HarperCollins Study Bible

by Harold W. Attridge

  24.21 Suffering, Greek thlipsis, a word that became a technical term for end-time affliction (see v. 29; Dan 12.1; Rom 5.3; 8.35).

  24.22 The elect, God’s chosen, righteous people (see Deut 7.6–11; Rom 8.33; Col 3.12).

  24.24 False messiahs. See note on 24.5. Signs and omens. See 12.38; 16.1; 2 Thess 2.9; Didache 16.4. According to Josephus, false prophets claimed there would be signs of deliverance from the Romans (War 6.285–309). See note on 24.16.

  24.26 Cf. Lk 17.23; Gospel of Thomas 3; 51; 113. The isolated wilderness was a favorite hiding place for bandits and insurrectionists; see Acts 21.38; Josephus, Antiquities 20.97–99; 20.167–72; War 2.258–63; 7.437–41.

  24.27 The coming (Greek parousia), i.e., to execute the final judgment at the end of the age (see vv. 3, 37, 39, 44, 50; 25.31–46). Son of Man. See note on 8.20.

  24.28 This grisly proverb emphasizes that the coming of the Son of Man will be obvious to all.

  24.29–31 Cf. Mk 13.24–27; Lk 21.25–28. The Parousia, or (second) coming, of the Son of Man.

  24.29 The language echoes Isa 13.10, 13; 34.4; Ezek 32.7–8; Joel 2.10; Am 8.9; see also Rev 6.12–13.

  24.30 The sign, perhaps the Son of Man himself or some cosmic sign (see v. 27; see also Isa 11.12; 49.22). All the tribes…will mourn, an allusion to Zech 12.10 (see also Rev 1.7). The Son of Man…clouds of heaven. See Dan 7.13; note on Mt 8.20; see also 26.64; Didache 16.6.

  24.31 Angels. Cf. 13.41. On the gathering of the elect (see note on 24.22); see Isa 27.12–13; 1 Thess 4.16. Four winds, i.e., the whole world; see Ezek 37.9; Zech 2.6; Rev 7.1; Didache 10.5.

  24.32–36 Cf. Mk 13.28–32; Lk 21.29–33.

  24.33 You know that he is near. Cf. vv. 36, 48–50; 25.5.

  24.34 Truly I tell you. See note on 5.18. This generation will not pass away. See 10.23; 16.28; cf. 24.36, 48; 25.5.

  24.36 That day. See note on 7.22. Only the Father. Cf. 11.27.

  24.37–44 Cf. Lk 17.26–27, 34–35; 12.39–40. The emphasis here is on the unexpectedness of the flood, which caught people unprepared.

  24.40–41 Taken…left. Cf. Gospel of Thomas 61. Two. See note on 4.18–22.

  24.42–44 Cf. Lk 12.39–40; 1 Thess 5.2; 2 Pet 3.10; Rev 3.3; 16.15; Gospel of Thomas 21; 103; Didache 16.1.

  24.42 Keep awake. See 25.1–13; 26.36–46; 1 Thess 5.6–8.

  24.43 The unexpectedness of a thief provides an apt metaphor for the coming of the Son of Man (see 1 Thess 5.2, 4; 2 Pet 3.10; Rev 3.3; 16.15).

  24.45–51 Cf. Lk 12.42–46. An allegorically interpreted slave parable warns about a delay in Jesus’ return.

  24.46 Blessed. See note on 5.3.

  24.47 Truly I tell you. See note on 5.18.

  24.48 My master, lit. “my lord,” Jesus (see note on 7.21). Delayed. See also 25.5, 19; 2 Pet 3.1–13.

  24.50 An hour that he does not know. See vv. 36, 44; 25.13.

  24.51 Cut him in pieces, particularly savage imagery (see also 18.34). With the hypocrites. See, e.g., 23.29–33. Weeping and gnashing of teeth. See note on 8.12.

  MATTHEW 25

  The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

  1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaidsa took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.b 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those bridesmaidsc got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaidsd came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.e

  The Parable of the Talents

  14“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15to one he gave five talents,f to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

  The Judgment of the Nations

  31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,g you did it to me.’ 41Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

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  a Gk virgins

  b Other ancient authorities add and the bride

  c Gk virgins

  d Gk virgins

  e Other ancient authorities add in which the Son of Man is coming

  f A talent was worth more than fifteen years’ wages of a laborer

  g Gk these my brothers

  25.1–46 Three major parables about the coming (Greek parousia) of the Son of Man for final judgment. The first and third are found only in Matthew.

  25.1–13 Parable of the ten bridesmaids, an allegory about readiness for the unexpected Parousia.

  25.1 Then, at the Parousia (see 24.50). Kingdom of heaven. See note on 4.17. Went to meet the bridegroom. The setting is the return of the groom (with his new bride) to his father’s house (see 22.2). The task of the bridesmaids (lit. virgins, text note b) is to welcome the bride and groom into the household; see note on 9.15.

  25.5 The bridegroom was delayed, i.e., the delay of Jesus’ return. See 24.36–51; 25.19.

  25.6 Midnight, lit., “in the middle of the night,” an unexpected time.

  25.10 On the wedding banquet as a metaphor for the kingdom of heaven, see 22.1–10. The door was shut. See 22.11–14; also 5.20; Lk 13.24–27.

  25.11 Lord, lord. See 7.21–23.

  25.12 Truly I tell you. See note on 5.18.

  25.13 Keep awake. See note on 24.42.

  25.14–30 Cf. Lk 19.12–27. Parable of the talents, an allegory for responsibility during the period before Jesus’ return.

  25.14 Going on a journey. The story suggests a temporary absence, as of the resurrected Son of Man. Entrusted his property to them. Household slaves often had positions of authority; see 24.45.

  25.15 Talent, not human ability, but an unusually large amount of money (see text note e; 18.24).

  25.16 Traded with them. The action suggests a willingness to take risks, possibly representing missionizing apostles (see 10.5–15).

  25.18 A hole in the ground, a safe, risk-free way to save (see 13.44). Master’s, lit. “lord’s” (see note on 7.21).

  25.19 After a long time suggests the delay of the Parousia (see 24.48; 25.5). Settled accounts suggests the last judgment (see 18.23).

  25.21 Enter into the joy of your master suggests entering the kingdom (see vv. 10, 34).

  25.29 See 13.12 (doublet).

  25.30 Weeping and gnashing of teeth. See note on 8.12.

  25.31–46 The criteria of the final judgment, the author’s most powerful and dramatic ethical statement (vv. 35–36).

  25.31 When the Son of Man comes, i.e., the Parousia (see note on 13.41; 16.27–28; 24.29–31). The angels with him. See Deut 33.2; Zech 14.5; note on 13.39. Throne of his glory, his glorious throne (see also 19.28; 26.64; Dan 7.13–14; Rev 3.21).

  25.32 Nations. Greek ethne can mean groups of almost any kind, but especially “peoples” or “nations” (see also 24.9, 14; 28.19). It most often refers to groups other than one’s own (see note on 1.1), thus also “Gentiles” (see 4.15; 6.32; 10.5, 18;12.18, 21; 20.19, 25). The group is the object of missionary activity between the death of Jesus and his return (see 28.19; see also Isa 66.18; Rev 21.22–22.5). Separate…sheep from the goats. See Ezek 34.17–22; see note on 3.12.

  25.33 Right hand. See note on 22.44.

  25.34 In Jesus’ parables the king usually represents God (see 18.23; 22.2), but here the king is the Son of Man (see note on 13.41; see also 21.5; 27.11; Rev 17.14).

  25.35–36 The criteria are whether a person has performed works of mercy to those in great need in the present world; cf. 9.13a.

  25.37 Righteous, here those who innocently do good works (see 13.43; cf. 1.19). Lord. See note on 7.21.

  25.40 Truly I tell you. See note on 5.18. The least of these, here probably believers (see 10.40–42; 18.6, 14).

  25.41 Prepared for the devil. See Rev 20.10.

  MATTHEW 26

  The Plot to Kill Jesus

  1When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

  3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5But they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.”

  The Anointing at Bethany

  6Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,a 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, “Why this waste? 9For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.” 10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13Truly I tell you, wherever this good newsb is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

  Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

  14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

  The Passover with the Disciples

  17On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

  20When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve;c 21and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” 25Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

  The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

  26While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is my blood of thed covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

  30When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

  Peter’s Denial Foretold

  31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,

  ‘I will strike the shepherd,

  and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

  32But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” 34Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.

  Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

  36Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and pra
yed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” 40Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;e the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

  The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

  47While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 51Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” 55At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.