unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28 For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.1

1 Job 39:30.

26. He; i. e. the Messiah. — The desert. These impostors began their operations in remote and thinly settled districts, where they might get a footing before they should be molested by the authorities. Acts 21:38.

27. As the lightning; look not for the Messiah in out-of-the-way or secret places, for his coming shall be conspicuous, like the flashing of the lightning through the heavens. Ver. 30. Note Luke 17:21.

28. The eagles; the Roman armies shall gather for the destruction of the guilty city, as ravenous birds collect upon their prey. Perhaps an allusion is made to the eagles upon the Roman standards. Ver. 15.

29. Immediately. This is one of the points at which it has been held that the transition takes place in the discourse, from the destruction of Jerusalem to the final judgment of the world.

In opposition to this view are, 1. The fact that it mars the logical unity of the discourse. See the synopsis, ver. 3. Christ was replying to the inquiries as to the time and the signs of the first of these events, and it is unnatural to suppose him abruptly breaking away from these, to discuss another topic far remote, without the slightest intimation of so doing. 2. The word "immediately" forbids it. This expressly asserts that the events following should be in close chronological connection with what went before. 3. The 34th verse is decisive; declaring that all these events should occur within that existing generation. Note ch. 16:27, 28. See an elaborate discussion of this subject by Professor Stuart, Bib. Sac. vol. ix. P. 329. The sun be darkened; i. c. eclipsed. The stars. The ancients sup

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days, shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken : 2

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son

22 Pet. 3:10.

posed that the stars were fixed in the solid firmament above us. — - Powers of the heavens; the celestial bodies collectively, which, passing daily in harmonious order across the heavens, were likened to an army in its march, and hence called the heavenly host. Isa. 34: 4; 40: 26. The idea is that the solid framework of the skies should be shaken so that the stars should become loosened from their sockets, and fall to the ground, like the meteors in our atmosphere. It was customary, in the figurative language of prophecy, to set forth under this fearful imagery the judgment and overthrow of wicked nations. Compare Isa. 13:913, as applied to Babylon; 24: 19, 20, 23, to Jerusalem; Ezek. 32: 7, 8, to Egypt; Joel 3:15, to the Gentiles; Amos 8:9, to oppressors. In Joel 2: 30, 31, is a similar passage, which Peter quotes on the day of Pentecost, and expressly declares is being fulfilled in those times. Says Stuart, "The Hebrews regarded changes in the celestial physical world as accompanying and indicative of great changes in the natural or political one. Eclipses inspired them with

dread and horror; meteors were still more the objects of fear, as coming nearer to them. Hence these things became a common fund of imagery for vivid, and specially for poetic_description of what was dreadful. The amount of such descriptions is substantially this, viz., that what such changes in the heavenly bodies would be to the luminaries of the sky, the impending changes and catastrophes, political and natural, will be to the objects respectively connected with those changes. Bib. Sac. ix. p. 338.

30. The sign. The language of this verse was evidently taken from Dan. 7 :

of man coming1 in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

1 Zech. 14:5.

13, and our Lord means to say that that prediction would then be fulfilled. Tribes of the earth; rather of the land, i. e. Palestine. Stuart.-Mourn; shall wail with terror and fear. Luke adds, "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth."- In the clouds. The origin of this expression is probably to be found in the sublime appearance of Jehovah on Mt. Sinai at the giving of the law. Ex. 19:9, 16. This was often referred to in the Psalms in connection with his manifestations in behalf of his people. Ps. 18:11; 97: 2; 104: 3. So in Dan. 7:13; Matt. 26: 64; Rev. 1:7. With power; i. e. a powerful retinue. This, also, as an item in the description, was taken from the scene at Sinai. Deut. 33:2; Acts 7: 53; Gal. 3:19. The angels are often represented as attendants upon Jehovah in his administration (Ps. 68: 17; Isa. 66: 15); also upon Christ. Ch. 13:41; 16:27; 26:53; John 1:51; 1 Thess. 4:16; 2 Thess. I: 7. -Great glory. The pomp and splendor of a conquering king.

In what sense did Christ thus appear, and how did the tribes see him come at the destruction of Jerusalem? Not as a physical manifestation. It is not said that there would be a bodily appearance, or that it would be presented to the bodily eye. Certainly such a phenomenon did not occur at the time referred to. But the actor is seen in his acts. Christ having at his ascension received his messianic power, manifests the same in the destruction of his enemies and the deliverance of his people; and that manifestation to men is his coming to them. The fearful scenes of the siege and destruction of the city were the revelation of Christ in his divine glory as the King and Judge of the nation, visible to the understanding of all men. The world

32 Now learn a parable of the fig-tree: When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.3

Ch. 13:41; 1 Cor. 15: 52; 1 Thes. 4: 16. Ja. 5:9.

itself, ever since then, have seen and acknowledged Christ on the page of that awful history. He was really there, and the angels were really there; as they

are

now present in the church and in providence; but they were no more visible to the bodily eye than they now are. "In Scripture language," says Stuart, "God comes whenever he proceeds to do or execute any purpose of his will in respect to man." See Gen. 11:5; 18:21; Ex. 3:8; 19:18, 20; Num. 12:5; 22:9; Ps. 68: 7; Isa. 64: 3. "But we are never to suppose an actual and visible coming, except by symbols. God is always and everywhere present, and can not come and go in the literal sense."

31. Sound of trumpet. The imagery is taken still from the transactions at Sinai, where the trumpet sounded long and loud to call the people to receive the law. It was customary, also, to blow the trumpet to summon men to battle, to the public feasts and fasts, and other solemn occasions. Num. 10: 1-10; Ps. 81:3; Jer. 4:5; Joel 2:1, 15. The idea is that the angels were to summon the Christians together, to be conducted to places of safety, ver. 13, (Stuart, Kuinoel); but we are not to understand it, any more than the angels themselves, to have been apparent to the bodily senses. - Four winds; a Hebrew phrase signifying every quarter. - End of heaven; strictly, the horizon where the blue concave of the sky seems to touch the earth. Compare Deut. 4:32; 30:4; Ps. 19: 6. The meaning is, "to the utmost extent where those elect are to be found." Stuart.

32. Our Lord has now answered the second inquiry, respecting the signs of the approaching catastrophe. He next proceeds, reversing the order, to answer the first, as to the time. - Parable; an illustration. The fig-tree began to leave

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.3

37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving

1 Ch. 16:28; 23:36. Ps. 102: 26; Isa. 51:6. 3 Zech. 14:7; Acts 1:7; 1 Thess. 5:2.

out about the time of the spring equi

nox.

33. When ye shall see; an expression showing that he was addressing those who should be cotemporaneous with the events described. It is near; viz., the end (ver. 14); or, better, "he is near," i. e. the Messiah.

34. This generation. Jerusalem was taken A. D. 70, or 40 years after this prediction. It was therefore within the lifetime of many then living.

35. Heaven and earth; a solemn formula, declaring the certainty of the thing referred to. Ch. 5:18.

36. Day and hour; the exact time. - Knoweth no man. Mark adds, "Neither the Son." This is no denial of Christ's divinity. He was a perfect man as well as God, and grew in wisdom (Luke 2: 52) like other men; that is, he acquired knowledge which before he had not. In whatever sense that affirmation might be made of him, in the same sense it might be said that he did not know the precise moment of the fulfillment of his prediction.

37. The days of Noah. This and the next four verses are repeated from Luke 17:26-35.

39. So shall also; i. e. it shall be sudden and unexpected, like the flood. The Jews, to the very last, had the utmost confidence in their ability to resist the Romans; nay, they believed that God himself would interpose for the

in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,*

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took, them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

42 Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." 43 But know this, that if the good4 Gen. 7: 7. 5 Ex. 33: 19; Rom. 9: 11-13. 6 Luke 12:39, 40; Rev. 3:3; 16: 15.

protection of his own city and temple.

40. Shall be taken; by the angels. Ver. 31.

41. Grinding. Corn was ground in a hand-mill, and generally by women.

The mill consisted of one stone turned upon another by a handle, a woman sitting on each side of it, one of them moving the stone, the other supplying the grain.

42. Watch therefore. The third part of our Saviour's discourse begins here. He has now answered the two questions which his disciples asked, and next proceeds to enjoin upon them watchfulness, and constant preparation for the event. Robinson, and some others, make this the place of transition to the general judgment. But, 1. No intimation of it can be found here, any more than at ver.

man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That

1 Ch. 25:21; 1 Tim. 3:13; Rev. 2:26; 3:21. 29.

2. The logical unity of the discourse forbids it. These admonitions to watchfulness grew directly out of the fact that the events he had described were to occur suddenly and unexpectedly, and that the very lives of his people would depend on their being on the alert, to seize the favorable moment when they might successfully escape. Luke's language is very explicit : "Watch ye, therefore, and pray always that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand" (i. e. be accepted or approved) "before the Son of man." 3. It seems altogether unnatural that Christ should give the disciples such repeated and earnest injunctions to live in constant watching and waiting for an event that would not occur for thousands of years

to come.

66

43. Goodman. Note ch. 20: II. What watch. The later Jews divided the night into four watches, each being the period for a sentinel or picket to remain on duty. These were named numerically, or as even, midnight, cockcrowing, and morning," terminating respectively at 9, 12, 3, and 6 o'clock. Broken up; literally, dug through. Eastern houses are built of stones or clay.

44. Cometh. This language, identical with that in ver. 3, 27, 30, 37, 39, 42, shows that the subject still remains unchanged.

he shall make him ruler over all his goods.'

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,2

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

21 Thess. 5:3.

45. Made ruler. Note Luke 16: I. 46. So doing; i. e. discharging his trust faithfully.

47. Over all; he will promote him to a higher post of duty and honor.

48. Evil; if that servant, instead of obeying, shall be evil, and say, etc.

51. Cut him asunder; a not unfrequent mode of punishment in the East. It is said that Isaiah was put to death in this mode. 2 Sam. 12:31; Dan. 2:5; 3:29; Heb. II:37. It is here a figurative description of the punishment more literally described in the next words. With the hypocrites; referring probably to the scribes and Pharisees, upon whom the divine judgments were about to fall. This reference shows that Christ has still in view the scenes described in the first part of the chapter.

PRACTICAL THOUGHTS.

1. Earthly temples, however beautiful and costly, are of no value in God's sight, if a true and sincere worship be not offered in them.

8. Revolutions and conflicts are often the birth-pangs of new eras in the world's history, marking her advance toward the glorious latter day.

14. The rejected gospel is a witness against the unbeliever, certifying God's goodness to him and his own unbelief, and calling for his condemnation at the day of judgment.

20. It is right to pray that the weather and the seasons may be favorable to us in our undertakings. The prayers of the Christians in Judæa were answered. The siege of Jerusalem was not in the winter; it began in the spring, and lasted only till September.

22. The providential government of the world is administered in the interest of God's people. The movements of armies and the destinies of nations are made to wait upon it, and not a hair of their heads can perish without his permission.

30. The grand events of the world's history which mark its progress from age to age are each of them a coming of Christ in his kingly authority and power. It is only the unbelieving and the carnal who do not see him therein. To his own people his presence is as evident as the lightning flash in the heavens, filling them with abiding peace and joy.

36. Christ's ignorance of the exact time of the catastrophe he had predicted was a part of that wonderful “ emptying of himself" (Phil. 2: 8) to which the Eternal Word submitted in undertaking the work of redemption. He was God, but God incarnate; the Infinite vailed beneath the conditions and limitations of the finite.

42. Christ comes to all his people at death, to take them to himself. John 14:3. The day and the hour thereof he has not revealed. For that coming they should watch, that he may find them with their work done, ready to receive him, and depart to the home he has prepared for them in his Father's house.

CHAPTER XXV.

1. Then; at the period spoken of in the last chapter, ver. 34. This exact

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them :

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.2 21 Thess. 5:6.

designation of time, as well as the evident continuance of the subject with which that chapter closed, shows that we have not yet reached the place of alleged transition to the general judgment. Even Alford and other millenarian commentators agree that these two parables do not refer to the final judgment; they view them as teaching "the coming of the Lord to his personal reign" before the millennium. — Ten virgins. Ten was the usual number of lamps borne in marriage processions. Wetstein. Lamps. Ch. 5:15. - Went forth. The bridegroom, with his attendants, having visited the house of the bride, returned with her and her ladies to his own home, preceded by musicians, and accompanied by torch-bearers. their way back the female friends of the parties were accustomed to join the procession, with their lights, and enter with them to the wedding feast. were admitted without lights.

Lamp.

On

None

2. Wise; prudent, thoughtful. It is the same word that is applied to the servant, (ch. 24: 45), and means those who exercise a wise forethought for what is coming.

3. No oil; to replenish them. The wedding procession was often deferred to a late hour of the evening.

5. Slumbered; literally, nodded. Referring to the drowsiness which insensibly steals over one while watching in the night.

6. A cry; by a herald sent forward to announce his approach.