Matthew 24:39

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} knew {G1097} not {G3756} until {G2193} the flood {G2627} came {G2064}, and {G2532} took {G142} them all {G537} away {G142}; so {G3779} shall {G2071} also {G2532} the coming {G3952} of the Son {G5207} of man {G444} be {G2071}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and they didn't know what was happening until the Flood came and swept them all away. It will be just like that when the Son of Man comes.

Berean Standard Bible

And they were oblivious, until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 24:39, Jesus vividly contrasts the sudden, catastrophic judgment of the Great Flood in Noah's day with the unexpected nature of His own future return, the "coming of the Son of man." This verse serves as a profound warning, emphasizing the spiritual unpreparedness and obliviousness of humanity before divine intervention, thereby underscoring the critical need for vigilance and readiness among His followers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, recorded in [Matthew 24-25](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24-25 - The Olivet Discourse"), [Mark 13](/mark/13 "Mark 13 - The Olivet Discourse"), and [Luke 21](/luke/21 "Luke 21 - The Olivet Discourse"). Jesus delivers this discourse on the Mount of Olives in response to His disciples' questions about the destruction of the Temple and the signs of His coming and the end of the age ([Matthew 24:3](/matthew/24-3 "Matthew 24:3 - Disciples' Questions")). Specifically, Matthew 24:39 immediately follows Jesus' direct comparison of His coming to "the days of Noah" in [Matthew 24:37-38](/matthew/24-37-38 "Matthew 24:37-38 - The Days of Noah"), where He describes people engaged in normal, everyday activities—eating, drinking, and marrying—completely unaware of the impending judgment. The verse thus concludes this illustrative analogy, driving home the point of the unexpectedness and comprehensive nature of the coming judgment. It sets the stage for subsequent parables and exhortations to watchfulness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative of Noah's Flood, found in [Genesis 6-9](/genesis/6-9 "Genesis 6-9 - The Flood Narrative"), was a foundational story within Jewish culture, known to all of Jesus' listeners. It represented God's righteous judgment upon a world consumed by wickedness and violence ([Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "Genesis 6:5-7 - God's Grief Over Human Wickedness")). The "days of Noah" were characterized by pervasive sin and a lack of spiritual discernment, despite Noah's righteous living and his role as a "preacher of righteousness" ([2 Peter 2:5](/2_peter/2-5 "2 Peter 2:5 - Noah, a Preacher of Righteousness")). Jesus' reference to people "eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage" highlights the normalcy of life that continued right up until the moment of judgment. This normalcy underscores the spiritual blindness and complacency that prevented people from recognizing the signs of the times or heeding divine warnings, making the flood's arrival a complete surprise to the unprepared masses.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 24:39 contributes significantly to several major themes within the Olivet Discourse and broader biblical theology. The most prominent theme is the **Suddenness and Unexpectedness of Christ's Return**. Just as the Flood arrived without warning for the oblivious masses, so too will the [coming of the Son of Man](/matthew/24-37 "Matthew 24:37 - The Coming of the Son of Man") catch many unprepared. This unexpectedness is a recurring motif, also seen in the imagery of a thief in the night ([1 Thessalonians 5:2](/1_thessalonians/5-2 "1 Thessalonians 5:2 - The Day of the Lord as a Thief")). Another crucial theme is the **Lack of Awareness and Preparedness**. The phrase "knew not" highlights the spiritual apathy and blindness of those in Noah's day, who failed to discern the times or heed Noah's warnings. This serves as a stark caution against spiritual complacency regarding the signs of the end times, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance. Implicit in the comparison to the Flood is the theme of **Divine Judgment**. The Flood was an act of righteous judgment upon a sinful world, and by drawing this parallel, Jesus warns that His return will likewise bring a time of accountability and judgment for those who are not ready. This judgment is often linked to the Son of Man's role as judge, as prophesied in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Receiving Dominion"). Finally, the verse subtly implies the **Urgency of Vigilance and Readiness**, contrasting the carelessness of Noah's contemporaries with the imperative for believers to "stay awake" and be prepared ([Matthew 24:42](/matthew/24-42 "Matthew 24:42 - Be Watchful")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **knew (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb signifies more than mere intellectual apprehension; it implies a deep, experiential knowledge, understanding, or recognition. In this context, it denotes a failure to truly comprehend the gravity of the situation or the impending divine judgment. The people "knew not" in the sense that they did not perceive or acknowledge the signs of the times, nor did they truly understand the implications of their actions or God's warnings through Noah. Their ignorance was not merely a lack of information, but a willful blindness or spiritual insensitivity.
* **took (Greek, _aírō'_):** This word means "to lift up," "to take up or away," or "to remove." Here, it vividly describes the forceful and complete removal of the unrighteous by the floodwaters. It conveys a sense of being swept away, utterly consumed by the judgment, with no possibility of escape or return. The passive voice ("took them all away") emphasizes the irresistible power of the divine action.
* **coming (Greek, _parousía'_):** This term refers to "a being near," "advent," or "presence." In the New Testament, particularly in eschatological contexts, _parousía_ specifically denotes the second coming of Christ. It implies not just an arrival, but a visible, powerful, and decisive presence that marks the culmination of history and the initiation of final judgment and kingdom establishment. Its use here connects Jesus' return to a definitive, transformative event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And knew not until the flood came":** This clause highlights the profound spiritual blindness and complacency of humanity in Noah's time. Despite Noah's preaching and the visible preparations (the ark), the vast majority remained oblivious, engrossed in their daily lives, failing to discern the signs of impending judgment. Their ignorance was not due to a lack of warning, but a willful disregard for God's truth, persisting "until" the very moment of divine intervention.
* **"and took them all away":** This phrase describes the swift, comprehensive, and inescapable nature of the judgment. The flood, as an agent of divine wrath, did not discriminate among the unprepared; it "took them all away," signifying a complete and utter destruction of those outside the ark. This emphasizes the finality and totality of the judgment for those who are not ready.
* **"so shall also the coming of the Son of man be":** This is the core comparison and the climactic point of the verse. Jesus explicitly likens His future return (_parousía_) to the sudden, unexpected, and all-encompassing nature of the Flood. Just as the Flood caught humanity unawares and swept them away, so too will the arrival of the Son of Man be a sudden, decisive, and universally impactful event that will catch the unprepared by surprise, bringing judgment upon them.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 24:39 employs several powerful literary devices. The primary device is **Analogy** or **Simile**, where Jesus draws a direct comparison between the historical event of Noah's Flood and His future return. The phrase "so shall also... be" explicitly links the two, using a well-known historical catastrophe to illustrate the nature of an unknown future event. This analogy serves to make the abstract concept of the Second Coming more concrete and impactful. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Foreshadowing**, as the historical judgment of the Flood serves as a type or prefigurement of the eschatological judgment that will accompany the Son of Man's coming. The Flood is not merely a past event, but a prophetic indicator of future divine action. Finally, the Flood itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing not only divine judgment but also the sudden, overwhelming, and inescapable nature of God's intervention when humanity has reached a peak of unrighteousness and spiritual apathy. The "taking away" symbolizes the comprehensive removal of the unrighteous from the earth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 24:39 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's sovereignty, judgment, and the imperative for human responsiveness. It underscores the biblical truth that God is both patient and just, allowing humanity time to repent, but also acting decisively in judgment when wickedness reaches its full measure. The parallel between the Flood and Christ's return highlights the continuity of God's character and His consistent pattern of intervention in human history. It reminds believers that while the exact timing of Christ's return is unknown ([Matthew 24:36](/matthew/24-36 "Matthew 24:36 - No One Knows the Day or Hour")), its certainty and suddenness demand a life of constant spiritual vigilance and readiness. The verse implicitly calls for a re-evaluation of priorities, urging believers not to become engrossed in worldly pursuits to the exclusion of spiritual preparedness, lest they be found among the "knew not" when the Son of Man appears.

* [2 Peter 3:10](/2_peter/3-10 "2 Peter 3:10")
* [Luke 17:26-30](/luke/17-26-30 "Luke 17:26-30")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:6](/1_thessalonians/5-6 "1 Thessalonians 5:6")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 24:39 is a powerful call to spiritual awakening and sustained readiness for every believer. It challenges us to honestly assess our current spiritual state: are we living with a genuine awareness of Christ's potential imminent return, or are we, like those in Noah's day, so consumed by the mundane affairs of life that we are spiritually complacent? This verse serves as a profound reminder that the quality of our daily lives, our priorities, and our spiritual posture matter deeply in light of eternity. It should motivate us to prioritize our relationship with God, to live with intentional purpose, and to actively participate in the Great Commission, sharing the Gospel with those who are currently "unaware." While we cannot know the precise day or hour, Jesus encourages us to cultivate discernment, understanding the signs of the times without becoming obsessed with speculative timelines. Our focus should be on living faithfully and fruitfully, ensuring that we are not caught off guard by spiritual indifference, but are found watchful and prepared when our Lord returns.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "unaware" or complacent in my spiritual life, similar to those in Noah's day?**
* **How does the certainty of Christ's sudden return impact my daily priorities and decisions?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater spiritual vigilance and readiness?**
* **How can I effectively share the urgency of Christ's return with those who are spiritually oblivious, without causing fear or fanaticism?**

### FAQ

**Does Matthew 24:39 contradict the idea that believers will know the "signs of the times" leading up to Christ's return?**

Answer: No, it does not. Matthew 24:39 emphasizes the *unexpectedness* of the Son of Man's coming for the *unprepared* and *unbelieving* world, much like the flood caught those outside the ark by surprise. Jesus explicitly states in [Matthew 24:36](/matthew/24-36 "Matthew 24:36 - No One Knows the Day or Hour") that "concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." This means no one can predict the exact timing. However, throughout the Olivet Discourse, Jesus also provides numerous "signs" (e.g., wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution, the preaching of the Gospel to all nations, the abomination of desolation) that would precede His return, instructing His disciples to "learn the lesson from the fig tree" ([Matthew 24:32](/matthew/24-32 "Matthew 24:32 - Parable of the Fig Tree")). Believers are called to be watchful and discerning, recognizing the general season of His coming, while the world remains oblivious. The "knew not" refers to a spiritual blindness and unwillingness to heed warnings, not a complete absence of information.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 24:39 primarily serves as a warning about judgment, its ultimate fulfillment and significance are deeply rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "coming of the Son of man" is not merely an arbitrary event, but the climactic return of the very One who first came as a humble servant to bear the sins of the world. The judgment described, though terrifying for the unprepared, is a necessary act of God's righteousness, establishing Christ's rightful dominion as King and Judge. For those who are "in Christ," His return is not a moment of dread but of glorious anticipation, for He will come to gather His elect ([Matthew 24:31](/matthew/24-31 "Matthew 24:31 - Gathering of the Elect")) and bring them into His eternal kingdom. The "taking away" of the unrighteous by the flood foreshadows the ultimate separation of the sheep from the goats ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")), a judgment executed by the Son of Man Himself. Yet, it is through His atoning sacrifice on the cross that humanity is offered escape from this impending judgment. Just as Noah and his family found refuge in the ark, so believers find their salvation and security in Christ, the true Ark of salvation. His first coming made the second possible, offering grace and a path to preparedness, so that when He comes again, we will not be "taken away" in judgment but welcomed into His glorious presence ([John 14:1-3](/john/14-1-3 "John 14:1-3 - Jesus Promises His Return")).

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

John 3:20

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Matthew 24:37

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

Acts 13:41

Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

Isaiah 44:18

They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; [and] their hearts, that they cannot understand.

Isaiah 44:19

And none considereth in his heart, neither [is there] knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten [it]: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

2 Peter 3:5

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

Proverbs 29:7

¶ The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: [but] the wicked regardeth not to know [it].