Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 24:4-28

"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for [these things] must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places. But all these things are the beginning of travail. Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name`s sake. And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come. When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains: let him that is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house: and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath: for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect`s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe [it] not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand. If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe [it] not. For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man. Wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together." — Matthew 24:4-28 (ASV)

The disciples had asked concerning the times, "When should these things be?" Christ gave them no answer to that; but they had also asked, "What shall be the sign?" This question He answers fully. The prophecy first concerns events near at hand: the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish church and state, the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of Christ's kingdom in the world. However, it also looks to the general judgment and, toward the close, points more particularly to the latter.

What Christ here said to His disciples tended more to promote caution than to satisfy their curiosity, and more to prepare them for the events that would happen than to give a distinct idea of those events. This is that good understanding of the times which all should desire, from which to infer what Israel ought to do. Our Savior cautions His disciples to stand on their guard against false teachers.

And He foretells wars and great commotions among nations. From the time that the Jews rejected Christ, and He left their house desolate, the sword never departed from them. See what comes of refusing the gospel. Those who will not hear the messengers of peace will be made to hear the messengers of war. But where the heart is fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in peace and is not afraid.

It is against the mind of Christ that His people should have troubled hearts, even in times of trouble. When we look forward to the eternity of misery that awaits the obstinate refusers of Christ and His gospel, we may truly say, "The greatest earthly judgments are but the beginning of sorrows." It is comforting that some will endure even to the end. Our Lord foretells the preaching of the gospel in all the world.

The end of the world will not be until the gospel has done its work. Christ foretells the ruin coming upon the people of the Jews; and what He said here would be of use to His disciples, for their conduct and for their comfort. If God opens a door of escape, we should make our escape; otherwise, we do not trust God but tempt Him. It becomes Christ's disciples, in times of public trouble, to be much in prayer. Prayer is never out of season, but it is especially seasonable when we are distressed on every side.

Though we must accept what God sends, we may still pray against sufferings. It is very trying to a good man to be taken by any work of necessity from the solemn service and worship of God on the Sabbath day. But here is one word of comfort: that for the elect's sake these days will be made shorter than their enemies designed, who would have cut all off if God, who used these foes to serve His own purpose, had not set bounds to their wrath. Christ foretells the rapid spreading of the gospel in the world.

It is plainly seen as the lightning. Christ preached His gospel openly. The Romans were like an eagle, and the ensign of their armies was an eagle. When a people, by their sin, make themselves as loathsome carcasses, nothing can be expected but that God should send enemies to destroy them. It is very applicable to the day of judgment, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in that day (2 Thessalonians 2:1). Let us give diligence to make our calling and election sure; then we may know that no enemy or deceiver will ever prevail against us.