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Book of Matthew - Chapter 24 - Verse 40

24:40
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Meaning

When considering the verse "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left," it is important to understand the context in which it is found. This verse comes from the Gospel of Matthew, specifically from a discourse given by Jesus about the end times. In this discourse, Jesus speaks about the coming of the Son of Man, describing a time when the world will be in turmoil and people will be caught unawares. The imagery of two people in a field, with one being taken and the other left, has been interpreted in various ways by scholars and theologians. Some believe it refers to the division between those who are saved and those who are not, with the taken being the righteous and the left being the ungodly. Others see it as a warning to be spiritually prepared for the return of Christ, as the time of judgment will come suddenly and unexpectedly. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of being spiritually vigilant and ready for the coming of the Son of Man.

Theological Overview

When examining the theological interpretation of the verse 'Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left,' it is commonly understood as a reference to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This verse, found in the Gospel of Matthew 24:40, has been interpreted by many scholars as a warning of the final judgment, where the righteous will be separated from the unrighteous. The idea is that at the coming of the Son of Man, there will be a clear distinction between those who are saved and those who are not. This interpretation emphasizes the importance of being spiritually prepared for the return of Christ, as only those who are found worthy will be "taken" into the kingdom of God, while the others will be "left" behind.

Additionally, a word study of the phrase 'shall be taken, and the other left' reveals that the word "taken" can also be translated as "received" or "gathered," suggesting that those who are chosen by God will be gathered to Him. On the other hand, those who are "left" could imply being abandoned or rejected. This highlights the gravity of being spiritually vigilant and living a life pleasing to God, as the consequences of being unprepared for the Second Coming are great.

American Standard Version

Then shall two men be in the field; one is taken, and one is left:
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