Matthew 24:31

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

And {G2532} he shall send {G649} his {G846} angels {G32} with {G3326} a great {G3173} sound {G5456} of a trumpet {G4536}, and {G2532} they shall gather together {G1996} his {G846} elect {G1588} from {G1537} the four {G5064} winds {G417}, from {G575} one end {G206} of heaven {G3772} to {G2193} the other {G206}{G846}.

He will send out his angels with a great shofar and they will gather together his chosen people from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Commentary

Matthew 24:31 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse. It vividly describes a key event associated with the glorious return of the Son of Man following the tribulations of the end times.

Context

This verse immediately follows descriptions of cosmic disturbances and the visible appearance of Jesus Christ in power and great glory (Matthew 24:29-30). It details the immediate action Jesus will take upon His return: the gathering of His chosen people. The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21) serves as a foundational text for understanding biblical eschatology, outlining signs leading up to, and the events of, the second coming of Christ.

Key Themes

  • The Second Coming of Christ: The verse unequivocally points to the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who "shall send his angels," signifying His sovereign authority and active role in the end-time events. This gathering is a direct consequence of His physical return to Earth.
  • The Divine Gathering of the Elect: The central action is the gathering of "his elect." This refers to those whom God has chosen for salvation, His faithful followers from all generations. The scope is universal—"from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other," implying a worldwide, comprehensive collection of believers. This parallels the description found in Mark 13:27.
  • Angelic Ministry: Angels serve as God's powerful messengers and agents. Here, they are dispatched by Christ to carry out the crucial task of gathering the elect, demonstrating their active participation in divine judgment and redemption.
  • The Trumpet Call: The "great sound of a trumpet" is a significant biblical motif. In ancient Israel, trumpets announced important events, gatherings, or divine interventions. In prophetic contexts, it often signals a dramatic, divine announcement or a call to assembly, particularly associated with the resurrection and the gathering of believers at Christ's return (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "trumpet" is salpigx (σάλπιγξ), which denotes a war-trumpet or a trumpet used for summoning or announcing. Its "great sound" (μεγάλη φωνή, megalē phōnē) emphasizes the powerful, undeniable, and universally heard nature of this divine summons.
  • The term "elect" comes from the Greek eklektos (ἐκλεκτός), meaning "chosen, selected, picked out." It underscores God's sovereign choice and purpose in salvation, identifying those who belong to Him.

Practical Application

For believers, Matthew 24:31 offers immense hope and assurance. It speaks to the ultimate triumph of Christ and the secure future of His church. Amidst global turmoil and uncertain times, this verse reminds us that God's plan is unfolding, and His faithful will be supernaturally gathered and united with Him. It calls us to live with vigilance, hope, and an awareness of Christ's imminent return, finding comfort in the knowledge that God will not forget His own but will bring them safely into His eternal presence.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (24 votes)

    For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

  • Mark 13:27 (22 votes)

    And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

  • Isaiah 27:13 (19 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:52 (17 votes)

    In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

  • Isaiah 11:12 (12 votes)

    And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

  • Matthew 13:41 (11 votes)

    The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,