Matthew 24:40Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The mention of the two who are milling further signifies their lack of expectancy concerning His return. Both diligent workers and those who are idle—a representation of every possible circumstance—are addressed, much like the declaration in the Old Testament, from the firstborn of Pharaoh seated on his throne to the firstborn of the maidservant at the millstone (Ex. 11:5). While Christ pointed out the difficulty for the wealthy to attain salvation, He reassures us that not all will be lost among them, nor will all the poor be condemned; rather, from both groups, some will find salvation while others will be lost. I also perceive a suggestion here that His return will happen at night. This is affirmed by Luke the evangelist (See Luke 17:34). Do you recognize how thoroughly Christ understands all circumstances?

Regarding those grinding grain, as mentioned in Matthew 24:41, they signify the state of the world. The two on the roof symbolize those in positions of authority—judges, rulers, and leaders. There exists both a just and an unjust judge; the righteous will be delivered from adversity, whereas the wicked will be left behind.

In the fields are the common folk—working men and women from varied backgrounds, with some being righteous and others not. The just may endure trials, while the unjust are set aside in judgment. The act of grinding symbolizes the multitude of individuals, particularly women, who carry burdens and may conclude their lives in frailty. Among them are both virtuous and unvirtuous wives, as well as righteous and unrighteous servants. Illustrations of the righteous include Job and Lazarus, while Cain and Gehazi epitomize the unrighteous.

Thus, when it states, “There shall be two on the bed” (Luke 17:34), it refers to their vulnerability, where the righteous meet their end while the unrighteous remain abandoned. The fate of the righteous is described by Paul, who says, “He that dwelleth in the Lord shall be caught up in the clouds... and shall be with the Lord forever” (1 Thess. 4:17). The fate of the unrighteous is different, as angels will gather the chosen from the four corners of the earth (Matt. 24:31), while the wicked face judgment by eternal fire (Matt. 3:12).

It should not be assumed that this eternal torment is akin to physical fire ignited by earthly agents, as some misguided souls might think. Instead, consider Sodom’s destruction and the furnace devoid of wood. Reflect on the transformation of Lot’s wife, witnessing the severe judgment. During that time, Lot and his daughters were spared from devastation, while his wife faced the consequences. The divine judgement allocated to each individual their respective destiny. In the final judgment, the righteous may suffer loss similar to Lot, while the unrighteous, like his wife, will be condemned. Thus, as the Scripture explains, “There shall be two in the village…”

In Luke 17:34, it is expressed differently: "There shall be two on the bed: one shall be taken, and the other shall be left behind; there shall be two grinding together: one shall be taken, and the other shall be left," illustrating those on the bed as leading a tranquil existence and those grinding as enduring hardship. This concept has been articulated in various ways, first in Luke, then in Matthew. The "field" symbolizes the world, which separates the saved from the condemned. It is vital to recognize that both the rich and the poor, along with servants and masters, are subject to being chosen or left behind. Christ has emphasized that not all the wealthy face ruin, nor do all the poor experience salvation. Therefore, He urges, "Watch ye therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord cometh." However, He did not specify a day, intending for them to remain perpetually prepared for battle.

We are in a constant state of transformation; various images emerge within us, but we grind through them. Some are taken away, while others are left, as is evidently the case. From Adam until now, people have been vanishing, with some being taken by death and others remaining. At the end times, it will happen that some will die up to that moment and others will remain, and in an instant, they will all transition to incorruption. As the esteemed Apostle declared, "I tell you this mystery: we shall not all die, but we shall all be changed in an instant, at the last trumpet's sound." Therefore, those who die now are, as it were, taken away by the millstones, while the others remain. For the call goes out to all, through God's trumpet, summoning everyone who has fallen asleep throughout all time. The faithful and unwavering Lord will then preside and judge, rewarding each according to his deeds. As the divine Apostle wrote, "For patience, good works..."

The reapers signify the relentless cycle of life and its tumultuous activities, much like the continual motion of the millstones. We experience constant transformation, and within us various images are constantly shifting; yet we are grinding within them. Indeed, some are taken, and others are left, as is clearly evident. From Adam until now, there have been those who are taken by death and those who remain. At the end, some will die at this very moment, while others will remain, and in an instant, all will experience a change into incorruption. As the esteemed Apostle expressed, ‘I tell you this mystery, we shall not all die, but we shall all be indivisibly changed in a moment, when the last trumpet is blown.’ Thus, those who die now are, in a sense, taken away by the millstones, while the others are left. Everyone is summoned by the trumpet of God, all who have fallen asleep throughout all time. Promptly, the truthful and faithful Lord will preside and judge, rewarding each according to the deeds each has accomplished. As the divine Apostle reminded us, ‘For patience, good works...’

This holds true for those grinding at the mill, representative of the works of the law. Only a fraction of the Jewish people, like Elijah, accepted through the apostles that righteousness comes by faith. Some will be taken due to their faith leading to good deeds, whereas others will be left behind for their unfruitful works of the law; those laboring in vain at the millstones will never attain the bread of heaven. The two reclining in bed symbolize the Lord's rest following His suffering, a truth acknowledged by both the faithful and the heretics. However, when the doctrine of the true faith proclaims the unity of the Father and the Son, known as their divine nature, the erroneous teachings of heretics disrupt this unity through various slanders. Consequently, one of those reclining will be taken, and the other will be left. In affirming one and denying the other, God's judgment will make known the worth of both.

When we apply these concepts to the end of the age, it suggests that one will be ushered into the kingdom, whereas the other is left to face his destiny. In a broader sense, it illustrates that this will happen to everyone in ways that are unforeseen and beyond expectation.

This gathering will occur with such swiftness that if, for instance, two individuals are working in the field and one, as part of the elect, is taken, the other left behind will be so astonished by the immediacy of the event that he will be unable to comprehend what has transpired. The same astonishment will be experienced by the woman who remains at the grinding stone when her companion is taken from her.

- This stands as the authoritative message of the Lord. Be cautious, for if your hearts become burdened with gluttony, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, that day may unexpectedly arrive upon you, much like a snare to all who dwell on the earth: therefore, be watchful at all times and pray, so that you may be able to escape all that is to come and to stand before the Son of Man. The Lord made it clear what is crucial for understanding, so as not to be swept away by the tide of careless indulgence. Just as in the days of Noah, so too will be the arrival of the Son of Man: for, in those days before the flood, people were eating, drinking, marrying, and being given in marriage until the day Noah entered the ark—they remained unaware until the deluge came and swept them all away. Likewise, the coming of the Son of Man will be. At that time, two will be in the field: one will be taken, and the other left behind; two will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken, and one will remain. Earlier, the Lord cautioned His disciples about the suddenness of His return for the final judgment, indicating both the timing of the night and the importance of preparation. Reiterating the prediction, He encouraged His devoted followers to maintain a steadfast and continual watchfulness for the culmination of the age: ‘Watch ye, for ye know not what hour your Lord will come.’ To emphasize the need for vigilance in anticipation of His return and the dire consequences of neglecting the essential duty of the soul's salvation, the Lord recalled His teaching about servants awaiting their master’s return, which He had shared previously.