Matthew 24:31 Prophecy of the Second Coming
Matthew 24:31 describes the gathering of the elect at the time of the Son of Man's coming: "He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other" [1]. This verse is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, which addresses the destruction of the temple and the signs of the end times [5].
The broader context of Matthew 24:31 is Jesus' predictions about his second coming and the events leading up to it [4]. The disciples had asked Jesus about the timing of these events, and Jesus' discourse provides a series of signs and warnings [5]. While some interpretations suggest that the preceding verses (Matthew 24:29-31) refer to God's judgment on Jerusalem in AD 70, using apocalyptic imagery, others understand them as a direct reference to the second coming of Christ at the end of history [5]. The "coming of the Son of Man" is a key theme, often associated with his vindication and judgment [6]. The "second coming" is a concept found throughout scripture, referred to by various names such as "the appearing of Jesus Christ" or "the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" [3].
A significant interpretive decision in Matthew 24:31 concerns the identity of the "angels" (Greek angeloi). Some scholars believe this refers to literal angels who will gather God's people [7]. This aligns with other passages that speak of angels accompanying the Son of Man in glory [2]. Another view suggests that angeloi could refer to human messengers, implying the spread of the Gospel among Gentiles [7]. This interpretation draws parallels with other biblical uses of angeloi to mean "messengers" [7].
The "great sound of a trumpet" is a significant detail. In biblical tradition, trumpets often signal important divine events, such as the giving of the Law or the announcement of judgment [7]. The gathering of the "chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other" emphasizes the universal scope of this event, indicating that the elect will be gathered from all corners of the earth [1]. This imagery underscores the comprehensive nature of the final ingathering of God's people.
Sources
- Matthew “He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. -- Matthew 24:31”
- Matthew “Matthew 25:31 (YLT) — `And whenever the Son of Man may come in his glory, and all the holy messengers with him, then he shall sit upon a throne of his glory;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Second Coming of Christ, The — Time of, unknown -- Mt 24:36; Mr 13:32. Called the Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. -- Ac 3:19. Times of restitution of all things. -- Ac 3:21; Ro 8:21. Last time. -- 1Pe 1:5. Appearing of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:7. Revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:13. Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour. -- Tit 2:13. Coming of the day of God. -- 2Pe 3:12. Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1Co 1:8. Foretold by Prophets. -- Da 7:13; Jude 1:14. Himself. -- Mt 25:31; Joh 14:3. Apostles. -- Ac 3:20; 1Ti 6:14. Angels. -- A”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 24:37: 24:37–25:46 Jesus now applied his predictions (24:1-36) to his followers so they will be faithful and prepared for his second coming. 24:37-41 Jesus’ second coming, like the flood (Gen 7), will come upon people unawares. The only adequate preparation is a life of consistent vigilance and obedience (cp. Luke 17:26-27, 34-35). 24:37 When the Son of Man returns: Jesus’ second coming (see 24:3; cp. Luke 17:26). • in Noah’s day (see Gen 6:9-22; 2 Pet 2:5; 3:5-6): The comparison here does not concern the magnitude of sins, but a lack of discernment about what God is d”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 24:29: 24:29-31 These sayings form the climax of the discourse and answer the second of the disciples’ initial questions (see 24:3). Some take 24:29-31 to refer to God’s judgment on the Jewish people in AD 70, using apocalyptic images and metaphors to describe it. Others see a reference to the second coming of Christ at the end of history. 24:29 the sun will be darkened . . . will be shaken: This phenomenon can be taken literally, as befitting the climactic self-disclosure of God’s Son, or metaphorically, as for a cosmically significant event (see Acts 2:17-21; Heb 12:”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 24:30: 24:30 the sign that the Son of Man is coming (literally the sign of the Son of Man): The sign is probably the Son of Man himself (see 12:38-42; 16:4). His coming expresses his vindication (see 26:64) and will bring deep mourning to those who experience God’s judgment. • All the peoples of the earth could be translated all the tribes of the land. The term used here is not the usual Greek term for Gentile nations (ethnoi), but a term used frequently of the tribes (phulai) of Israel (the land), suggesting that a national disaster in Israel might be in view (see 21:”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 24:31: 24:31 Many believe that the rapture of God’s people through angels (13:41; 16:27; 25:31) is predicted here. Others believe that angels (Greek angeloi, “messengers”) here are human messengers (11:10; Luke 7:24; 9:52; Jas 2:25) and that Jesus is describing the expansion of the Good News among Gentiles (see Matt 21:33-46; 22:1-14; Deut 30:1-10; Isa 27:13; Zech 2:6-13).”