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Matthew 24 Bible study: Watch therefore
The word behind coming in the disciples' question, parousia, is in no other Gospel: Matthew has it four times, all in this chapter (24:3, 24:27, 24:37, 24:39). And Jesus's answer doesn't stop where the chapter does: in the WEB his words run on to the end of 25:46.
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“Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.”
Try it · Did you catch it?
“In Matthew, Jesus's answer on the Mount of Olives goes on into chapter 25.”
Is that in Matthew 24, or not? Make your call.
What's really going on
"What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?"
"Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple." (24:1). He answers, "You see all of these things, don’t you? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone on another, that will not be thrown down." (24:2). Then "As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”" (24:3) (tap coming, end). Favor's Mark 13 sets the three Gospels' tellings of this question side by side in Three Gospels on the Mount of Olives, and asks whether Jesus, in his answer, is speaking of the temple's stones, of his coming, or of both. It gives three readings, each resting on its verses, and chooses none. Matthew's telling of the answer sits inside that same question, "this generation" (24:34) and the days of Noah (24:36-44) among it, and this chapter doesn't ask it again or answer it. Here is what almost everyone misses: the word behind coming in their question, parousia, is in no other Gospel. Matthew has it four times, all in this chapter: in the question (24:3), and three times in Jesus's answer, "so will the coming of the Son of Man be" (24:27, 24:37, 24:39). These notes draw nothing from it beyond where it stands, and name no date, event, nation or year.
Where the Old Testament leads here
As the days of Noah were
Genesis 6:13leads toMatthew 24:37-39
Jesus says, "As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." People went on eating, drinking and marrying "until the day that Noah entered into the ship", and didn't know until the flood came.
Honest questions
Questions people ask about Matthew 24
That was a taste
The rest of Matthew 24 is waiting in Favor
- "Be careful that no one leads you astray"
- As the days of Noah were
- Beside Mark and Luke
- 22 questions as you read
- 13 more Greek words
- A short check at the end
- Your notes, saved as you go
Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach Matthew 24 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.
The Greek word behind it
παρουσίαparousiasay par-oo-SEE-ah
Strong's: "a being near, i.e. advent". Thayer gives "the presence of one coming, hence, the coming, arrival, advent". It is the disciples' word: "What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?" (24:3). And it is Jesus's word three times in his answer: "so will the coming of the Son of Man be" (24:27, 24:37, 24:39). Matthew's Greek has it only in these four verses, and no other Gospel has it (counted in RP2018). Mark's and Luke's tellings of the question are worded differently (Mark 13:4; Luke 21:7), and Favor's Mark 13 sets the three side by side.
For your group
Matthew 24 Bible study questions
- 1Jesus says, "Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold." (24:12). What helps keep your love for God and for the people around you from growing cold?
- 2Jesus asks, "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?" (24:45). What is one ordinary task in front of you this week that you want to do faithfully?
- 3"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (24:35). Which words of Jesus do you most want to hold on to this week, and why?
Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Matthew 24 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.
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Questions
What is Favor?
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.
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Your first week is free. After that it's $10 a month per person, the same for everyone, including groups and churches. There are no tiers and nothing extra to unlock.
Can I read Matthew 24 straight away?
Matthew is open from your first day, and its chapters open one after another, so you'll reach Matthew 24 with everything before it in view. You can read the text of any chapter in Favor's Look up whenever you like.
Do I need a group?
No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.
I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?
Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.
Which Bible does Favor use?
The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.
Is Favor tied to a church?
No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home