PER303

Encouragement to Vigilance

This article studies Jesus' call to vigilance, delivered on the Mount of Olives, stressing the uncertainty of his return and the need for an active and faithful watchfulness on the part of believers.

7 min vigilance return of Jesus discourse Mount of Olives 10 verses 4 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 21.25-28 (King James Version)

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: The opposite Jerusalem

Date: Wednesday, March 30, AD 33, in the evening

Method: We continue with Mark

Note on the method: Matthew and Luke also record this passage

The Messiah Jesus on the delivers a discourse on the end times and adds an encouragement to vigilance.

Comments

The Messiah Jesus seems to have spent the evening on the , where, according to the authors of the Synoptic Gospels, he addressed several themes in an apparently long and profound discourse.

The temperature must have been mild, for we are two days before the Passover, and therefore after the spring equinox of March 21. They could light a wood fire to warm themselves (Mark 14.66-67, Luke 22.55-56, John 18.18). It seems that the Messiah Jesus wished to live these moments of intimacy with his apostles, fully aware that his passion and death were near.

This passage of the Messiah Jesus' discourse on the highlights the uncertainty of the time of his return and calls for constant vigilance. The Messiah Jesus insists that no one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels of heaven, but only the Father, which underscores divine sovereignty and the need for believers to live in active expectation.

The images of the flood in the days of Noah and of the master of the house surprised by the thief show that the return of the Son of Man will come suddenly and unexpectedly, inviting everyone to prepare spiritually without ceasing.

The discourse exhorts to faithfulness, prayer and sobriety, so as not to be caught unprepared when the Lord comes. This message of vigilance runs through the Gospels and finds its fulfillment in the Christian hope of the glorious return of Christ. (Matthew 24.36-44, Mark 13.32-37, Luke 21.25-28, John 3.16-17).

Encouragement à la vigilance. Cet article étudie l'appel de Jésus à la vigilance, prononcé sur le mont des Oliviers, insistant sur l'incertitude de son retour et la nécessité d'une attente active et fidèle des croyants. Commentaires. Le Messie Jésus semble avoir passé la soirée sur le mont des Oliviers, où, selon les auteurs des Évangiles synoptiques, il aborda plusieurs thèmes lors d’un discours apparemment long et profond. La température devait être douce, car nous sommes à deux jours de la Pâque, donc après l’équinoxe de printemps du 21 mars. Il leur était possible d’allumer un feu de bois pour se réchauffer (Marc 14, versets 66 à 67, Luc 22, versets 55 à 56, Jean 18, verset 18). Il paraît que le Messie Jésus ait voulu vivre ces moments d’intimité avec ses apôtres, pleinement conscient de la proximité de sa passion et de sa mort. Ce passage du discours du Messie Jésus sur le mont des Oliviers met en lumière l’incertitude du moment de son retour et appelle à une vigilance constante. Le Messie Jésus insiste sur le fait que nul ne connaît ni le jour ni l’heure, pas même les anges du ciel, mais seulement le Père, ce qui souligne la souveraineté divine et la nécessité pour les croyants de vivre dans une attente active. Les images du déluge à l’époque de Noé et du maître de maison surpris par le voleur montrent que le retour du Fils de l’homme surviendra de manière soudaine et inattendue, invitant chacun à se préparer spirituellement sans relâche. Le discours exhorte à la fidélité, à la prière et à la sobriété, afin de ne pas être pris au dépourvu lorsque le Seigneur viendra. Ce message de vigilance traverse les Evangiles et trouve son accomplissement dans l’espérance chrétienne du retour glorieux du Christ. (Matthieu 24, versets 36 à 44, Marc 13, versets 32 à 37, Luc 21, versets 25 à 28, Jean 3, versets 16 à 17).