earthquakes happening, not long before the destruction of Jerusalem, in Crete, Smyrna, and other places, where a considerable number of Jews were residing. Bp. Pearce.
Matthew 24:9
- Then shall they deliver you up &c.] “And shall kill you;” that is, some of you: see Acts vii. 59; xii. 1;
and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Matthew 24:10
10.—then shall many be offended.] Many, who shall be professed Christians, shall fall off from their religion. Bp. Pearce.
Matthew 24:11
11.—many false prophets] The Hebrews included under the term “prophets” teachers and interpreters of the law. The law of Christ was falsely taught by many in the early ages: see 2 Tim. ii. 17; 2 Cor. xi. &c. Grotius.
Matthew 24:12
12.—because iniquity shall abound, &c.] So apt is wickedness in its own nature to spread and propagate itself, not only because evil men continually increase unto more ungodliness, but because even they who are well disposed are too often drawn aside by the example, or wearied out by the opposition, of a vicious and corrupt world. Dr. S. Clarke.
Matthew 24:13
13.—the same shall be saved.] Shall be saved from the common destruction, Acts ii. 21. Bp. Mons. Shall be saved, both in this world and in the next. It is, as we know, the universal doctrine of Scripture, that they who persevere in the belief and practice of Christianity to the end of their lives, shall, through the merits of their Redeemer, be rewarded with everlasting life. And, with respect to the present life, and the times to which our Saviour more immediately alludes, it is remarkable that none of His disciples were known to perish in the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. Bp. Porteus.
Matthew 24:14
14.—shall be preached in all the world.] That the Gospel was indeed so spread before the destruction of Jerusalem, “through the whole world,” that is, through the Roman empire, the then known world, we are informed by St. Paul in various passages, Rom. i. 6; x. 18; Coloss. i. 6, 23. This great event He only could foretell, who having all power in heaven and in earth, was able to effect it. Dr. Whitby.
The Acts of the Apostles contain only a small part of the history of a small part of the Apostles; and yet even in that history we see that the Gospel was most widely disseminated, and had taken root in the most considerable parts of the Roman empire. Bp. Newton.
The signs and calamities which shall go before Anno DOMINI 23. d Mark 13. 14. e Dan. 9. 27. for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 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:)
Matthew 24:15
- When ye therefore shall see &c.] Our Lord here goes on to still more alarming and more evident indications of the near approach of danger to the Jewish nation. By comparing the expression here with Luke ix. 27, it is clear that “the abomination of desolation” denotes the Roman army which besieged Jerusalem, and which Daniel, in the place here alluded to, calls “the abomination that maketh desolate.” The Roman army is here called an abomination, because upon its standards were depicted the images of their emperour, and the tutelary gods whom they worshipped; and it is well known that idols were held by the Jews in the utmost abhorrence, and they called them by the very name here used, “an abomination.” The word “desolation” is added for an obvious reason, because this mighty army brought ruin and desolation on Jerusalem. This city, and the mountain on which it stood, and a circuit of several furlongs around it, were accounted holy ground; and, as the Roman standards were planted in the most conspicuous places near the fortifications of the city, they are here said to stand in “the holy place.” And Josephus tells us, that, after the city was taken, the Romans brought their ensigns into the temple, and placed one of them against the eastern gate, and sacrificed to them there; which was the greatest insult and outrage that could possibly be offered to that wretched people. Bp. Porteus.
Matthew 24:16
- Then let them &c.] Then let them which are in Judea, knowing that the final destruction of the nation is coming, flee for their lives. Dr. S. Clarke.
Matthew 24:17
- Let him which is on the homestop &c.] In illustration of this passage it should be mentioned, that the flat roofs of the houses in the towns of Palestine communicate with each other; so that a person might proceed from the roof to the city walls, and escape into the country without coming down into the street. Williams. And the stairs leading from the tops of the houses were on the outside. See note at Mark ii. 4. Bp. Pearce.
Matthew 24:18
18.—to take his clothes.] That is, his upper garment or cloak, which according to custom he left at home when he went into the field. See Mark xiii. 16. Bp. Pearce.
Matthew 24:19
19.—woe unto them that are with child, &c.] For neither will such persons be in a condition to fly, nor will they be able to endure the distress and hardships of a siege. This woe was sufficiently fulfilled in the cruel slaughters which were made both of women and children, and particularly in that grievous famine which so miserably afflicted Jerusalem during the siege. Bp. Newton.
Matthew 24:20
20.—in the winter,] Notwithstanding the general
Matthew 24:21
21.—such as was not since &c.] Whoever will turn to the history of this war by Josephus, and there read the detail of the horrible and almost incredible calamities endured by the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the siege, not only from the fire and sword of the enemies without, but from famine and pestilence, and continual massacres and murders from the fiendlike fury of the seditious zealots within, will be convinced that the very strong terms used by our Lord do not go beyond the truth. Indeed Josephus himself, in his preface to his history, expresses himself almost in the very same words. “Our city,” he says, “of all those subjected to the Romans, was raised to the highest felicity, and was thrust down again to the lowest gulph of misery: for, if the misfortunes of all from the beginning of the world were compared with those of the Jews, they would appear much inferior on comparison.” This is almost precisely the same as what our Saviour says in this verse. It is impossible, it may well be thought, even for the most stubborn infidel not to be struck with the great similarity of these two passages; and not to see that the prediction of our Lord, and the accomplishment of it, as described by the historian, are exact counterparts of each other, and seem almost to have been written by the same person. Yet Josephus was not born till after our Saviour was crucified; and he was not a Christian but a Jew; and certainly never meant to give any testimony to the truth of our religion. Bp. Porteus.
Matthew 24:22
22.—but for the elect’s sake] That is, for the sake of the Christians. See ver. 13, and 2 John i. Bp. Pearce. For the sake of those Christians who will adhave to the profession of their faith, in the midst of trials and persecutions. Bp. Tomline. We frequently find in the New Testament those who the destruction of the temple. The signs of the judgment. Anno DOMINI 33. f Mark 13. 21. Luke 17. 22.
Matthew 24:24
- — there shall arise false Christs, &c.] Our Lord had already cautioned His disciples against believing the false Christs and false prophets who would appear before the siege; and He now warns them against those that would rise up during the siege. This, as Josephus tells us, they did in great abundance, and flattered the Jews with the hope of seeing their Messiah coming, with great power, to rescue them from the Romans. And they pretended to shew “signs and wonders;” the very words used by that historian as well as by our Lord. Bp. Porteus.
Matthew 24:25
- Wherefore if they shall say &c.] Wherefore, if it shall be reported that Christ appears visibly in the desert, and is preparing to come and deliver His servants, regard it not. And, if they say He is secretly in any private place, ready to shew Himself and appear publickly, give no credit to it at all. Dr. S. Clarke.
— in the desert;] It is surprising that our Saviour should not only foretell the appearance of these impostors, but also the manner and circumstances of their conduct. For several of the false Christs and prophets conducted their followers into “the desert.” Josephus mentions various instances, in which these impostors persuaded the people to follow them into the deserts, where they promised to shew manifest signs and wonders done by the providence of God; and the consequence was, that those who were persuaded by them drew down destruction on themselves. Bp. Newton.
Matthew 24:27
- For as the lightning &c.] As the lightning shineth through all places in an instant, so the power of Christ
Matthew 24:28
- For wheresoever the carcase is, &c.] Meaning that, as the eagles collect wherever they find their prey, so shall the Roman armies follow the call of Divine vengeance. This expression contains a beautiful allusion to the eagles of the Roman standards. Abp. Newcome.
Matthew 24:29
- — shall the sun be darkened, &c.] These which follow are strong figurative expressions, denoting that the Jewish state should be utterly destroyed. By similar figures we frequently find described in Scripture an utter desolation, and terrible destruction brought upon nations and capital cities. So Isaiah of Babylon, chap. xiii. 9, 10. In like terms the wrath of God against the Idumeans is expressed, Issi. xxxiv. 3, 4. Again, the destruction of Egypt, Ezek. xxxii. 7. Maimonides applied this passage to the destruction of all the Jews of supernour rank by the zealots. Twelve thousand of the nobility were slain by them, as Josephus relates. Dr. Whitby.
Matthew 24:30
30, 31. And then shall appear the sign &c.] Then it shall become most evident that Jesus was the true and only Messiah, and the Jews shall lament and mourn, and be forced to acknowledge the power, and glory, and majesty of Christ, who will then send forth His ministers among the Gentiles, and will gather into one body those who believe and obey His Gospel, from among all the nations of the earth. In like manner at the end of the world, after long persecutions and afflictions of the church, and after great disturbances and revolutions in all the nations of the world, Christ will at last appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and He will send His angels through the world, and gather together His elect, that is, all good men, who have believed and obeyed Him, and reward them with eternal life. Dr. S. Clarke.
At that time the Son of man, whom the Jews would not before acknowledge, shall give proof of Himself, not indeed in any visible form, but in vengeance and judgment so visible, that all the tribes of the earth shall be forced to acknowledge Him the avenger. The Jews, many times, asked for a sign: now a sign will appear, that He is the true Messiah whom they despised, derided, crucified; namely, His signal vengeance and fury,
Anno DOMINI 33. b Mark 13. 24. Luke 21. 25. Iesi. 13. 10. Joel 2. 31. Ezek. 35. 7.
Matthew 24:32
- So likewise ye, &c.] The shooting forth of leaves and buds is not a surer token of the approach of summer, than these signs are, that Christ will then enter on His glorious kingdom. Dean Stanhope. The approach of summer, says our Lord, is not more surely indicated by the first appearances of spring, than the final destruction of the wicked by the beginnings of vengeance on this impenitent people. The opening of the vernal blossom is the first step in a natural process, which necessarily terminates in the ripening of the summer fruits; and the rejection of the Jews, and the adoption of the believing Gentiles, is the first step in the execution of a general plan of Providence, which will end in the general judgment. Bp. Horsley.
Matthew 24:34
- — This generation shall not pass.] Accordingly, all these events did actually take place, within forty years after our Saviour delivered this parable, and before that generation had passed away. Bp. Porteus.
Matthew 24:35
- Heaven and earth &c.] Meaning, These prophecies of Mine shall most certainly be fulfilled. Bp. Pearce. Though heaven and earth are deemed the most unchangeable of all things; yet even these are not so firm as My prediction of these things. They shall be dissolved, but My words shall not be changed, nor shall one title of that, which I have now delivered, fail of its designed event. Dean Stanhope.
Matthew 24:36
- But of that day and hour &c.] That is, the precise time (John vii. 30.) when these things shall come to pass, no one knoweth but God only. Bp. Pearce.
Matthew 24:37
- — as the days of Noe] The meaning of this passage (ver. 37—41.) is, When the day of desolation shall come upon the city and temple of Jerusalem, the inhabitants shall be as thoughtless and unconcerned, and as unprepared for it, as those in the days of Noah were for the flood. But, as some (more particularly the Christians) will be more watchful, and in a better state of mind than others, the providence of God will make a distinction between His faithful and His disobedient servants; and will protect and preserve the former, but leave the latter to be taken or destroyed by their enetries; although they may both be in the same situation of life, may be engaged in the same occupations, and may appear to the world to be in all respects in similar circumstances. Bp. Porteus.
Matthew 24:41
- Two women shall be grinding] This expression is illustrated by modern customs in the East. “Scarcely had we reached our apartment at Nazareth, than we beheld two women grinding at the mill, in a before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Matthew 24:42
- Watch therefore: &c.] Here ends the prophetical part of our Lord’s discourse: that which follows is altogether exhortatory. It may be called the moral of the prophecy, the practical application of it, not only to His immediate bearers, but to His disciples in all future ages: for this concluding admonition certainly alludes no less to the final judgment, than to the destruction of Jerusalem, and applies with at least equal force to both. Indeed, the prophecy itself, although in its primary and strictest sense relates throughout to the destruction of the temple, city, and government of Jerusalem; yet, as has already been stated, was probably intended by Jesus as a type and an emblem of the dissolution of the world itself, to which the total subversion of a great city, and a whole nation, bears some resemblance. But, with respect to the conclusion, there can be no doubt of its being intended to call our attention to the last solemn day of account, with a view to which it is too clear to need much explanation, and too impressive to require additional enforcement. Bp. Porteus. He means by these declarations to remind every man that his particular doom is near: for, whatever may be the season appointed in the secret counsels of God for that great and terrible day, when the heavens and the earth shall flee from the face of Him who shall be seated on the throne, and their place shall be no more found; whatever may be the destined time of this publick catastrophe, the end of the world, with respect to every individual, takes place at the conclusion of his own life. In the grave there will be no repentance, no virtues can Anno DOMINI 33. We ought to be ever watchful. The parable of the ten virgins. A## DOMINI 23.
Matthew 24:51
- — shall cut him asunder.] A mode of punishment used in the East: meaning generally, He will severely punish him—will destroy him with the sword here, and condemn him hereafter. Abp. Newcome.
— the hypocrites.] Those hypocritical servants, who professed to be busy for the master when he was present, but were idle in his absence. Bp. Pearce.
Chap. XXV. ver. 1. Then shall &c.] The parables which follow are designed to carry on the subject with which the preceding chapter concludes; namely, that of the last solemn day of retribution: the object of them is, to call our attention to that great event, and to warn
us of the necessity of being always prepared for it. Bp. Porteus.
— the kingdom of heaven be likened &c.] Meaning, the state of the Gospel, and the method of God’s dealings with men will be such, as may fully be represented by this similitude. Dr. S. Clarke.
— took their lamps.] The Jewish marriages, and the feasts which followed them, were performed at night. Bp. Pearce. See note at ver. 6.