Matthew 24:37

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

But {G1161} as {G5618} the days {G2250} of Noe {G3575} were, so {G3779} shall {G2071} also {G2532} the coming {G3952} of the Son {G5207} of man {G444} be {G2071}.

For the Son of Man's coming will be just as it was in the days of Noach.

As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.

And as were the days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of man.

Context of Matthew 24:37

Matthew 24:37 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' extensive discourse on the Mount of Olives, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25). In this discourse, Jesus responds to His disciples' questions about the destruction of the temple and the signs of His coming and the end of the age. After describing various signs like wars, famines, and persecutions, and emphasizing that the exact day and hour of His return are unknown even to Him (Matthew 24:36), Jesus draws a striking comparison to the time of Noah.

This verse, along with its parallels in Luke 17:26-30, serves to illustrate the *manner* of His second coming, emphasizing its unexpectedness and the state of humanity immediately prior to it, rather than providing specific chronological signs.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Suddenness and Unexpectedness: The primary message of Matthew 24:37 is that the return of Jesus Christ, the "Son of man," will be sudden and unexpected for the vast majority of the world, much like the great flood came upon humanity in Noah's day. People were living their daily lives—eating, drinking, marrying—without heed to the impending judgment.
  • Complacency and Unpreparedness: The pre-flood world is depicted as being engrossed in ordinary activities, oblivious to God's impending judgment (Genesis 6:5-7). This serves as a stark warning against spiritual complacency and highlights the danger of being caught unprepared for the Lord's return.
  • Divine Judgment: Just as the flood was a decisive act of divine judgment against a wicked generation, the coming of the Son of Man will also usher in a time of ultimate judgment and separation.
  • The Certainty of Christ's Return: Despite the unknown timing, the comparison to Noah's flood underscores the absolute certainty of the Son of Man's return, just as the flood undeniably occurred.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Son of man" (Greek: ho huios tou anthrōpou) is Jesus' most frequent self-designation throughout the Gospels. It is a significant messianic title derived from Daniel 7:13-14, where a figure "like the Son of man" approaches the Ancient of Days and is given everlasting dominion. In Matthew 24, Jesus uses this title to refer to His glorious, authoritative return in judgment and power.

The name "Noe" is the King James Version's transliteration of Noah, the patriarch who built the ark and was saved with his family from the global flood described in Genesis.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful call to spiritual vigilance and readiness for all who believe in Jesus Christ. It encourages believers to:

  • Live Watchfully: Do not become so engrossed in the routines and concerns of daily life that you lose sight of eternal realities and the imminent return of Christ.
  • Prioritize Spiritual Preparedness: Unlike those in Noah's day who perished, believers are called to live righteously, obey God's commands, and be found faithful when the Lord returns. This involves a continuous walk with God, not just a one-time decision.
  • Share the Gospel: The stark warning of sudden judgment also implies a responsibility to share the good news of salvation, so that others might not be caught unprepared for the coming judgment.

Matthew 24:37 reminds us that while we do not know the day or hour, the manner of Christ's return will be decisive and will expose the spiritual state of humanity, calling all to urgent repentance and faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 17:26

    And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

  • Luke 17:27

    They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

  • Genesis 6:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

  • Genesis 6:7

    And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

  • 2 Peter 2:5

    And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

  • Hebrews 11:7

    By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

  • 2 Peter 3:6

    Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
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