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Selected Verse: Matthew 24:31 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 24:31	Strong Concordance	And [2532] he shall send [649] his [846] angels [32] with [3326] a great [3173] sound [5456] of a trumpet [4536], and [2532] they shall gather together [1996] his [846] elect [1588] from [1537] the four [5064] winds [417], from [575] one end [206] of heaven [3772] to [2193] the other [206] [846].
	King James	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.

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
And he shall send his angels - "Angels" signify, literally, "messengers," Luk 7:24; Luk 9:52. The word is often applied to inanimate objects, or to anything that God employs to rescue his people from danger Psa 104:4; but it most commonly refers to the race of intelligent beings more exalted than man, who are employed often in the work of man's rescue from ruin, and aiding his salvation, Heb 1:14. In either of these senses it might here refer to deliverance granted to his people in the calamities of Jerusalem. It is said that there is reason to believe that not one Christian perished in the destruction of that city, God having in various ways secured their escape, so that they fled to Pella, where they lived when the city was destroyed. But the language seems to refer rather to the end of the world, and, no doubt, its principal application was intended to be to the gathering of his elect at the day of judgment: With a great sound of a trumpet - The Jewish assemblies used to be called together by the sound of a trumpet, as ours are by bells, Lev 25:9; Num 10:2; Jdg 3:27. Hence, when they spoke of convening an assembly, they spoke also of doing it by sounding a trumpet. Our Saviour, speaking to Jews, used language to which they were accustomed, and described the assembling of the people at the last day in language which they were accustomed to use in calling assemblies together. It is not certain, however, that he meant that this would be literally so, but it may be designed only to denote the certainty that the "world would be assembled together." Similar language is often used when speaking of the judgment, Th1 4:16; Co1 15:52. A trump, or trumpet, was a wind instrument, made at first from the horns of oxen, and afterward of rams' horns, cut off at the smaller extremity. In some instances it was made of brass, in the form of a horn. The common trumpet was straight, made of brass or silver, a cubit in length, the larger extremity shaped so as to resemble a small bell. In times of peace, in assembling the people, this was sounded softly. In times of calamity, or war, or any great commotion, it was sounded loud. Perhaps this was referred to when our Saviour said, with a great sound of a trumpet. They shall gather together his elect - Elect. See the notes at Mat 24:22. The word means Christians - the chosen of God. If this refers to the destruction of Jerusalem, it means, "God shall send forth his messengers - whatever he may choose to employ for that purpose: signs, wonders, human messengers, or the angels themselves - and gather Christians into a place of safety, so that they shall not be destroyed with the Jews." If it refers to the last judgment, as it doubtless in a primary or secondary sense does, then it means that he will send his angels to gather his chosen, his elect, together from all places, Mat 13:39, Mat 13:41-43. This shall be done before the living shall be changed, Co1 15:51-52; Th1 4:16-17. From the four winds - That is, from the four quarters of the globe - east, west, north, and south. The Jews expressed those quarters by the winds blowing from them See Eze 37:9. See also Isa 43:5-6. "From one end of heaven, etc." Mark says Mar 13:27, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. The expression denotes that they shall be gathered from all parts of the earth where they are scattered. The word "heaven" is used here to denote the "visible" heavens or the sky, meaning that through "the whole world" he would gather them. See Psa 19:1-7; Deu 4:32.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

And he shall send his angels - "Angels" signify, literally, "messengers," Luk 7:24; Luk 9:52. The word is often applied to inanimate objects, or to anything that God employs to rescue his people from danger Psa 104:4; but it most commonly refers to the race of intelligent beings more exalted than man, who are employed often in the work of man's rescue from ruin, and aiding his salvation, Heb 1:14. In either of these senses it might here refer to deliverance granted to his people in the calamities of Jerusalem. It is said that there is reason to believe that not one Christian perished in the destruction of that city, God having in various ways secured their escape, so that they fled to Pella, where they lived when the city was destroyed. But the language seems to refer rather to the end of the world, and, no doubt, its principal application was intended to be to the gathering of his elect at the day of judgment:

With a great sound of a trumpet - The Jewish assemblies used to be called together by the sound of a trumpet, as ours are by bells, Lev 25:9; Num 10:2; Jdg 3:27. Hence, when they spoke of convening an assembly, they spoke also of doing it by sounding a trumpet. Our Saviour, speaking to Jews, used language to which they were accustomed, and described the assembling of the people at the last day in language which they were accustomed to use in calling assemblies together. It is not certain, however, that he meant that this would be literally so, but it may be designed only to denote the certainty that the "world would be assembled together." Similar language is often used when speaking of the judgment, Th1 4:16; Co1 15:52. A trump, or trumpet, was a wind instrument, made at first from the horns of oxen, and afterward of rams' horns, cut off at the smaller extremity. In some instances it was made of brass, in the form of a horn. The common trumpet was straight, made of brass or silver, a cubit in length, the larger extremity shaped so as to resemble a small bell. In times of peace, in assembling the people, this was sounded softly. In times of calamity, or war, or any great commotion, it was sounded loud. Perhaps this was referred to when our Saviour said, with a great sound of a trumpet.

They shall gather together his elect - Elect. See the notes at Mat 24:22. The word means Christians - the chosen of God. If this refers to the destruction of Jerusalem, it means, "God shall send forth his messengers - whatever he may choose to employ for that purpose: signs, wonders, human messengers, or the angels themselves - and gather Christians into a place of safety, so that they shall not be destroyed with the Jews." If it refers to the last judgment, as it doubtless in a primary or secondary sense does, then it means that he will send his angels to gather his chosen, his elect, together from all places, Mat 13:39, Mat 13:41-43. This shall be done before the living shall be changed, Co1 15:51-52; Th1 4:16-17.

From the four winds - That is, from the four quarters of the globe - east, west, north, and south. The Jews expressed those quarters by the winds blowing from them See Eze 37:9. See also Isa 43:5-6. "From one end of heaven, etc." Mark says Mar 13:27, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. The expression denotes that they shall be gathered from all parts of the earth where they are scattered. The word "heaven" is used here to denote the "visible" heavens or the sky, meaning that through "the whole world" he would gather them. See Psa 19:1-7; Deu 4:32.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
angels (See Scofield) - (Heb 1:4).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
With a great sound of a trumpet (μετὰ σάλπυγγος φωνῆς μεγάλης) Some read with a great trumpet. The blowing of trumpets was anciently the signal for the host of Israel on their march through the desert. It summoned to war, and proclaimed public festivals, and marked the beginnings of months; Num 10:1-10; Psa 81:3. Hence the symbolism of the New Testament. Jehovah's people shall be summoned before their king by sound of trumpet. Compare the proclamation of Christ as king at the trumpet of the seventh angel, Rev 11:15.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
They shall gather together his elect - That is, all that have endured to the end in the faith which worketh by love.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
He shall send his angels - Τους αγγελους, his messengers, the apostles, and their successors in the Christian ministry. With a great sound of a trumpet - Or, a loud-sounding trumpet - the earnest affectionate call of the Gospel of peace, life, and salvation. Shall gather together his elect - The Gentiles, who were now chosen or elected, in place of the rebellious, obstinate Jews, according to Our Lord's prediction, Mat 8:11,Mat 8:12, and Luk 13:28,Luk 13:29. For the children of the kingdom, (the Jews who were born with a legal right to it, but had now finally forfeited that right by their iniquities) should be thrust out. It is worth serious observation, that the Christian religion spread and prevailed mightily after this period: and nothing contributed more to the success of the Gospel than the destruction of Jerusalem happening in the very time and manner, and with the very circumstances, so particularly foretold by our Lord. It was after this period that the kingdom of Christ began, and his reign was established in almost every part of the world. To St. Matthew's account, St. Luke adds, Luk 21:24, They shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shalt be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, till the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. The number of those who fell by the sword was very great. Eleven Hundred Thousand perished during the siege. Many were slain at other places, and at other times. By the commandment of Florus, the first author of the war, there were slain at Jerusalem 3,600, Josephus. War, b. ii. c. 14. By the inhabitants of Caesarea, above 20,000. At Scythopolis, above 13,000. At Ascalon, 2,500. At Ptolemais, 2,000. At Alexandria, 50,000. At Joppa, when taken by Cestius Gallus, 8,400. In a mountain called Asamon, near Sepporis, above 2,000. At Damascus, 10,000. In a battle with the Romans at Ascalon, 10,000. In an ambuscade near the same place, 8,000. At Japha, 15,000. Of the Samaritans, on Mount Gerizim, 11,600. At Jotapa, 40,000. At Joppa, when taken by Vespasian, 4,200. At Tarichea, 6,500. And after the city was taken, 1,200. At Gamala, 4,000, besides 5,000 who threw themselves down a precipice. Of those who fled with John, of Gischala, 6,000. Of the Gadarenes, 15,000 slain, besides countless multitudes drowned. In the village of Idumea, above 10,000 slain. At Gerasa, 1,000. At Machaerus, 1,700. In the wood of Jardes, 3,000. In the castle of Masada, 960. In Cyrene, by Catullus the governor, 3,000. Besides these, many of every age, sex, and condition, were slain in the war, who are not reckoned; but, of those who are reckoned, the number amounts to upwards of 1,357,660, which would have appeared incredible, if their own historian had not so particularly enumerated them. See Josephus, War, book ii. c. 18, 20; book iii. c. 2, 7, 8, 9; book iv. c. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9; book vii. c. 6, 9, 11; and Bp. Newton, vol. ii. p. 288-290. Many also were led away captives into all nations. There were taken at Japha, 2,130. At Jotapa, 1,200. At Tarichea, 6,000 chosen young men, who were sent to Nero; others sold to the number of 30,400, besides those who were given to Agrippa. Of the Gadarenes were taken 2,200. In Idumea above 1,000. Many besides these were taken in Jerusalem; so that, as Josephus says, the number of the captives taken in the whole war amounted to 97,000. Those above seventeen years of age were sent to the works in Egypt; but most were distributed through the Roman provinces, to be destroyed in their theatres by the sword, and by the wild beasts; and those under seventeen years of age were sold for slaves. Eleven thousand in one place perished for want. At Caesarea, Titus, like a thorough-paced infernal savage, murdered 2,500 Jews, in honor of his brother's birthday; and a greater number at Berytus in honor of his father's. See Josephus, War, b. vii. c. 3. s. 1. Some he caused to kill each other; some were thrown to the wild beasts; and others burnt alive. And all this was done by a man who was styled, The darling of mankind! Thus were the Jews miserably tormented, and distributed over the Roman provinces; and continue to be distressed and dispersed over all the nations of the world to the present day. Jerusalem also was, according to the prediction of our Lord, to be trodden down by the Gentiles. Accordingly it has never since been in the possession of the Jews. It was first in subjection to the Romans, afterwards to the Saracens, then to the Franks, after to the Mamalukes, and now to the Turks. Thus has the prophecy of Christ been most literally and terribly fulfilled, on a people who are still preserved as continued monuments of the truth of our Lord's prediction, and of the truth of the Christian religion. See more in Bp. Newton's Dissert. vol. ii. p. 291, etc.

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³² For ask [07592] now of the days [03117] that are past [07223], which were [01961] before [06440] thee, since the day [03117] that God [0430] created [01254] man [0120] upon the earth [0776], and ask from the one side [07097] of heaven [08064] unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great [01419] thing [01697] is, or hath been heard [08085] like it?

¹ To the chief Musician [05329], A Psalm [04210] of David [01732]. The heavens [08064] declare [05608] the glory [03519] of God [0410]; and the firmament [07549] sheweth his [05046] handywork [04639] [03027].
² Day [03117] unto day [03117] uttereth [05042] speech [0562], and night [03915] unto night [03915] sheweth [02331] knowledge [01847].
³ There is no speech [0562] nor language [01697], where their voice [06963] is not heard [08085].
⁴ Their line [06957] is gone out [03318] through all the earth [0776], and their words [04405] to the end [07097] of the world [08398]. In them hath he set [07760] a tabernacle [0168] for the sun [08121],
⁵ Which is as a bridegroom [02860] coming out [03318] of his chamber [02646], and rejoiceth [07797] as a strong man [01368] to run [07323] a race [0734].
⁶ His going forth [04161] is from the end [07097] of the heaven [08064], and his circuit [08622] unto the ends [07098] of it: and there is nothing hid [05641] from the heat [02535] thereof.
⁷ The law [08451] of the LORD [03068] is perfect [08549], converting [07725] the soul [05315]: the testimony [05715] of the LORD [03068] is sure [0539], making wise [02449] the simple [06612].

²⁷ And [2532] then [5119] shall he send [649] his [846] angels [32], and [2532] shall gather together [1996] his [846] elect [1588] from [1537] the four [5064] winds [417], from [575] the uttermost part [206] of the earth [1093] to [2193] the uttermost part [206] of heaven [3772].

⁵ Fear [03372] not: for I am with thee: I will bring [0935] thy seed [02233] from the east [04217], and gather [06908] thee from the west [04628];
⁶ I will say [0559] to the north [06828], Give up [05414]; and to the south [08486], Keep not back [03607]: bring [0935] my sons [01121] from far [07350], and my daughters [01323] from the ends [07097] of the earth [0776];

⁹ Then said [0559] he unto me, Prophesy [05012] unto the wind [07307], prophesy [05012], son [01121] of man [0120], and say [0559] to the wind [07307], Thus saith [0559] the Lord [0136] GOD [03069]; Come [0935] from the four [0702] winds [07307], O breath [07307], and breathe [05301] upon these slain [02026], that they may live [02421].

¹⁶ For [3754] the Lord [2962] himself [846] shall descend [2597] from [575] heaven [3772] with [1722] a shout [2752], with [1722] the voice [5456] of the archangel [743], and [2532] with [1722] the trump [4536] of God [2316]: and [2532] the dead [3498] in [1722] Christ [5547] shall rise [450] first [4412]:
¹⁷ Then [1899] we [2249] which [3588] are alive [2198] and remain [4035] shall be caught up [726] together [260] with [4862] them [846] in [1722] the clouds [3507], to [1519] meet [529] the Lord [2962] in [1519] the air [109]: and [2532] so [3779] shall we [2071] ever [3842] be [2071] with [4862] the Lord [2962].

⁵¹ Behold [2400], I shew [3004] you [5213] a mystery [3466]; We shall [2837] not [3756] all [3956] [3303] sleep [2837], but [1161] we shall [236] all [3956] be changed [236],
⁵² In [1722] a moment [823], in [1722] the twinkling [4493] of an eye [3788], at [1722] the last [2078] trump [4536]: for [1063] the trumpet shall sound [4537], and [2532] the dead [3498] shall be raised [1453] incorruptible [862], and [2532] we [2249] shall be changed [236].

⁴¹ The Son [5207] of man [444] shall send forth [649] his [846] angels [32], and [2532] they shall gather [4816] out of [1537] his [846] kingdom [932] all things [3956] that offend [4625], and [2532] them which do [4160] iniquity [458];
⁴² And [2532] shall cast [906] them [846] into [1519] a furnace [2575] of fire [4442]: there [1563] shall be [2071] wailing [2805] and [2532] gnashing [1030] of teeth [3599].
⁴³ Then [5119] shall the righteous [1342] shine forth [1584] as [5613] the sun [2246] in [1722] the kingdom [932] of their [846] Father [3962]. Who [3588] hath [2192] ears [3775] to hear [191], let him hear [191].

³⁹ [1161] The enemy [2190] that sowed [4687] them [846] is [2076] the devil [1228]; [1161] the harvest [2326] is [2076] the end [4930] of the world [165]; and [1161] the reapers [2327] are [1526] the angels [32].

²² And [2532] except [1508] those [1565] days [2250] should be shortened [2856], there [3756] should [302] no [3956] flesh [4561] be saved [4982]: but [1161] for [1223] the elect's sake [1588] those [1565] days [2250] shall be shortened [2856].

⁵² In [1722] a moment [823], in [1722] the twinkling [4493] of an eye [3788], at [1722] the last [2078] trump [4536]: for [1063] the trumpet shall sound [4537], and [2532] the dead [3498] shall be raised [1453] incorruptible [862], and [2532] we [2249] shall be changed [236].

²⁷ And it came to pass, when he was come [0935], that he blew [08628] a trumpet [07782] in the mountain [02022] of Ephraim [0669], and the children [01121] of Israel [03478] went down [03381] with him from the mount [02022], and he before [06440] them.

² Make [06213] thee two [08147] trumpets [02689] of silver [03701]; of a whole piece [04749] shalt thou make [06213] them: that thou mayest use [01961] them for the calling [04744] of the assembly [05712], and for the journeying [04550] of the camps [04264].

⁹ Then shalt thou cause the trumpet [07782] of the jubile [08643] to sound [05674] on the tenth [06218] day of the seventh [07637] month [02320], in the day [03117] of atonement [03725] shall ye make the trumpet [07782] sound [05674] throughout all your land [0776].

¹⁴ Are they [1526] not [3780] all [3956] ministering [3010] spirits [4151], sent forth [649] to [1519] minister [1248] for [1223] them who shall [3195] be heirs of [2816] salvation [4991]?

⁴ Who maketh [06213] his angels [04397] spirits [07307]; his ministers [08334] a flaming [03857] fire [0784]:

⁵² And [2532] sent [649] messengers [32] before [4253] his [846] face [4383]: and [2532] they went [4198], and entered [1525] into [1519] a village [2968] of the Samaritans [4541], to [5620] make ready [2090] for him [846].

²⁴ And [1161] when the messengers [32] of John [2491] were departed [565], he began [756] to speak [3004] unto [4314] the people [3793] concerning [4012] John [2491], What [5101] went ye out [1831] into [1519] the wilderness [2048] for to see [2300]? A reed [2563] shaken [4531] with [5259] the wind [417]?

⁴ Being made [1096] so much [5118] better than [2909] the angels [32], as [3745] he hath by inheritance obtained [2816] a more excellent [1313] name [3686] than [3844] they [846].

¹⁵ And [2532] the seventh [1442] angel [32] sounded [4537]; and [2532] there were [1096] great [3173] voices [5456] in [1722] heaven [3772], saying [3004], The kingdoms [932] of this world [2889] are become [1096] the kingdoms of our [2257] Lord [2962], and [2532] of his [846] Christ [5547]; and [2532] he shall reign [936] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165].

³ Blow up [08628] the trumpet [07782] in the new moon [02320], in the time appointed [03677], on our solemn feast [02282] day [03117].

¹ And the LORD [03068] spake [01696] unto Moses [04872], saying [0559],
² Make [06213] thee two [08147] trumpets [02689] of silver [03701]; of a whole piece [04749] shalt thou make [06213] them: that thou mayest use [01961] them for the calling [04744] of the assembly [05712], and for the journeying [04550] of the camps [04264].
³ And when they shall blow [08628] with them [02004], all the assembly [05712] shall assemble [03259] themselves to thee at the door [06607] of the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150].
⁴ And if they blow [08628] but with one [0259] trumpet, then the princes [05387], which are heads [07218] of the thousands [0505] of Israel [03478], shall gather [03259] themselves unto thee.
⁵ When ye blow [08628] an alarm [08643], then the camps [04264] that lie [02583] on the east parts [06924] shall go forward [05265].
⁶ When ye blow [08628] an alarm [08643] the second time [08145], then the camps [04264] that lie [02583] on the south side [08486] shall take their journey [05265]: they shall blow [08628] an alarm [08643] for their journeys [04550].
⁷ But when the congregation [06951] is to be gathered together [06950], ye shall blow [08628], but ye shall not sound an alarm [07321].
⁸ And the sons [01121] of Aaron [0175], the priests [03548], shall blow [08628] with the trumpets [02689]; and they shall be to you for an ordinance [02708] for ever [05769] throughout your generations [01755].
⁹ And if ye go [0935] to war [04421] in your land [0776] against [06862] the enemy that oppresseth [06887] you, then ye shall blow an alarm [07321] with the trumpets [02689]; and ye shall be remembered [02142] before [06440] the LORD [03068] your God [0430], and ye shall be saved [03467] from your enemies [0341].
¹⁰ Also in the day [03117] of your gladness [08057], and in your solemn days [04150], and in the beginnings [07218] of your months [02320], ye shall blow [08628] with the trumpets [02689] over your burnt offerings [05930], and over the sacrifices [02077] of your peace offerings [08002]; that they may be to you for a memorial [02146] before [06440] your God [0430]: I am the LORD [03068] your God [0430].

²⁴ And [2532] they shall fall [4098] by the edge [4750] of the sword [3162], and [2532] shall be led away captive [163] into [1519] all [3956] nations [1484]: and [2532] Jerusalem [2419] shall be [2071] trodden down [3961] of [5259] the Gentiles [1484], until [891] the times [2540] of the Gentiles [1484] be fulfilled [4137].

²⁹ And [2532] they shall come [2240] from [575] the east [395], and [2532] from the west [1424], and [2532] from [575] the north [1005], and [2532] from the south [3558], and [2532] shall sit down [347] in [1722] the kingdom [932] of God [2316].

²⁸ There [1563] shall be [2071] weeping [2805] and [2532] gnashing [1030] of teeth [3599], when [3752] ye shall see [3700] Abraham [11], and [2532] Isaac [2464], and [2532] Jacob [2384], and [2532] all [3956] the prophets [4396], in [1722] the kingdom [932] of God [2316], and [1161] you [5209] yourselves thrust [1544] out [1854].

¹² But [1161] the children [5207] of the kingdom [932] shall be cast out [1544] into [1519] outer [1857] darkness [4655]: there [1563] shall be [2071] weeping [2805] and [2532] gnashing [1030] of teeth [3599].

¹¹ And [1161] I say [3004] unto you [5213], That [3754] many [4183] shall come [2240] from [575] the east [395] and [2532] west [1424], and [2532] shall sit down [347] with [3326] Abraham [11], and [2532] Isaac [2464], and [2532] Jacob [2384], in [1722] the kingdom [932] of heaven [3772].