says
The wicked slave (Mt 24:48-24:51)
“But if that wicked slave
Says to himself.
‘My master is delayed.’
He begins to beat
His fellow slaves.
He eats
And drinks
With drunkards.
The master
Of that slave
Will come
On a day
When he does not expect him,
At an hour
That he does not know.
He will beat him severely
He will put him
With the hypocrites.
There will be weeping
And gnashing of teeth.”
ἐὰν δὲ εἴπῃ ὁ κακὸς δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ Χρονίζει μου ὁ κύριος,
καὶ ἄρξηται τύπτειν τοὺς συνδούλους αὐτοῦ, ἐσθίῃ δὲ καὶ πίνῃ μετὰ τῶν μεθυόντων,
ἥξει ὁ κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ οὐ προσδοκᾷ καὶ ἐν ὥρᾳ ᾗ οὐ γινώσκει,
καὶ διχοτομήσει αὐτὸν καὶ τὸ μέρος αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ὑποκριτῶν θήσει· ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων.
This parable about the wicked slave is similar to Luke, chapter 12:44-47, with a little more elaboration in Luke, where the good slave became the wicked slave. Jesus said that this wicked slave thought in his heart (ἐὰν δὲ εἴπῃ ὁ κακὸς δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ) that his master was delayed (Χρονίζει μου ὁ κύριος). Then he began to beat up his fellow slaves (καὶ ἄρξηται τύπτειν τοὺς συνδούλους αὐτοῦ). He ate and drank with the drunkards (ἐσθίῃ δὲ καὶ πίνῃ μετὰ τῶν μεθυόντων). Then the master of this slave came on a day when he was not expecting him, at an unknown hour (ἥξει ὁ κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ οὐ προσδοκᾷ καὶ ἐν ὥρᾳ ᾗ οὐ γινώσκει). This master would beat him severely (καὶ διχοτομήσει αὐτὸν) and put him with the hypocrites (καὶ τὸ μέρος αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ὑποκριτῶν θήσει), where there would be weeping (ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς) and gnashing of teeth (καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων). The non-vigilant slave would suffer disaster, not like the good slave.
False Christs (Mt 24:23-24:24)
“If anyone says to you.
‘Look!
Here is the Messiah Christ!’
Or
‘There he is!’
Do not believe it.
False Christs
And false prophets
Will appear!
They will produce
Great signs
And wonders,
To lead astray,
If possible,
Even the elect.”
τότε ἐάν τις ὑμῖν εἴπῃ Ἰδοὺ ὧδε ὁ Χριστός, ἤ Ὧδε, μὴ πιστεύσητε·
ἐγερθήσονται γὰρ ψευδόχριστοι καὶ ψευδοπροφῆται, καὶ δώσουσιν σημεῖα μεγάλα καὶ τέρατα ὥστε πλανῆσαι, εἰ δυνατὸν, καὶ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς
This is exactly the same, almost word for word, in Mark, chapter 13:21-22, with a hint of this in Luke, chapter 17:22-23. Matthew also spoke about the false Messiahs earlier in this chapter 24:5. Jesus warned his disciples that if anyone said to them to look because the Messiah Christ was there (τότε ἐάν τις ὑμῖν εἴπῃ Ἰδοὺ ὧδε ὁ Χριστός, ἤ Ὧδε), they were not to believe it (μὴ πιστεύσητε). Both false or pseudo Christs and false and pseudo prophets would appear (ἐγερθήσονται γὰρ ψευδόχριστοι καὶ ψευδοπροφῆται). They would produce great signs and wonders (καὶ δώσουσιν σημεῖα μεγάλα καὶ τέρατα), in order to lead astray even the elect or the chosen ones (ὥστε πλανῆσαι, εἰ δυνατὸν, καὶ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς). Both Mark, chapter 13:5-6, and Luke, chapter 21:8, also warned them against people who might lead them astray. Many people would come saying that they were the Messiah Christ in order to deceive them. Apparently, there were many deceptive Jewish messianic leaders who were saying that they were the Christ Messiah. John the Baptist was an example of a messianic leader in the 1st century CE. Other political Jewish leaders had messianic ambitions also, especially those who led the revolt against the Romans in the 2nd half of the 1st century. Jesus was warning against all of them.
The prophecy of Isaiah (Mt 13:14-13:15)
“With them indeed is fulfilled
The prophecy of Isaiah
That says.
‘You will indeed listen,
But never understand!
You will indeed see,
but never perceive!
This people’s heart
Has grown dull.
Their ears are
Hard of hearing.
They have shut their eyes,
So that they might not look
With their eyes.
So that they do not listen
With their ears.
So that they do not understand
With their hearts.
They should return.
I would heal them.’”
καὶ ἀναπληροῦται αὐτοῖς ἡ προφητεία Ἡσαΐου ἡ λέγουσα Ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ συνῆτε, καὶ βλέποντες βλέψετε καὶ οὐ μὴ ἴδητε.
ἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου, καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν βαρέως ἤκουσαν, καὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐκάμμυσαν· μή ποτε ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν ἀκούσωσιν καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν, καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς.
This prophecy of Isaiah is based on chapter 6:9-10, where Isaiah told the people that they were listening without comprehending. They were looking without understanding. Their hearts were dull. Their eyes and ears were closed. He wanted them not to look with their own eyes, but he wanted them to turn to Yahweh, so that they would be healed. Only Matthew, among the synoptics, saw the fulfillment of this Isaiah prophecy in Jesus (καὶ ἀναπληροῦται αὐτοῖς ἡ προφητεία Ἡσαΐου ἡ λέγουσα). They would listen and hear, but not understand (Ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ συνῆτε). They would see, but not perceive (καὶ βλέποντες βλέψετε καὶ οὐ μὴ ἴδητε). Their hearts had grown dull or unfeeling (ἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου). Their ears were hard of hearing, as they could barely hear (καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν βαρέως ἤκουσαν). They have shut their eyes (καὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐκάμμυσαν), so that they might not see with their eyes (μή ποτε ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς). Thus, they did not hear with their ears (καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν ἀκούσωσιν). Thus, they did not understand with their hearts (καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν). They should return (καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν). Yahweh or now Jesus would heal them (καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς).
The return of the evil spirits (Mt 12:44-12:45)
“Then this unclean spirit says.
‘I will return
To my house,
From which I came.’
When he comes,
This spirit finds it empty.
It is swept.
It is put in order.
Then the unclean spirit goes
And brings along
Seven other spirits
More evil than itself.
They enter there.
They live there.
The last state of that person
Is worse than the first.
Thus,
It will it be also
With this evil generation.”
τότε λέγει Εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου ἐπιστρέψω ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον· καὶ ἐλθὸν εὑρίσκει σχολάζοντα καὶ σεσαρωμένον καὶ κεκοσμημένον.
τότε πορεύεται καὶ παραλαμβάνει μεθ’ ἑαυτοῦ ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ· καὶ γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων. οὕτως ἔσται καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ.
This saying about the returning unclean spirit can also be found word for word in Luke, chapter 11:25-26, indicating a Q source. This implies a failed exorcism or a failed healing, so that the evil unclean spirit would return with more evil spirits. Thus, the final state of that person would be worse than it was in the beginning. This unclean spirit said to itself that it would return to its house or the place or person that it had come from (τότε λέγει Εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου ἐπιστρέψω ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον). Nothing had been put in its place, because this unclean spirit found it empty or unoccupied (καὶ ἐλθὸν εὑρίσκει σχολάζοντα), swept clean (καὶ σεσαρωμένον) and in order, newly decorated (καὶ κεκοσμημένον). Thus, the unclean spirit went and brought 7 more evil spirits (τότε πορεύεται καὶ παραλαμβάνει μεθ’ ἑαυτοῦ ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ). All these evil spirits entered and lived there (καὶ εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ·). Finally, the last state of that person would be worse than the original situation (καὶ γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων). Thus, it would be the same for this evil generation (οὕτως ἔσται καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ). Jesus had just called this generation evil in chapter 12:19.
The literal meaning
The first form of biblical interpretation is the literal meaning. The text says what it says, so there. Anyone who can read, can simply pick up the book and read it. That is all that it takes to understand the Bible. Just read it. Perhaps the English is a little old fashioned, but that is no big deal. Jesus walked down the road. That is all there is in the literal sense.
The useless gods (Bar 6:12-6:18)
“These gods
Cannot save themselves
From rust.
They cannot save themselves
From corrosion.
When they have been dressed
In purple robes,
Their faces are wiped
Because the dust
From the temple
Is thick upon them.
One of them
Holds a scepter
Like a district judge.
But he is unable
To destroy
Anyone who offends him.
Another has a dagger
In his right hand.
Another has an axe.
But these gods cannot
Defend themselves
From war
Or robbers.
From this,
It is evident
That they are not gods.
So do not fear them!
Just as someone’s dish
Is useless
When it is broken,
So are their gods
When they have been
Set up in the temples.
Their eyes are full
Of the dust
Raised by the feet
Of those who enter.”
This author says that these gods cannot save themselves from rust or corrosion. Even when they have been dressed in purple robes, someone has to wipe their faces because of the thick dust from the temple. If they have a scepter like a district judge, they are unable to destroy anyone who offends them. If they have a dagger or an axe, they cannot defend themselves from war or robbers. It is quite evident that these useless colorful idols are not gods at all. So there is nothing to fear from them. They are like useless broken dishes.
The end of Jerusalem (Jer 32:36-32:36)
“Now therefore
Thus says Yahweh!
The God of Israel!
Concerning this city
About which you say.
‘It is given
Into the hand
Of the king of Babylon
By sword,
By famine,
By pestilence.’”
Yahweh, the God of Israel, clearly says that Jerusalem, his city, will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon. He will accomplish this, as per usual, by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.
The restoration of fortunes (Jer 30:18-30:21)
“Thus says Yahweh.
‘I going to restore the fortunes
Of the tents of Jacob.
I have compassion
On their dwellings.
The city shall be rebuilt
Upon its mound.
The citadel shall set on
Its rightful site.
Out of them shall come
Songs of thanksgiving,
With the sound of merrymakers.
I will multiply them.
They shall not be few.
I will make them honored.
They shall not be disdained.
Their children shall be as of old.
Their congregation
Shall be established before me.
I will punish all
Who oppress them.
Their prince
Shall be one of their own.
Their ruler
Shall come from their own midst.
I will make him draw near.
They shall approach me.
Who would otherwise dare
To approach me?’
Says Yahweh.”
Yahweh, via Jeremiah, says that he will restore the fortunes of the Israelites, the tents of Jacob. He was going to have compassion on their buildings and their cities. Thus, they would rebuild over the original rubble, which was the custom at that time. Then they would be able to come with songs of thanksgiving and voices of merrymakers. The Israelites would flourish. They would become numerous and honored, not disdained. Their children would be like in the good old days. Their congregation would hold Yahweh as special. Thus, anyone who oppressed them, Yahweh would punish. They would have their own princes and rulers from their own groups, not outsiders or foreigners telling them what to do. They would be near and approach Yahweh. Let the good times roll!
The great pain and hurt (Jer 30:12-30:15)
“Thus says Yahweh.
‘Your hurt is incurable!
Your wound is grievous!
There is no one
To uphold your cause!
There is no medicine
For your wound!
There is no healing for you.
All your lovers
Have forgotten you.
They care nothing for you.
I have dealt you
The blow of an enemy,
The punishment
Of a merciless foe,
Because your guilt is great,
Because your sins
Are so numerous.
Why do you cry out
Over your hurt?
Your pain is incurable.
Because your guilt is great,
Because your sins
Are so numerous.
I have done these things to you.’”
Yahweh says that the Israelites are in great pain. They have a serious incurable wound that will not heal. There is no medicine available to help them. There is no one who will defend them in court. All their lovers have forgotten about them. Yahweh has helped their enemies deliver a severe blow. Yahweh repeats himself twice saying that the guilt of the Israelites is very great and numerous. They should stop crying about their terrible pains. Yahweh has done all to this to them. Just cry out to Yahweh and forget all the other stuff.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 