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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 24:40 Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/24-40.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/40_Mat_24_40.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 24:40 - Readiness at Any Hour" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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one will be taken and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/24.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Then two will be in the field: one is taken, and one is left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then two <i>men</i> will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time there will be two <i>men</i> in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then there will be two in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />At that time two men will be in the field; one will be taken [for judgment] and one will be left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one left. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then shall two men be in the field; one is taken, and one is left:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Two men will be in the same field, but only one will be taken. The other will be left. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then shall two men be in the field; one is taken, and one is left:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"At that time two men will be working in the field. One will be taken, and the other one will be left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />At that time two men will be working in a field: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />At that time, two people will be in the field. One will be taken, and one will be left behind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then will two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/24.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Then will two men be in the open country: one will be taken away, and one left behind.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Then two [men] will be in the field: one is received, and one is left;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/24.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Then two will be in the field: one is taken, and one is left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Then two men shall be in the field, the one is received, and the one is left;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Then shall be two in the field; one shall be taken, and one is let go;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then two shall be in the field: one shall be taken, and one shall be left. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then two men will be in a field: one will be taken up, and one will be left behind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then two men will be in the field, one will be taken away and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/24.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Then two will be in the field; one will be taken captive, and one will be left.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/24.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Then two men shall be in the field; one shall be taken, and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/24.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Then two men shall be in the field; one is taken, and one is left.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/24.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other dismissed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/24.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />of two persons, who shall be then in the field, one shall be taken, and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/24.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Then will two men be in the open country: one will be taken away, and one left behind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/24.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Then two men will be in the field; one is carried off, and one is left behind;<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/24.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Then there shall be two in the field, the one shall be taken and the other left:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/24-40.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=7376" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/24.htm">Readiness at Any Hour</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">39</span>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. <span class="reftext">40</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5119.htm" title="5119: tote (Adv) -- Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that."></a> <a href="/greek/1417.htm" title="1417: dyo (Adj-NMP) -- Two. A primary numeral; two.">Two men</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: esontai (V-FIM-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">will be</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/68.htm" title="68: agrō (N-DMS) -- From ago; a field; genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e. Hamlet.">field:</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: heis (Adj-NMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">one</a> <a href="/greek/3880.htm" title="3880: paralambanetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- From para and lambano; to receive near, i.e. Associate with oneself; by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn.">will be taken</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: heis (Adj-NMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">the other</a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: aphietai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">left.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">41</span>Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-34.htm">Luke 17:34-36</a></span><br />I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed: one will be taken and the other left. / Two women will be grinding grain together: one will be taken and the other left.” / Two men will be in the field: One and will be taken and the other left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:16-17</a></span><br />For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. / After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-51.htm">1 Corinthians 15:51-52</a></span><br />Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— / in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-14.htm">Revelation 14:14-16</a></span><br />And I looked and saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was One like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. / Then another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the One seated on the cloud, “Swing Your sickle and reap, because the time has come to harvest, for the crop of the earth is ripe.” / So the One seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-2.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:2-3</a></span><br />For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. / While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-1.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:1-3</a></span><br />Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, / not to be easily disconcerted or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come. / Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Matthew 13:30</a></span><br />Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-49.htm">Matthew 13:49</a></span><br />So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-3.htm">John 14:3</a></span><br />And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/1-9.htm">Acts 1:9-11</a></span><br />After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. / They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. / “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/12-1.htm">Daniel 12:1-2</a></span><br />“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. / And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/14-5.htm">Zechariah 14:5</a></span><br />You will flee by My mountain valley, for it will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-19.htm">Isaiah 26:19-21</a></span><br />Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead. / Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed. / For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-31.htm">Joel 2:31-32</a></span><br />The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. / And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-17.htm">Malachi 3:17-18</a></span><br />“They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. / So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.</p><p class="hdg">the one.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/33-12.htm">2 Chronicles 33:12-24</a></b></br> And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/17-34.htm">Luke 17:34-37</a></b></br> I tell you, in that night there shall be two <i>men</i> in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/23-39.htm">Luke 23:39-43</a></b></br> And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/22-5.htm">Country</a> <a href="/matthew/24-18.htm">Field</a> <a href="/matthew/20-33.htm">Open</a> <a href="/matthew/20-34.htm">Received</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Country</a> <a href="/matthew/27-7.htm">Field</a> <a href="/matthew/25-11.htm">Open</a> <a href="/matthew/24-41.htm">Received</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 24</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/24-1.htm">Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/24-3.htm">what and how great calamities shall be before it;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/24-29.htm">the signs of his coming to judgment.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/24-36.htm">And because that day and hour are unknown,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">42. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/24-42.htm">we ought to watch like good servants, expecting our Master's coming.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/24.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/24.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Two men will be in the field:</b><br>This phrase sets the scene in an agricultural context, common in first-century Judea. Fields were central to daily life, and working in them was a typical activity. The imagery of two men in the field suggests normalcy and routine, emphasizing the suddenness of the event described. This setting also reflects the agrarian society of Jesus' audience, making the message relatable and immediate. The field can symbolize the world, where people go about their daily lives, unaware of the impending divine intervention.<p><b>one will be taken:</b><br>The phrase "one will be taken" has been interpreted in various ways. Some see it as a reference to the rapture, where believers are taken to be with Christ. This interpretation aligns with passages like <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:16-17</a>, which describe believers being caught up to meet the Lord. Others view it as a form of judgment, where the one taken is removed for punishment, similar to the separation of the wheat and tares in <a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Matthew 13:30</a>. The suddenness of being taken underscores the unexpected nature of Christ's return and the importance of being prepared.<p><b>and the other left:</b><br>The phrase "the other left" highlights the division that will occur at the time of Christ's return. This separation is reminiscent of the parable of the sheep and goats in <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-46</a>, where individuals are divided based on their relationship with Christ. Being "left" can imply remaining for judgment or continuing in the current world, depending on the interpretation of "taken." This division serves as a warning to be vigilant and faithful, as the criteria for being taken or left are not based on external circumstances but on one's spiritual readiness and relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/two_men.htm">Two Men</a></b><br>Represents individuals engaged in daily activities, symbolizing humanity's normal life routines.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_field.htm">The Field</a></b><br>A common setting for work in biblical times, symbolizing the world and everyday life.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/o/one_taken.htm">One Taken</a></b><br>Indicates a sudden selection or removal, often interpreted as being taken by God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_other_left.htm">The Other Left</a></b><br>Represents those who remain, possibly facing judgment or tribulation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus'_discourse_on_the_mount_of_olives.htm">Jesus' Discourse on the Mount of Olives</a></b><br>The context of this verse, where Jesus speaks about the end times and His second coming.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/readiness_for_christ's_return.htm">Readiness for Christ's Return</a></b><br>Believers should live in a state of readiness, as the timing of Christ's return is unknown.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faithful_living.htm">The Importance of Faithful Living</a></b><br>Daily life should reflect faith and obedience, as the separation will be based on one's relationship with Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_selection.htm">Understanding Divine Selection</a></b><br>God's choice is sovereign, and believers should trust in His wisdom and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/urgency_of_evangelism.htm">Urgency of Evangelism</a></b><br>The reality of some being left underscores the need for sharing the Gospel with urgency.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/comfort_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Comfort in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Believers can find peace in knowing that God is in control of the end times and their ultimate destiny.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 24</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_were_verses_removed_from_niv.htm">Why were certain verses removed from the NIV Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_spiritual_sacrifices.htm">What are the key events in Jesus' life timeline?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_'one_taken'_fit_with_other_end_times.htm">How does the “one taken, one left” description (Luke 17:34–35) reconcile with other New Testament passages depicting the end times differently?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jesus_flee_to_egypt_or_return_to_galilee.htm">Was baby Jesus' life threatened in Jerusalem, prompting Joseph to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23), or did the family calmly present him at the temple and return to Galilee (Luke 2:21-40)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(40) <span class= "bld">The one shall be taken.</span>--Literally, the present tense being used to express the certainty of the future, <span class= "ital">one is taken, and one is left.</span> The form of the expression is somewhat obscure, and leaves it uncertain which of the two alternatives is the portion of the chosen ones. Is the man who is "taken" received into fellowship with Christ, while the other is abandoned? or is he carried away as by the storm of judgment, while the other is set free? On the whole, the use of the Greek word in other passages (as, <span class= "ital">e.g.,</span> in <a href="/matthew/1-20.htm" title="But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take to you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.">Matthew 1:20</a>; <a href="/matthew/1-24.htm" title="Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took to him his wife:">Matthew 1:24</a>; <a href="/matthew/12-45.htm" title="Then goes he, and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also to this wicked generation.">Matthew 12:45</a>; <a href="/john/1-11.htm" title="He came to his own, and his own received him not.">John 1:11</a>; <a href="/john/14-3.htm" title="And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.">John 14:3</a>) is in favour of the former interpretation. What is taught in any case is that the day of judgment will be, as by an inevitable law, a day of separation, according to the diversity of character which may exist in the midst of the closest fellowship in outward life.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 40.</span> - The Lord gives two examples of the suddenness of his advent, and its effect in private life. <span class="cmt_word">Shall two be in the field.</span> They shall be working together at their ordinary agricultural occupations, with nothing outwardly to distinguish one from the other, good and bad being mingled together. <span class="cmt_word">The one shall be taken</span> (<span class="greek">παραλαμβανεται</span> <span class="accented">is taken</span>, the present implying certainty), <span class="cmt_word">and the other left</span> (<span class="greek">ἀφίεται</span>, <span class="accented">is deft</span>). Christ speaks as though he saw the scene before him. The "taking" implies separation from companions, as <a href="/matthew/17-1.htm">Matthew 17:1</a>; <a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matthew 18:16</a>, etc. This is the work of the angels (ver. 31). There is some doubt as to the destiny of the two classes named. Are the good "taken" and the evil "left"? or are the evil "taken" and the good "left"? Some suppose that the terms allude to the sudden approach of a hostile army by which some are taken prisioners and others allowed to escape; or, since in the parable the tares are first gathered for the burning, those taken must be the wicked, those left are for storing in the everlasting garner. On the other hand, many commentators understand the verbs in a sense opposite to that mentioned above. As (ver. 31) the angels are sent forth to gather the elect, the "taken" are of this class, who are caught away to meet the Lord and his saints (<a href="/1_thessalonians/4-17.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:17</a>; <a href="/john/14-3.htm">John 14:3</a>), while the others are left for judgment and reprobation (<a href="/2_thessalonians/1-7.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:7-9</a>). Bengel, continuing the reference to the Flood, writes, "<span class="accented">Assumitur</span> in tutelam (ver. 31), ut Noachus cum domo sua; <span class="accented">sinitur</span> in periculis, quicquid obveniat, ut homines in diluvio." The latter interpretation of the two seems to be the correct one. At any rate, it is plain that the nicest discrimination is exercised, and that among men and women, in all conditions of life, a final severance shall then be made, which shall apportion their lot in the other world. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/24-40.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Two [men]</span><br /><span class="grk">δύο</span> <span class="translit">(dyo)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1417.htm">Strong's 1417: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔσονται</span> <span class="translit">(esontai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῷ</span> <span class="translit">(tō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">field:</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀγρῷ</span> <span class="translit">(agrō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> </span><span class="str2">From ago; a field; genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e. Hamlet.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="grk">εἷς</span> <span class="translit">(heis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> </span><span class="str2">One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be taken</span><br /><span class="grk">παραλαμβάνεται</span> <span class="translit">(paralambanetai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3880.htm">Strong's 3880: </a> </span><span class="str2">From para and lambano; to receive near, i.e. Associate with oneself; by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the other]</span><br /><span class="grk">εἷς</span> <span class="translit">(heis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> </span><span class="str2">One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">left.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀφίεται</span> <span class="translit">(aphietai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/24-40.htm">Matthew 24:40 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/24-40.htm">Matthew 24:40 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/24-40.htm">Matthew 24:40 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/24-40.htm">Matthew 24:40 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/24-40.htm">Matthew 24:40 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/24-40.htm">Matthew 24:40 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/24-40.htm">Matthew 24:40 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/24-40.htm">Matthew 24:40 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/24-40.htm">Matthew 24:40 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/24-40.htm">Matthew 24:40 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/24-40.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 24:40 Then two men will be (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/24-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 24:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 24:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/24-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 24:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 24:41" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>