Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - Matthew 24:32 - 24:32
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Mat_24:32 f. Cheering prospect for the disciples in the midst of those final convulsions—a prospect depicted by means of a pleasing scene taken from nature. The understanding of this passage depends on the correct interpretation (1) of τὸ θέρος , (2) of πάντα ταῦτα , and also (3) on our taking care not to supply anything we choose as the subject of ἐγγύς ἐστιν ἐπὶ θύραις .
δέ is simply μεταβατικόν .
ἀπὸ τῆς συκῆς ] the article is generic; for ἀπό , comp. on Mat_11:29. From the fig-tree, i.e. in the case of the fig-tree, see the parable ( τὴν παρ .) that is intended for your instruction in the circumstances referred to. For the article conveys the idea of your similitude; here, however, παραβολή means simply a comparison, παράδειγμα . Comp. on Mat_13:3.
καὶ τὰ φύλλα ἐκφύῃ ] and puts forth the leaves (the subject being ὁ κλάδος ). Matthaei, Fritzsche, Lachmann, Bleek, on the authority of E F G H K M V Δ , Vulg. It., write ἐκφυῇ , taking it as an aorist, i.e. et folia edita fuerint (see, in general, Kühner, I. p. 930 f.). But in that case what would be the meaning of the allusion to the branches recovering their sap? Further, it is only by taking κ . τ . φ . ἐκφύῃ as present that the strictly definite element is brought out, namely: when the κλάδος is in the act of budding.
τὸ θέρος ] is usually taken in the sense of aestas, after the Vulgate. But, according to the correct interpretation of πάντα ταῦτα , summer would be too late in the present instance, and too indefinite; nor would it be sufficiently near to accord with ἐγγύς ἐστιν ἐπὶ θύραις . Hence it is better to understand the harvest (equivalent to θερισμός , Photius, p. 86, 18) as referred to, as in Pro_26:1; Dem. 1253. 15, and frequently in classical writers; Jacobs, ad Anthol. VIII. p. 357. Comp. also Ebrard, Keim. It is not, however, the fig-harvest (which does not occur till August) that is meant, but the fruit-harvest, the formal commencement of which took place as early as the second day of the Passover season.
οὕτω κ . ὑμεῖς ] so understand ye also. For the preceding indicative, γινώσκετε , expressed what was matter of common observation, and so, in a way corresponding to the observation referred to, should ( γινώσκ . imperative) the disciples also on their part understand, etc.
ὅταν ἴδητε πάντα ταῦτα ] when ye will have seen all this. It is usual to seek for the reference of πάντα ταῦτα in the part of the passage before Mat_24:29, namely, in what Jesus has just foretold as to all the things that were to precede the second coming. But arbitrary as this is, it is outdone by those who go the length of merely picking out a few from the phenomena in question, in order to restrict the reference of πάντα ταῦτα to them; as, for example, the incrementa malignitatis (Ebrard), or the cooling of love among believers, the preaching to the Gentiles, and the overthrow of Jerusalem (Gess). If we are to take the words in their plain and obvious meaning (Mat_24:8), πάντα ταῦτα can only be understood to refer to what immediately precedes, therefore to what has been predicted, from that epoch-making Mat_24:29 on to Mat_24:31, respecting the σημεῖον of the Son of man, and the phenomena that were to accompany the second coming itself. When they shall have seen all that has been announced, Mat_24:29-31, they are to understand from it, etc.
ὅτι ἐγγύς ἐσὶ θύραις ] To supply a subject here is purely arbitrary; the Son of man has been supposed by some to be understood (Fritzsche, de Wette, Hofmann, Bleek, Weiss, Gess); whereas the subject is τὸ θέρος , which, there being no reason to the contrary, may also be extended to Mat_24:33. This θέρος is neither the second coming (Cremer), nor the judgment (Ebrard), nor the kingdom of God generally (Olshausen, Auberlen), nor even the diffusion of Christianity (Schott), but simply the harvest, understanding it, however, in the higher Messianic sense symbolized by the natural harvest (Gal_6:9; 2Co_9:6), namely, the reception in the Messianic kingdom of that eternal reward which awaits all true workers and patient sufferers. That is the joyful (Isa_9:2) and blessed consummation which the Lord encourages His disciples to expect immediately after the phenomena and convulsions that are to accompany His second advent.
On ἐπὶ θύραις without the article, see Bornemann, ad Xen. Cyr. i. 3. 2; and for the plural, see Kühner, II. 1, p. 17.