Interpretation Project 1 
Lauren Turner
Dr. Christopher Backert
BIBL 110
10 November 2014
The small story in Matthew 24: 42-44 compares the coming of Christ with a “thief” (Matthew 24:43) breaking into someone’s house at night. This small story tells us that Jesus is going to be coming at an hour that no one on earth will be expecting. The central message of the story is that Jesus wants his children to “keep watch” (Matthew 24:42) and “be ready” (Matthew 24:44) for Jesus when He comes at this unexpected hour. The story before Matthew 24: 42-44 is found in Matthew 24:36-4, which tells us that the Father is the only one who knows when the coming of the Son of Man will be. The text says that just as the corrupt and sinful people of Noah’s time had no knowledge of a flood coming their way, the people on the day of Christ’s return will have no idea that Christ is on His way. The central message is that only the Father knows when Christ will return. The central message is also conveying that those who are living a life against God will not be taken home with Christ when He returns, but those living for God will be brought to Heaven for eternal life with Christ.
The story after Matthew 24:42-44 is in Matthew 24:45-51, which tells us that Jesus has assigned His people to take care of the earth and the things on it until His return. Jesus will surely punish those who have been abusing their power Christ has entrusted to them by throwing them into hell. The central message is to always be intentional about treating the people and things on the earth that our “Master” (or Heavenly Father) has created in a way that will be pleasing to Him. This will ensure that we will not be thrown into hell “where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:51). By looking closely at what each of these short stories’ central messages are and what they have to say about Jesus, I see what the writer is trying to say by putting these three stories together. What these three stories have in common
Dr. Christopher Backert
BIBL 110
10 November 2014
The small story in Matthew 24: 42-44 compares the coming of Christ with a “thief” (Matthew 24:43) breaking into someone’s house at night. This small story tells us that Jesus is going to be coming at an hour that no one on earth will be expecting. The central message of the story is that Jesus wants his children to “keep watch” (Matthew 24:42) and “be ready” (Matthew 24:44) for Jesus when He comes at this unexpected hour. The story before Matthew 24: 42-44 is found in Matthew 24:36-4, which tells us that the Father is the only one who knows when the coming of the Son of Man will be. The text says that just as the corrupt and sinful people of Noah’s time had no knowledge of a flood coming their way, the people on the day of Christ’s return will have no idea that Christ is on His way. The central message is that only the Father knows when Christ will return. The central message is also conveying that those who are living a life against God will not be taken home with Christ when He returns, but those living for God will be brought to Heaven for eternal life with Christ.
The story after Matthew 24:42-44 is in Matthew 24:45-51, which tells us that Jesus has assigned His people to take care of the earth and the things on it until His return. Jesus will surely punish those who have been abusing their power Christ has entrusted to them by throwing them into hell. The central message is to always be intentional about treating the people and things on the earth that our “Master” (or Heavenly Father) has created in a way that will be pleasing to Him. This will ensure that we will not be thrown into hell “where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:51). By looking closely at what each of these short stories’ central messages are and what they have to say about Jesus, I see what the writer is trying to say by putting these three stories together. What these three stories have in common