Matthew 24:37

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 24:37, part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivers a profound warning about the manner of His second coming, likening it to the sudden and unexpected judgment of the flood in Noah's day. This verse underscores that humanity will be engrossed in ordinary life, largely oblivious to the impending divine intervention, thereby emphasizing the critical need for constant spiritual vigilance and preparedness among believers for the return of the Son of Man.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 24:37 is situated within Jesus' extensive Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), a pivotal teaching given on the Mount of Olives in response to His disciples' questions concerning the destruction of the Temple and the signs of His coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). Prior to this verse, Jesus describes various precursors to the end, such as false prophets, wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecutions, but explicitly states that the exact day and hour of His return are unknown to anyone but the Father (Matthew 24:36). The comparison to Noah's days, therefore, serves not as a chronological sign but as a vivid illustration of the *character* of His return—its suddenness, decisiveness, and the unprepared state of the world. This analogy sets the stage for further parables in Matthew 25 that stress the importance of readiness, such as the Parable of the Ten Virgins and the Parable of the Talents.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience, primarily Jewish disciples, would have been intimately familiar with the Genesis account of Noah and the flood (Genesis 6-9). This narrative was a foundational story in Jewish tradition, representing a definitive act of divine judgment and a clear demarcation in human history. The concept of a sudden, cataclysmic divine intervention was not alien, and the story of Noah served as a powerful archetype for such events. Furthermore, the title "Son of Man" (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου) held significant messianic weight, drawing from Daniel's vision of a figure endowed with everlasting dominion and glory (Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus' repeated use of this self-designation would have evoked expectations of a powerful, authoritative, and ultimately judging figure, contrasting sharply with His initial humble appearance.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Olivet Discourse and the broader New Testament eschatology. Firstly, it highlights the **suddenness and unexpectedness** of Christ's return, asserting that the world will be caught unawares, much like those in Noah's time who were engaged in daily routines until the flood came (Matthew 24:38-39). Secondly, it emphasizes the theme of **complacency and unpreparedness**, serving as a stark warning against spiritual apathy. The pre-flood world's engrossment in ordinary activities without heed to God's impending judgment (Genesis 6:5-7) serves as a paradigm for the spiritual state of humanity before the Lord's return. Thirdly, the verse underscores the **certainty of divine judgment**, just as the flood was a decisive act of judgment, so too will the coming of the Son of Man usher in a time of ultimate reckoning and separation. Finally, despite the unknown timing, the analogy to Noah's flood reinforces the **absolute certainty of Christ's return**, providing assurance that the promised advent will indeed occur, just as the flood undeniably did.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **days (Greek, _hēméra'_):** This word refers to a period of time, not just a 24-hour cycle. In the context of "the days of Noe," it signifies the entire era leading up to the flood, characterized by a particular spiritual and moral climate. Jesus uses it to describe the prevailing conditions and activities of humanity immediately preceding His return, implying a period marked by normalcy and a lack of awareness regarding divine judgment.
* **Noe (Greek, _Nōe'_):** This is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Noah (נֹחַ). His identity is crucial as the patriarch who, alone with his family, was righteous in a wicked generation and was saved through the ark from the global flood (Genesis 6:8-9). Mentioning "Noe" immediately evokes the narrative of widespread human corruption, God's sorrow, His decisive judgment, and the salvation of a faithful remnant.
* **coming (Greek, _parousía'_):** This term, derived from the present participle of πάρειμι, means "a being near," "advent," or "presence." In New Testament eschatology, _parousía_ specifically denotes the second, glorious return of Christ. It signifies not merely His arrival but His full presence and manifestation in power and judgment, contrasting with His first, humble advent. The term carries connotations of a royal visit or an official's arrival, signifying authority and a decisive event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But as the days of Noe [were]":** This opening clause establishes a direct analogy between the conditions and events leading up to the Noahic flood and the circumstances preceding the second coming of Christ. The "days of Noe" refer to the period characterized by widespread wickedness, human preoccupation with earthly affairs, and a general unawareness or disregard for God's impending judgment, despite Noah's preaching (Genesis 6:5-7; 2 Peter 2:5). The implication is that life continued seemingly normally, with people eating, drinking, and marrying, until the very moment of the flood's arrival (Matthew 24:38).
* **"so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.":** This clause completes the analogy, asserting that the manner and character of Jesus' return will precisely mirror the sudden, unexpected, and decisive nature of the flood in Noah's time. The "coming of the Son of man" refers to Christ's _parousía_, His glorious return in power and judgment. Just as the flood came upon an unsuspecting world, so too will Christ's advent catch the majority of humanity unprepared, engrossed in their daily lives and oblivious to the eternal implications of His arrival. This emphasizes the certainty of His return and the need for constant vigilance.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 24:37 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Analogy**, specifically a **Simile**, as Jesus directly compares "the coming of the Son of Man" to "the days of Noe." This comparison is not about a chronological timeline but about the *manner* and *character* of the event: sudden, unexpected, and decisive. Accompanying this is **Allusion**, as the verse directly references the well-known biblical narrative of Noah and the flood from Genesis. This allusion immediately conjures images of divine judgment, human wickedness, and the salvation of a faithful few, leveraging the audience's existing knowledge to deepen the impact of Jesus' warning. Furthermore, Jesus' use of the title **"Son of man"** is a significant **Messianic Title**. While seemingly humble, it carries profound eschatological weight, drawing from Daniel 7:13-14, where "one like a son of man" comes with the clouds of heaven to receive everlasting dominion and glory. In this context, it signifies Jesus' ultimate authority as the divine judge and ruler, emphasizing the gravity and power of His return.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 24:37 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's sovereignty, the certainty of His promised interventions, and the critical importance of human response. The comparison to Noah's day highlights a consistent pattern in divine judgment: a period of grace and warning, followed by a sudden and decisive act of reckoning upon an unprepared world. It underscores that God's patience is not an endorsement of sin, nor is His delay a sign of His absence, but rather an opportunity for repentance. The verse implicitly affirms God's justice in judging wickedness while simultaneously demonstrating His faithfulness in preserving a righteous remnant. The theological implication is a call to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that earthly preoccupations can blind one to spiritual realities and impending divine accountability.

* [Luke 17:26-30](/luke/17-26-30 "Luke's Parallel Account of Noah's Days and the Son of Man's Coming")
* [Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's Grief Over Human Wickedness Before the Flood")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:1-6](/1_thessalonians/5-1-6 "Paul's Exhortation to Watchfulness and Sobriety")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful verse from Matthew 24:37 serves as a perpetual call to spiritual vigilance and preparedness for all who profess faith in Jesus Christ. It challenges us not to become so engrossed in the routines, comforts, and concerns of daily life that we lose sight of eternal realities and the imminent, though unannounced, return of our Lord. The complacency of Noah's generation, who were "eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage" until the flood came, stands as a stark warning against spiritual apathy. For believers, this means actively prioritizing our relationship with God, living in obedience to His commands, and cultivating a lifestyle of readiness and faithfulness. It is a reminder that genuine faith is not merely a one-time decision but a continuous, active walk that anticipates the Master's return. Furthermore, the dire warning of sudden judgment for the unprepared also implies a pressing responsibility to share the Gospel, so that others might not be caught unawares but might find salvation and preparedness in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be allowing the "normal" activities of daily life to distract me from spiritual vigilance?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater sense of readiness for Christ's return in my daily walk?**
* **How does the certainty of Christ's coming impact my priorities and the way I invest my time and resources?**
* **Considering the unpreparedness of Noah's generation, what is my responsibility to share the hope of the Gospel with those around me?**

### FAQ

**Does Matthew 24:37 imply that we cannot know anything about the timing of Jesus' return?**

Answer: While Matthew 24:37, along with the preceding verse (Matthew 24:36), clearly states that no one knows the "day and hour" of Jesus' return, it does not mean we can know absolutely nothing about the general season or the signs leading up to it. Jesus provides numerous signs throughout the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:4-31) that will precede His coming, such as wars, famines, earthquakes, persecutions, the preaching of the Gospel to all nations, and cosmic disturbances. The comparison to Noah's day emphasizes the *unexpectedness* for the *unprepared world*, not a complete absence of discernible indicators for the watchful believer. Believers are called to discern the "signs of the times" (Matthew 16:3) and to live in a state of constant readiness, not to pinpoint a date, but to be found faithful when He appears.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 24:37, while a warning of future judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Himself. The "Son of Man" who will return in judgment is the very same Jesus who first came in humility to offer salvation. Just as Noah's ark provided a means of salvation from the flood, so Christ Himself is the ultimate Ark, providing refuge from the coming judgment. His first advent, characterized by grace and truth (John 1:14), established the covenant by which humanity can be saved. Those who place their faith in Him are not destined for the judgment that will befall the unprepared world, but are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). The righteous remnant saved in Noah's day foreshadows the church, those "chosen in him before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4), who are "in Christ" and will be spared from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Thus, the call to preparedness in Matthew 24:37 is fundamentally a call to embrace and abide in Jesus, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), the only means by which humanity can stand ready before the glorious and decisive "coming of the Son of Man."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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: