Matthew 24:31

Matthew 24:31, in plain English

Jesus will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they'll gather all of His people from every corner of the world. No one will be left behind or forgotten.

Why it's here

After all the warnings about tribulation, this is the glorious payoff. God's people will be gathered safely from everywhere they are.

Who's speaking

Jesus describes the beautiful climax of His return: bringing all His people together at last.

Where it sits in the story

This is the homecoming. No matter where you are in the world, God's angels will find you and bring you home. Not one of His people will be overlooked.

The scholarly reading

Jesus sends His angels (angelous) with a 'great trumpet' (salpiggos megalēs) — evoking the shofar of Isaiah 27:13 and the trumpet of Sinai (Exod 19:16) — to 'gather the elect' (episynaxousin tous eklektous) from the four winds, that is, from every direction and place on earth.

Language and setting

The gathering of the elect fulfills the promise of Israel's restoration (Deut 30:4; Isa 11:12) and extends it to include all of God's people. The trumpet call echoes both Israel's liturgical and eschatological traditions.

Voice

Jesus describes the triumphant climax of His return: the final gathering of God's people from every corner of creation.

Significance

The trumpet sounds and angels sweep across the globe, gathering every one of God's people. It's the great reunion — every believer from every nation, finally brought home.

29Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’

30At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.

33So also, when you see all these things, you will know that He is near, right at the door.

Read all of Matthew 24 — The disciples ask when the end will come. Jesus answers with wars, earthquakes, and a warning: stay awake, because no one knows the hour.