Matthew 24:41
What does Matthew 24:41 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 24:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 24:41 means
Further illustrating the sudden and definitive separation, Jesus states, "two women shall be grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left." This reinforces the point made in the previous verse: even individuals engaged in the same mundane activities will face different fates when Christ returns. The act of grinding grain was a common, laborious task, highlighting that His coming will cut across all daily life, separating the prepared from the unprepared, regardless of social status or occupation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000two women shall be grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901two women shall be grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Two women will be crushing grain; one is taken, and one let go.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862two women shall be grinding in the mill, one is received, and one is left.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Two women shall be grinding at the mill. One shall be taken and one shall be left.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890two [women] grinding at the mill, one is taken and one is left.
Context
This verse provides a parallel example to verse 40, continuing to illustrate the sudden and decisive separation at Christ's return. By depicting two women at the mill, it reiterates that seemingly identical circumstances will not prevent individual judgment, directly leading to the overarching command for watchfulness that this imminent separation necessitates.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 17:35
There shall be two women grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
- Isaiah 47:2
Take the millstones, and grind meal; remove thy veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg, pass through the rivers.
- Exodus 11:5
and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born of cattle.
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