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Explanation for:
Matthew
24
:
44
Wherefore be you also ready, because at what hour you know not the Son of man will come.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He elaborates further on why the specific time of the end remains unknown, as previously stated, not by angels nor by Himself, but solely by the Father. This is because it is unnecessary for the apostles to have that knowledge. He uses the analogy of a household master, representing Himself, and the dedicated servants, symbolizing the apostles, to reassure those who are anxious; with the promise of eventual reward, they are encouraged to diligently provide for their fellow workers with the nourishment of divine teaching in its appointed time."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Following His mention of judgment, He ultimately addresses the teachers, discussing consequences and blessings. After initially reflecting on the destiny of the righteous, He shifts focus to the fate of the wicked, aiming to instill a sense of urgency among His listeners. He begins by asking, “Who then is that faithful and wise servant, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing! Truly I say to you, that he will make him ruler over all his possessions.” Tell me, do these statements imply His lack of awareness? If you argue that His proclamation, “But of that day and hour knows no one, not even the Son” (Mark 13:32), suggests ignorance regarding the final day, what do you propose concerning His inquiry, “For who is he?” Is it possible to assert that He lacks knowledge in this regard? Certainly not. No one in their right mind would claim this: in one instance, one could conjure a rationale, but here none exists. What about His question, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” (John 21:15)? Was He unaware of this as well? Or how about when He asked, “Where have you laid him?” (John 11:34)? Such questioning mirrors inquiries from God the Father, who asks, “Where are you, Adam?” (Gen. 3:9) and acknowledges the outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah. He states, “I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know” (Genesis 18:20-21). Additionally, it is revealed, “And whether they will hear or whether they will refuse” (Ezek. 2:5). In the Gospel, He foretells of the shame they will feel regarding His Son (Luke 20:13). Such phrases might suggest ignorance. However, God expressed these words not from ignorance, but rather to serve His greater purpose. With Adam, He questioned to encourage repentance for sin; regarding the people of Sodom, it serves as a lesson against premature judgments without understanding the circumstances; with the prophet, it warns against thoughts that could lead to disobedience; in the Gospel parable, it illustrates the expectation to honor the Son; here, it aims to curb undue curiosity while highlighting the significance of the issue. \\n\\nFurthermore, contemplate what kind of ignorance these expressions imply if He does not recognize who He appoints. He designates the servant as blessed — “Blessed is that servant” — yet does not identify who the servant is, instead asking, “Who then is the servant whom the Lord will appoint?” It’s noteworthy that this blessing pertains not just to a single possession but encompasses every word, capacity, gift, and obligation each person holds. This parable can also apply to civil leaders: every individual should employ their abilities for the benefit of the community. Whether one possesses wisdom or authority, whether affluent or blessed in other ways, one must not utilize their gifts to harm others or for self-destruction. The Saviour expects two traits from the servant in the parable: wisdom and faithfulness, since sin arises from folly. He is considered faithful because he does not squander his master's resources or act frivolously; he is wise because he knows how to manage the entrusted assets properly. We too require both qualities to ensure we do not misappropriate what rightfully belongs to the Lord and to adequately use what has been generously given to us. Lacking either quality results in imperfection. A faithful servant who refrains from theft yet squanders resources on trivialities is at fault. Conversely, one who adeptly manages an estate while being dishonest is guilty as well. Those among us with wealth should heed this, as Christ's words pertain not only to teachers but also to the wealthy. Both groups have been given their resources; teachers hold what is more essential, while the rich possess what is comparatively less so. If educators are extravagant with more significant resources, and you fail to be generous even in minor matters—while not only being generous but grateful for the gifts entrusted to you—what justification could you possibly offer? However, before we discuss the penalties awaiting the unrighteous, let us understand the rewards for those who act righteously. Truly I say to you, that he will be appointed over all his possessions. What could rival such an honor? What language could capture the dignity and joy of a mortal whom the King of Heaven, to whom all things belong, elevates to prominence over all His goods? For this reason, he is called wise, as he knows not to squander the great for the trivial; by exercising wisdom here, he is rewarded with eternal life."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What is this situation? Does the soul remain unaware when a thief enters it through its vulnerabilities? Indeed, it remains oblivious until it is led astray into wrongdoing. Therefore, the soul must be vigilant and guard all its entry points. The mouth should engage in righteous discourse, the ears should be attuned to divine messages, the eyes should witness the wondrous creations of God, and the mind should dwell on spiritual matters. It is insufficient simply to refrain from speaking evil, hearing it, seeing it, or contemplating it. Neglecting to embrace goodness while shunning evil effectively opens the door to both harmful spirits and virtuous ones. One who dismisses evil yet fails to welcome good maintains open access, making it easy for the enemy to intrude. Consequently, the gates of the soul of the righteous must not only be devoid of evil but must also be occupied with goodness to prevent any opportunity for wrongdoing.\\n\\nWhy is the hour of a person’s passing concealed from them? Clearly, it is so that they may perpetually strive to do good, remaining prepared for departure at any instant. Similarly, the day of Christ’s return is veiled from the world for the very purpose that each generation may live in anticipation of His coming. When Christ’s disciples inquired, \\"Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?\\" He responded, \\"It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has set in His own authority (Acts 1:6-7).\\" However, you are aware that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief would arrive, he would have remained vigilant and prevented his household from being disturbed. The master of the house symbolizes the human soul, the thief represents the devil, the house stands for the body, while the mouth and ears serve as doors, and the eyes function as windows. Just as a thief enters through doors and windows to bring ruin, so too does the devil find easy access to the human soul through the mouth, ears, and eyes – seeking to ensnare it. Thus, Jeremiah declared, \\"For death has come up through our windows (Jeremiah 9:21).\\" If you wish to be secure, fortify your door—meaning, instill the fear of God in your speech through adherence to His law. In this way, I echo the Psalmist: \\"I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep a tight rein on my mouth (Psalm 88:2).\\""},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"...because the timing is unknown to you. Regarding the conclusion of the entire world, it is understood that the Lord will return at that moment; however, concerning the end of each individual, some believe that at the demise of every believer, the Lord will manifest alongside the holy angels, and at that time, the soul will respond; others interpret His personal coming as the decree that separates the soul from the body. In light of the impending Judgment, He directs His words to the instructors and states:"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Be prepared to encounter your Lord at any moment, for the exact timing of His arrival remains unknown to you. In fact, it is precisely because of this uncertainty that vigilance is necessary; He could return when you least expect it: \\"FOR WHAT HOUR YOU DON'T THINK, THE SON OF MAN WILL COME.\\" St. Chrysostom remarked that had individuals the knowledge of their death's timing, they might focus solely on that day. Consequently, to ensure that people consider more than just the moment of their passing, Jesus Christ has not disclosed the timing of either the final culmination or individual deaths. He desires continual anticipation of His return, making this a matter deserving of constant attention. To facilitate this, He has veiled the moment of each person's life conclusion. Here, He explicitly identifies Himself as Lord, a title He had not previously used so directly. This serves as another admonishment toward the indifferent, highlighting that they prioritize their material possessions over their spiritual well-being—unlike those who vigilantly guard against a thief. The latter remain alert, ensuring nothing is taken from their supplies. Yet, as Christ points out, while you are aware that the Lord will surely return, you remain unprepared and inattentive, risking the arrival of death upon you without warning. The fate of the apathetic is grim; just as a wealthy individual could evade robbery by knowing the thief's timing, so too could you have safeguarded yourself had you been prepared. Anticipating Christ’s return is akin to servants awaiting their master. Picture a scenario where a master departs on a journey, entrusting his household to his servants, assigning each to their responsibilities."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Prepare yourselves for the arrival of the Lord at any moment, for you are unaware of, or perhaps because you are unaware of, the specific day and hour of His coming; He may arrive at a time when you least expect it."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In this teaching, Jesus Christ emphasizes to His disciples the unexpected nature of His Second Coming. He mentions it multiple times, cautioning against complacency and attachment to earthly pursuits and possessions. Instead, He urges them to remain vigilant in spirit and to always be prepared to greet Him with a pure heart. If a homeowner were aware of the exact time a thief intended to break in, he would stay alert specifically during that hour. Since the timing is unknown, he must remain watchful throughout the night. Likewise, believers should be ready at all times because the Son of Man will return at an hour they do not anticipate. \\n\\nBeing ready to welcome the Savior involves not only anticipation of His return but also continuous preparation throughout one’s life. This entails readiness to stand before Him at His Final Judgment by adhering to all His commandments, living according to God’s will rather than personal desires, acknowledging past transgressions, feeling genuine remorse for sins, repenting, and resolving to avoid future sins while striving against temptation. If one stumbles morally, it is essential to rise again, reflect on one’s faults, repent anew, and earnestly seek the Lord’s mercy for forgiveness, so that one’s sins do not lead to condemnation. \\n\\nLet us remain vigilant and not deceive ourselves into thinking that the end of the world and the Last Judgment are far off, believing there is ample time to reflect on them. We do not know the day or hour when we will depart from this life, or when death will come, and after death, there is no opportunity for repentance. Therefore, we must be watchful every moment, resisting the entrapments of worldly worries and possessions. Our spirit should remain alert, protecting us from all temptations and deviations from the righteous path, ensuring that we can confidently stand before the Judgment of the Son of Man."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"That day will arrive unexpectedly, and while it will serve as a day of reward for all devoted servants, it will simultaneously be a day of reckoning for those who have not reached the fullness of their purpose and are unprepared for this momentous occasion. To further engrave this message of vigilance and faithfulness upon their hearts, and to warn them against the perils of thoughtless living and the dimming of the light of watchfulness, He shared two parables about the ten virgins and the talents, which were notable for their simplicity yet profound in their moral insights. They illustrated the day of the great judgment, when the Sovereign of Heaven would distinguish between nations and individuals, akin to how a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When the moment of the Son of Man's return remains unknown, believers are called to remain spiritually vigilant: to watch, to watch, and to pray, for the timing is uncertain. To deepen this call to spiritual alertness in the hearts of His disciples, the Lord shared a parable, depicting Himself as a master who leaves His abode, which represents the Church, to go to His Father in heaven, then returns to hold His servants accountable for their assigned tasks. Just as a man departs, entrusting his servants with responsibilities while instructing the gatekeeper to remain watchful. This command to spiritual vigilance is a perpetual directive for all Christ's followers, extending to the end of time: I say unto you, I say unto all, watch. This serves as the Lord's pivotal instruction. Be cautious, lest your hearts become burdened with indulgence and worldly anxieties, catching you off guard like a snare upon all who dwell on the earth: therefore, remain watchful at all times, praying, so that you may escape all these things and stand before the Son of Man. The Lord disclosed what is essential to understand so that we may act wisely and not be swept away by the prevailing tide of casual excess. As it was in the days of Noah, so will be the arrival of the Son of Man: people were eating and drinking, marrying and living their lives until Noah entered the ark, and they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away; this will be how the coming of the Son of Man occurs. There will be two in the field: one will be taken, and the other will be left; two will be at the mill: one will be taken, and one will be left. The Lord previously cautioned His disciples about the suddenness of His return for the final judgment, indicating not just the time of night, but also the end (Luke 17:26-30, 35-36). In reiterating this prophecy, He added an encouraging call for His devoted followers to remain perpetually vigilant as they await the final day: ‘Watch, for you do not know at what hour your Lord will come.’ To further illustrate the importance of this vigilance for His return and the grave repercussions of neglecting the soul's salvation, the Lord reminded them of the parable concerning the servants anticipating their master's arrival, which He had shared previously (Luke 12:39, 40, 42-46)."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Among the teachings of Jesus Christ, which encouraged His disciples to remain vigilant in light of the uncertainty regarding the arrival of the Son of Man, every Jewish individual has preserved unique recollections. Luke offers a succinct directive on this matter and later reflects on the life and ministry of Jesus from His regal entry into Jerusalem to the Last Supper. Mark conveys the parable of the servants and the watchman awaiting their master, while Matthew presents four distinct parables: the tale of the householder confronted by a thief, the account of the faithful and unfaithful steward (cf. Luke 12:39-48), the analogy of the wise and foolish bridesmaids, and the story of the talents, concluding with the imagery of the final judgment. The parable from Mark illustrates the Lord as a master who has left His estate, assigning each servant their respective duties and instructing the watchman to stay alert. Every servant is called to remain diligent, with the watchman vigilant, in anticipation of the master’s return. Since the exact timing of this return is unknown, they must remain watchful at all times, prepared to present themselves before the master suitably. Similarly, Jesus has established His church on earth and ascended to heaven, promising to return at a time determined by God. Each believer holds a unique role within the body of Christ, endowed with a significant purpose and responsibility to fulfill in their lifetime. As the timing of Christ's second coming remains a mystery—preceding a solemn judgment where every individual will account for their earthly actions, as well as the moment of death marking the end of their earthly tasks—it is imperative for believers to be perpetually alert and prepared to meet the coming Lord, who is the judge of the living and the dead."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord emphasized the importance of vigilance, diligence, and faithfulness among His disciples in light of their circumstances. \\"Watch therefore: for you do not know at what hour your Lord will come.\\" You have authority in the household in My absence, yet the householder remains alert, ever mindful that a thief might break in at any moment. Consider your situation following My departure, akin to that of servants entrusted with the household during the master's absence. What will happen if the master discovers his servant squandering his resources? Conversely, how blessed is the steward who, upon the master's return, is met with satisfaction from all, free from any complaints against him."}]}
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