Passage 1: Genesis 37
(Gen 37:1) Iaakob nowe dwelt in the lande, wherein his father was a stranger, in the lande of Canaan.
(Notes Reference) And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a (a) stranger, in the land of Canaan.
(a) That is, the story of such things as came to him and his family as in (Gen 5:1)
(Gen 37:2) These are the generations of Iaakob, when Ioseph was seuenteene yeere olde: he kept sheepe with his brethren, and the childe was with the sonnes of Bilhah, and with the sonnes of Zilpah, his fathers wiues. And Ioseph brought vnto their father their euill saying.
(Notes Reference) These [are] the generations of Jacob. Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad [was] with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil (b) report.
(b) He complained of the evil words and injuries which they spoke and did to him.
(Gen 37:3) Nowe Israel loued Ioseph more then all his sonnes, because he begate him in his old age, and he made him a coat of many colours.
(Gen 37:4) So when his brethren sawe that their father loued him more then all his brethren, then they hated him, and could not speake peaceably vnto him.
(Gen 37:5) And Ioseph dreamed a dreame, and told his brethren, who hated him so much the more.
(Notes Reference) And Joseph (c) dreamed a dream, and he told [it] his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
(c) God revealed to him by a dream what should come to pass.
(Gen 37:6) For he saide vnto them, Heare, I pray you, this dreame which I haue dreamed.
(Gen 37:7) Beholde nowe, wee were binding sheues in the middes of the field: and loe, my shefe arose and also stoode vpright, and behold, your sheues compassed rounde about, and did reuerence to my shefe.
(Gen 37:8) Then his brethren saide to him, What, shalt thou reigne ouer vs, and rule vs? or shalt thou haue altogether dominion ouer vs? And they hated him so much the more, for his dreames, and for his wordes.
(Notes Reference) And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they (d) hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
(d) The more God shows himself favourable to his own, the more the malice of the wicked rages against them.
(Gen 37:9) Againe hee dreamed an other dreame, and tolde it his brethren, and saide, Behold, I haue had one dreame more, and beholde, the Sunne and the Moone and eleuen starres did reuerence to me.
(Gen 37:10) Then he tolde it vnto his father and to his brethren, and his father rebuked him, and saide vnto him, What is this dreame, which thou hast dreamed? shall I, and thy mother, and thy brethren come in deede and fall on the ground before thee?
(Notes Reference) And he told [it] to his father, and to his brethren: and his father (e) rebuked him, and said unto him, What [is] this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
(e) Not despising the vision, but seeking to appease his brethren.
(Gen 37:11) And his brethren enuied him, but his father noted the saying.
(Notes Reference) And his brethren envied him; but his father (f) observed the saying.
(f) He knew that God was the author of the dream, but he did not understand the meaning.
(Gen 37:12) Then his brethren went to keepe their fathers sheepe in Shechem.
(Gen 37:13) And Israel said vnto Ioseph, Doe not thy brethren keepe in Shechem? come and I will send thee to them.
(Gen 37:14) And he answered him, I am here. Then he saide vnto him, Goe now, see whether it bee well with thy brethren, and how the flocks prosper, and bring me word againe. so hee sent him from the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
(Gen 37:15) Then a man found him: for lo, hee was wandring in the fielde, and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
(Gen 37:16) And he answered, I seeke my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they keepe sheepe.
(Gen 37:17) And the man said, they are departed hece: for I heard them say, Let vs goe vnto Dothan. Then went Ioseph after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.
(Gen 37:18) And when they sawe him a farre off, euen before he came at them, they conspired against him for to slay him.
(Notes Reference) And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near
unto them, they (g) conspired against him to slay him.
(g) The Holy Spirit does not cover the faults of men, as vain writers do, who make virtues out of vices.
(Gen 37:19) For they sayd one to another, Behold, this dreamer commeth.
(Gen 37:20) Come now therefore, and let vs slay him, and cast him into some pitte, and wee will say, A wicked beast hath deuoured him: then wee shall see, what will come of his dreames.
(Gen 37:21) But when Reuben heard that, he deliuered him out of their handes, and saide, Let vs not kill him.
(Gen 37:22) Also Reuben saide vnto them, Shed not blood, but cast him into this pitte that is in the wildernesse, and lay no hande vpon him. Thus he said, that he might deliuer him out of their hand, and restore him to his father againe.
(Gen 37:23) Now when Ioseph was come vnto his brethren, they stript Ioseph out of his coate, his particoloured coate that was vpon him.
(Gen 37:24) And they tooke him, and cast him into a pit, and the pit was emptie, without water in it.
(Notes Reference) And they took him, and cast (h) him into a pit: and the pit [was] empty, [there was] no water in it.
(h) Their hypocrisy appears in this that they feared man more than God: and thought it was not murder, if they did not shed his blood or had excuses to cover their fault.
(Gen 37:25) Then they sate them downe to eate bread: and they lift vp their eyes and looked, and behold, there came a companie of Ishmeelites from Gilead, and their camels laden with spicerie, and balme, and myrrhe, and were going to cary it downe into Egypt.
(Gen 37:26) Then Iudah said vnto his brethren, What auaileth it, if we slay our brother, though wee keepe his blood secret?
(Gen 37:27) Come and let vs sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our handes be vpon him: for he is our brother and our flesh: and his brethren obeyed.
(Gen 37:28) Then the Midianites marchant men passed by, and they drewe foorth, and lift Ioseph out of the pit, and solde Ioseph vnto the Ishmeelites for twentie pieces of siluer: who brought Ioseph into Egypt.
(Notes Reference) Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the (i) Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
(i) Moses writes according to the opinion of those who took the Midianites and Ishmaelites to be one, and here mixes their names: as also appears in (Gen 37:36, Gen 39:1) or else he was first offered to the Midianites, but sold to the Ishmaelites.
(Gen 37:29) Afterwarde Reuben returned to the pit, and beholde, Ioseph was not in the pit: then he rent his clothes,
(Gen 37:30) And returned to his brethren, and said, The childe is not yonder, and I, whither shall I goe?
(Gen 37:31) And they tooke Iosephs coate, and killed a kidde of the goates, and dipped the coate in the blood.
(Gen 37:32) So they sent that particoloured coat, and they brought it vnto their father, and saide, This haue we founde: see nowe, whether it be thy sonnes coate, or no.
(Notes Reference) And they sent the coat of [many] colours, (k) and they brought [it] to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it [be] thy son's coat or no.
(k) That is, the messengers who were sent.
(Gen 37:33) Then he knewe it and said, It is my sonnes coate: a wicked beast hath deuoured him: Ioseph is surely torne in pieces.
(Gen 37:34) And Iaakob rent his clothes, and put sackecloth about his loynes, and sorowed for his sonne a long season.
(Gen 37:35) Then all his sonnes and all his daughters rose vp to comfort him, but he woulde not be comforted, but said, Surely I will go downe into the graue vnto my sonne mourning: so his father wept for him.
(Gen 37:36) And the Midianites solde him into Egypt vnto Potiphar an Eunuche of Pharaohs, and his chiefe stewarde.
(Notes Reference) And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an (l) officer of Pharaoh's, [and] captain of the guard.
(l) Or "eunuch", which does not always signify a man that is gelded, but also someone that is in some high position.
Passage 2: Psalms 39-40
(Psa 39:1) To the excellent musician Ieduthun. I thought, I will take heede to my wayes, that I sinne not with my tongue: I will keepe my mouth brideled, while the wicked is in my sight.
(Notes Reference) "To the chief Musician, [even] to (a) Jeduthun, A Psalm of David." I said, (b) I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
(a) This was one of the chief singers, (1Ch 16:41).
(b) Although he had appointed with himself patiently to have wait for God's timing, yet the vehemency of his pain caused him to break his purpose.
(Psa 39:2) I was dumme and spake nothing: I kept silece euen from good, and my sorow was more stirred.
(Notes Reference) I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, [even] from good; (c) and my sorrow was stirred.
(c) Though when the wicked ruled he thought to have kept silence, yet his zeal caused him to change his mind.
(Psa 39:3) Mine heart was hote within me, and while I was musing, the fire kindeled, and I spake with my tongue, saying,
(Notes Reference) My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: [then] (d) spake I with my tongue,
(d) He confesses that he grudged against God, considering the greatness of his sorrows, and the shortness of his life.
(Psa 39:4) Lord, let me know mine ende, and the measure of my dayes, what it is: let mee knowe howe long I haue to liue.
(Psa 39:5) Beholde, thou hast made my dayes as an hand breadth, and mine age as nothing in respect of thee: surely euery man in his best state is altogether vanitie. Selah.
(Notes Reference) Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state [is] altogether (e) vanity. Selah.
(e) Yet David offended in that he reasoned with God as though he were too severe toward his weak creature.
(Psa 39:6) Doubtlesse man walketh in a shadowe, and disquieteth himselfe in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
(Psa 39:7) And now Lord, what wait I for? mine hope is euen in thee.
(Psa 39:8) Deliuer me from all my transgressions, and make me not a rebuke vnto the foolish.
(Notes Reference) Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the (f) foolish.
(f) Do not make me a laughing stock to the wicked, wrap me up with the wicked when they are put to shame.
(Psa 39:9) I should haue bene dumme, and not haue opened my mouth, because thou didest it.
(Notes Reference) I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because (g) thou didst [it].
(g) Seeing my troubles came from your providence, I ought to have endured them patiently.
(Psa 39:10) Take thy plague away from mee: for I am consumed by the stroke of thine hand.
(Psa 39:11) When thou with rebukes doest chastise man for iniquitie, thou as a mothe makest his beautie to consume: surely euery man is vanitie. Selah.
(Notes Reference) When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou (h) makest his (i) beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man [is] vanity. Selah.
(h) Though your open plagues do not light on them forever, yet your secret curse continually frets them.
(i) The word signifies all that he desires, as health, force, strength, beauty, and in whatever he has delight, so that the rod of God takes away all that is desired in this world.
(Psa 39:12) Heare my prayer, O Lord, and hearken vnto my cry: keepe not silence at my teares, for I am a strager with thee, and a soiourner as all my fathers.
(Psa 39:13) Stay thine anger from me, that I may recouer my strength, before I go hence and be not.
(Notes Reference) O spare me, that I may recover strength, (k) before I go hence, and be no more.
(k) For his sorrow caused him to think that God would destroy him completely, by which we see how hard it is for the saints to keep a measure in their words, when death and despair assails them.
(Psa 40:1) To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. I Waited paciently for the Lord, and he inclined vnto me, and heard my cry.
(Notes Reference) "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David." I waited (a) patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
(a) Though God deferred his help, yet he patiently abode till he was heard.
(Psa 40:2) Hee brought mee also out of the horrible pit, out of the myrie clay, and set my feete vpon the rocke, and ordered my goings.
(Notes Reference) He brought me up also out of an (b) horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings.
(b) He has delivered me from great dangers.
(Psa 40:3) And he hath put in my mouth a new song of praise vnto our God: many shall see it and feare, and shall trust in the Lord.
(Notes Reference) And he hath put (c) a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
(c) That is, a special opportunity to praise him, for God's benefits are so many opportunities for us to praise his Name.
(Psa 40:4) Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, and regardeth not the proude, nor such as turne aside to lyes.
(Notes Reference) Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth (d) not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
(d) To follow their example, which he must do who trusts not only in the Lord.
(Psa 40:5) O Lord my God, thou hast made thy wonderfull workes so many, that none can count in order to thee thy thoughts toward vs: I would declare, and speake of them, but they are moe then I am able to expresse.
(Notes Reference) Many, (e) O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.
(e) David goes from one king of God's favour to the contemplation of his providence over all, and confesses that his counsels toward us are far above our capacities, we cannot so much as tell them in order.
(Psa 40:6) Sacrifice and offering thou didest not desire: (for mine eares hast thou prepared) burnt offring and sinne offering hast thou not required.
(Notes Reference) Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; (f) mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
(f) You have opened my ears to understand the spiritual meaning of the sacrifices: and here David esteems the ceremonies of the law as nothing in respect to the spiritual service.
(Psa 40:7) Then said I, Lo, I come: for in the rolle of the booke it is written of me,
(Notes Reference) (g) Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me,
(g) When you had opened my ears and heart, I was ready to obey you, being assured that I was written in the book of your elect for this end.
(Psa 40:8) I desired to doe thy good will, O my God: yea, thy Lawe is within mine heart.
(Psa 40:9) I haue declared thy righteousnesse in the great Congregation: loe, I will not refraine my lippes: O Lord, thou knowest.
(Notes Reference) I have preached righteousness in the (h) great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
(h) In the Church assembled in the sanctuary.
(Psa 40:10) I haue not hidde thy righteousnesse within mine heart, but I haue declared thy trueth and thy saluation: I haue not conceiled thy mercy and thy trueth from the great Congregation.
(Notes Reference) I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy (i) faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
(i) David here numbers three degrees of our salvation: God's mercy, by which he pities us, his righteousness which signifies his continual protection and his truth, by which appears his constant favour, so that from this our salvation proceeds.
(Psa 40:11) Withdrawe not thou thy tender mercie from mee, O Lord: let thy mercie and thy trueth alway preserue me.
(Psa 40:12) For innumerable troubles haue compassed mee: my sinnes haue taken such holde vpon me, that I am not able to looke vp: yea, they are moe in nomber then the heares of mine head: therefore mine heart hath failed me.
(Notes Reference) For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart (k) faileth me.
(k) Concerning the judgment of the flesh, I was utterly destitute of all counsel, yet faith inwardly moved my heart to pray.
(Psa 40:13) Let it please thee, O Lord, to deliuer mee: make haste, O Lord, to helpe me.
(Psa 40:14) Let them be confounded and put to shame together, that seeke my soule to destroye it: let them be driuen backward and put to rebuke, that desire mine hurt.
(Notes Reference) Let them be (l) ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
(l) He desires that God's mercy may contend for him against the rage of his enemies.
(Psa 40:15) Let them be destroyed for a rewarde of their shame, which say vnto me, Aha, aha.
(Notes Reference) Let them be (m) desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
(m) Let the same shame and confusion come on them, which they intended to have brought on me.
(Psa 40:16) Let all them, that seeke thee, reioyce and be glad in thee: and let them, that loue thy saluation, say alway, The Lord be praysed.
(Notes Reference) Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, (n) The LORD be magnified.
(n) As the faithful always praise God for his benefits, so the wicked mocked God's children in their afflictions.
(Psa 40:17) Though I be poore and needie, the Lord thinketh on mee: thou art mine helper and my deliuerer: my God, make no tarying.
Passage 3: Matthew 24
(Mat 24:1) And Iesus went out, and departed from the Temple, and his disciples came to him, to shewe him the building of the Temple.
(Mat 24:2) And Iesus sayd vnto them, See ye not all these things? Verely I say vnto you, there shall not be here left a stone vpon a stone, that shall not be cast downe.
(Notes Reference) (1) And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
(1) The destruction of the city, and especially of the temple is foretold.
(Mat 24:3) And as he sate vpon the mount of Oliues, his disciples came vnto him apart, saying, Tell vs when these things shall be, and what signe shalbe of thy comming, and of the ende of the world.
(Mat 24:4) And Iesus answered, and sayd vnto them, Take heede that no man deceiue you.
(Notes Reference) (2) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
(2) The Church will have a continual conflict with infinite miseries and offences, and furthermore, with false prophets, until the day of victory and triumph comes.
(Mat 24:5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceiue many.
(Mat 24:6) And ye shall heare of warres, and rumours of warres: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to passe, but the end is not yet.
(Notes Reference) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the (a) end is not yet.
(a) That is, when those things are fulfilled, yet the end will not come.
(Mat 24:7) For nation shall rise against nation, and realme against realme, and there shalbe famine, and pestilence, and earthquakes in diuers places.
(Notes Reference) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in (b) divers places.
(b) Everywhere.
(Mat 24:8) All these are but ye beginning of sorowes.
(Notes Reference) All these [are] the beginning of (c) sorrows.
(c) Literally, "of great torments", just like women in childbirth.
(Mat 24:9) Then shall they deliuer you vp to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my Names sake.
(Mat 24:10) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
(Mat 24:11) And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceiue many.
(Mat 24:12) And because iniquitie shalbe increased, the loue of many shalbe colde.
(Mat 24:13) But he that endureth to the ende, he shalbe saued.
(Notes Reference) (3) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
(3) The gospel will spread abroad, angering the world and the devil ever so much: and those who continually believe will be saved.
(Mat 24:14) And this Gospel of the kingdome shalbe preached through the whole world for a witnes vnto all nations, and then shall the end come.
(Notes Reference) And this (d) gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the (e) world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(d) Joyful tidings of the kingdom of heaven.
(e) Through all that part of the world that people live in.
(Mat 24:15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, set in the holy place (let him that readeth consider it.)
(Notes Reference) (4) When ye therefore shall see the (f) abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
(4) The kingdom of Christ will not be abolished when the city of Jerusalem is utterly destroyed, but will be stretched out even to the end of the world.
(f) The abomination of desolation, that is to say, the one who all men detest and cannot abide, because of the foul and shameful filthiness of it: and he speaks of the idols that were set up in the temple, or as others think, he meant the marring of the doctrine in the Church.
(Mat 24:16) Then let them which be in Iudea, flee into the mountaines.
(Mat 24:17) Let him which is on the house top, not come downe to fetch any thing out of his house.
(Mat 24:18) And he that is in the fielde, let not him returne backe to fetch his clothes.
(Notes Reference) Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his (g) clothes.
(g) This is a sign of how great the fear will be.
(Mat 24:19) And woe shalbe to them that are with childe, and to them that giue sucke in those dayes.
(Mat 24:20) But pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.
(Notes Reference) But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the (h) sabbath day:
(h) It was not lawful to take a journey on the sabbath day; Josephus, book 13.
(Mat 24:21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not from the beginning of the worlde to this time, nor shalbe.
(Mat 24:22) And except those dayes should be shortened, there should no flesh be saued: but for the elects sake those dayes shalbe shortened.
(Notes Reference) And except (i) those days should be shortened, there should no (k) flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
(i) Those things which befell the people of the Jews in the thirty-four years, when the whole land was wasted, and at length the city of Jerusalem was taken, and both it and their temple destroyed, are mixed with those things which will come to pass before the last coming of the Lord.
(k) The whole nation would utterly be destroyed: and this word "flesh" is a figurative word for "man", as the Hebrews used to say.
(Mat 24:23) Then if any shall say vnto you, Loe, here is Christ, or there, beleeue it not.
(Mat 24:24) For there shall arise false Christes, and false prophets, and shall shewe great signes and wonders, so that if it were possible, they should deceiue the very elect.
(Notes Reference) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and (l) shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
(l) Will openly set forth great signs for men to behold.
(Mat 24:25) Beholde, I haue tolde you before.
(Mat 24:26) Wherefore if they shall say vnto you, Beholde, he is in the desert, goe not forth: Beholde, he is in the secret places, beleeue it not.
(Mat 24:27) For as the lightning commeth out of the East, and is seene into the West, so shall also the comming of the Sonne of man be.
(Mat 24:28) For wheresoeuer a dead carkeis is, thither will the Egles be gathered together.
(Notes Reference) (5) For wheresoever the (m) carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
(5) The only remedy against the furious rage of the world is that of being gathered and joined to Christ.
(m) Christ, who will come with speed; and his presence will be with a majesty to whom all will flock, just like Eagles.
(Mat 24:29) And immediatly after ye tribulations of those dayes, shall the sunne be darkened, and the moone shall not giue her light, and the starres shall fal from heauen, and ye powers of heaue shalbe shake.
(Notes Reference) (6) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
(6) Everlasting damnation will be the end of the security of the wicked, and everlasting bliss for the miseries of the godly.
(Mat 24:30) And then shall appeare the signe of the Sonne of man in heauen: and then shall all the kinreds of the earth mourne, and they shall see the Sonne of man come in the cloudes of heauen with power and great glorie.
(Notes Reference) And then shall appear the (n) sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the (o) tribes of the earth (p) mourn, and they shall see the Son of man (q) coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(n) The exceeding glory and majesty, which will bear witness that Christ the Lord of heaven and earth draws near to judge the world.
(o) All nations, and he alludes to the dispersion which we read of in (Genesis 10-11), or to the dividing of the people of Israel.
(p) They will be in such sorrow, that they will strike themselves: and it is transferred to the mourning.
(q) Sitting upon the clouds, as he was taken up into heaven.
(Mat 24:31) And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect, from the foure windes, and from the one ende of the heauens vnto the other.
(Notes Reference) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the (r) four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
(r) From the four corners of the world.
(Mat 24:32) Now learne the parable of the figge tree: when her bough is yet tender, and it putteth foorth leaues, ye knowe that sommer is neere.
(Notes Reference) (7) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet (s) tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh:
(7) If God has prescribed a certain order to nature, much more has he done so to his eternal judgments; but the wicked do not understand it, or rather they mock it: but the godly make note of it, and wait for it.
(s) When its tenderness shows that the sap which is the life of the tree has come from the roots into the bark.
(Mat 24:33) So likewise ye, when ye see all these things, know that the kingdom of God is neere, eue at ye doores.
(Mat 24:34) Verely I say vnto you, this generation shall not passe, till all these things be done.
(Notes Reference) Verily I say unto you, This (t) generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
(t) This age: the word "generation" or "age" is here being used for the men of this age.
(Mat 24:35) Heauen and earth shall passe away: but my wordes shall not passe away.
(Notes Reference) (8) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
(8) The Lord now begins the judgment, which he will finish in the latter days.
(Mat 24:36) But of that day and houre knoweth no man, no not the Angels of heauen, but my father only.
(Notes Reference) (9) But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
(9) It is sufficient for us to know that God has appointed a latter day for the restoring of all things; but when it will be is hidden from us all for our sake, so that we may be all the more watchful, so that we are not taken as those were taken in the flood years ago.
(Mat 24:37) But as the dayes of Noe were, so likewise shall the comming of the Sonne of man be.
(Mat 24:38) For as in the dayes before the flood, they did eate and drinke, marrie, and giue in mariage, vnto the day that Noe entred into the Arke,
(Notes Reference) For as in the days that were before the flood they were (u) eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
(u) The word which the evangelist uses expresses the matter more fully then ours does: for it is a word which is used of brute beasts: and his meaning is that in those days men will pay attention to their appetites just like brute beasts: for otherwise there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking.
(Mat 24:39) And knewe nothing, till the flood came, and tooke them all away, so shall also the comming of the Sonne of man be.
(Mat 24:40) Then two shall be in the fieldes, the one shalbe receiued, and the other shalbe refused.
(Notes Reference) (10) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
(10) Against those that persuade themselves that God will be merciful to all men, and do by this means give themselves over to sin, that they may in the meantime live in pleasure, void of all care.
(Mat 24:41) Two women shalbe grinding at ye mill: the one shalbe receiued, and the other shalbe refused.
(Notes Reference) (x) Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
(x) The Greek women and the barbarians ground and baked.
(Mat 24:42) Watch therefore: for ye knowe not what houre your master will come.
(Notes Reference) (11) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
(11) An example of the horrible carelessness of men in those things in which they ought to be most careful.
(Mat 24:43) Of this be sure, that if the good man of the house knewe at what watch the thiefe would come, he woulde surely watch, and not suffer his house to be digged through.
(Mat 24:44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in the houre that ye thinke not, will the Sonne of man come.
(Mat 24:45) Who then is a faithfull seruaunt and wise, whom his master hath made ruler ouer his household, to giue them meate in season?
(Mat 24:46) Blessed is that seruant, whom his master when he commeth, shall finde so doing.
(Mat 24:47) Verely I say vnto you, he shall make him ruler ouer all his goods.
(Mat 24:48) But if that euil seruant shall say in his heart, My master doth deferre his comming,
(Mat 24:49) And begin to smite his fellowes, and to eate, and to drinke with the drunken,
(Mat 24:50) That seruaunts master will come in a day, when he looketh not for him, and in an houre that he is not ware of,
(Mat 24:51) And will cut him off, and giue him his portion with hypocrites: there shalbe weeping, and gnashing of teeth.
(Notes Reference) And shall (y) cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(y) That is, from the rest, or will cut him into two pieces, which was a most cruel kind of punishment: with which, as Justin Martyr witnesses, Isaiah the Prophet was executed by the Jews: the same kind of punishment we read of in (1Sa 15:33) and (Dan 3:29).