Matthew 24:40,41

Matthew 24:40-41 graphically illustrate the suddenness of the Parusia. εἷς εἷς (Matthew 24:40) instead of εἷς ἑτέρος, o μία μία in Matthew 24:41. Of these idioms Herrmann in Viger (p. 6) remarks: “Sapiunt Ebraismum”. παραλαμβάνεται, ἀφίεται, one is taken, one left. The reference may either be to the action of the angels, Matthew 24:31 (Meyer), or to the judicial action of the Son of Man seizing some, leaving free others (Weiss-Meyer). The sentences are probably proverbial (Schott), and the terms may admit of diverse application. However applied, they point to opposite destinies. ἀλήθουσαι, grinding: ἀλήθω, late for ἀλέω, condemned by Phryn., p. 151. ἐν τῷ μύλωνι (T. R.), in the mill house. ἐ. τ. μύλῳ (W.H [133]), in or with the millstone. The reference is to a handmill, which required two to work it when grinding was carried on for a considerable time women's work (vide Robinson, i., 485; Furrer, Wand., p. 97; Benzinger, p. 85, where a figure is given).