Matthew 24:42-51

Matthew 24:42 to Matthew 25:13. Abbreviating Mark 13:33, with its simile of the absent householder, into one verse (Matthew 24:42; cf. Luke 21:36), Mt. inserts (a) the short simile of a householder off his guard, (b) the longer one describing the absent master and the careful and careless stewards (for these cf. Luke 12:39), (c) the parable of the bridesmaids (Mt. only). At Matthew 25:13 he repeats Mark 13:33, the starting-point of his inserted material. Note that in (a) the Parousia is boldly likened to the coming of a thief (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:2), in (b) the lesson is taught that every disciple must play his part loyally in the brotherhood. In its present form the parable may point to the contrast between faithful and heedless leaders of the early Church. One looks after his flock, the other neglects and maltreats them, and seeks his own advantage (Montefiore, p. 743). cut him asunder (Matthew 5:1) possibly means discharge him from his service. See Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary, p. 165, and cf. EGT. In (c) the Parousia is compared to a wedding procession. The contrast between the ready and the unready is again brought out, and the moral is the same as in the preceding illustrations. Be prepared for Messiah's advent; it is too late to repent after His arrival. This parable is a good instance of the futility of trying to squeeze a meaning out of every detail. Montefiore thinks the parable (which is not one of the best) is later than Jesus, and grew up to explain the delay in the coming of the Kingdom, and to point out how the intervening time of uncertain duration should be spent.

Matthew 25:1. After bridegroom add and the bride.