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Mat_25:41. Οἱ κατηραμένοι ] opposite of οἱ εὐλογημένοι . This consigning to everlasting destruction is also a reality, and the doing of God. But the words τοῦ πατρός μου are omitted this time, because the idea of πατήρ accords only with the loving act of blessing. The divine κατάρα , is the effect of holy wrath and the consequence of human guilt.
τὸ ἡτοιμασμένον ] not this time ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου ; this the hearer knew as matter of course. The Rabbins are not agreed as to whether Gehenna, any more than paradise and the heavenly temple, came into existence before or after the first day of creation. See the passages in Wetstein. From our passage nothing can be determined one way or another, especially as it is not the aorist participle that is made use of. Observe, however, that, in this instance, Jesus does not follow up ἡτοιμασμ . with ὑμῖν , as in Mat_25:34, but with τῷ διαβόλῳ , κ . τ . λ .; because the fall of the angels (Jud_1:6; 2Pe_2:4), which Scripture everywhere presupposes in its doctrine of the devil and his kingdom (Hahn, Theol. d. N. T. I. p. 313 ff.), took place previous to the introduction of sin among men (Joh_8:44; 2Co_11:3), so that it was for the former in the first instance that the everlasting fire was prepared; comp. Mat_8:29. But as men became partakers in the guilt of demons, so now are they also condemned to share in their punishment. For ἄγγελοι τοῦ διαβ ., comp. 2Co_12:7; Rev_12:7.