PER133

Parable and warning about the return of Jesus the Messiah

The article examines a parable about the return of the Messiah Jesus, emphasizing the disciples' readiness and watchfulness. Through Luke, Matthew, and Mark, it explores the need for a spiritually oriented life in the face of uncertainty about the time of the Messiah's return.

4 min parable return Messiah Jesus 4 verses 3 books

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Biblical texts

Matthew
Matthew 24.36-44 (King James Version)

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

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

Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Mark
Mark 13.32-37 (King James Version)

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Luke
Luke 12.35-40 (King James Version)

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
John
John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Bar chart for the year 31

Place: Near the house in Capernaum in Galilee.

Date: October or November AD31

Method: We follow Luke

Note on the method: Luke addresses themes already mentioned by Matthew in the Sermon on the Mount.

Capernaum

The Messiah Jesus illustrates how incompatible worries are with the life of a true disciple.

Parable and warning about the return of Jesus the Messiah

Parable and warning about the return of Jesus the Messiah

Comments

Luke analyzes a discourse delivered by the Messiah Jesus, focused on the importance of being prepared. According to Luke, it is conceivable that the pursuit of material goods and the accumulation of wealth, mentioned previously, represent an obstacle to the attitude he is now exploring.

What preparation does Luke mention? He addresses the theme of the return of Jesus the Messiah, emphasizing that this event should be the disciples' main objective. Indeed, what a person looks at influences their goals, which is precisely what Luke demonstrates. The disciple is encouraged to focus attention on the kingdom of God in order to prepare adequately for the return of Jesus the Messiah. Only this focus will make it possible to be ready for this return.

According to the information Luke provides about this return, one essential point emerges: the element of surprise. No advance warning will be given for this event, whose date remains unknown. Consequently, this text serves as a relevant warning and supports Luke's argument, urging the disciple to concentrate efforts on seeking the Kingdom of God.

It is therefore impossible to prepare specifically for this return, since its date remains unknown. This thus requires constant preparation, a life devoted to seeking the kingdom of God, and sincere conversion to the Messiah Jesus.

This passage speaks of the return of the Messiah Jesus to take his disciples, that is, the Church, with him.

Luke 12.41 shows that this passage is a . We will analyze this aspect in the next two pericopes.

Matthew and Mark will address this subject in a similar way when they record the discourse of Jesus the Messiah on the temple esplanade.

It seems that Jesus the Messiah frequently addressed the same themes in various contexts and on various occasions, probably using different wording each time.