Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Matthew: Chapter 24].
24:29 {Immediately} (\euthe•s\). This word, common in Mark's
Gospel as \euthus\, gives trouble if one stresses the time
element. The problem is how much time intervenes between "the
tribulation of those days" and the vivid symbolism of verse 29.
The use of \en tachei\ in Re 1:1 should make one pause before
he decides. Here we have a prophetic panorama like that with
foreshortened perspective. The apocalyptic pictures in verse 29
also call for sobriety of judgment. One may compare Joel's
prophecy as interpreted by Peter in Ac 21:16-22. Literalism is
not appropriate in this apocalyptic eschatology.
24:30 {The sign of the Son of Man in heaven} (\to s•meion tou
huiou tou anthr•pou en ouran•i\). Many theories have been
suggested like the cross in the sky, etc. Bruce sees a reference
to Da 7:13 "one like the Son of man" and holds that Christ
himself is the sign in question (the genitive of apposition).
This is certainly possible. It is confirmed by the rest of the
verse: "They shall see the Son of man coming." See Mt 16:27;
26:64. The Jews had repeatedly asked for such a sign (Broadus)
as in Mt 12:38; 16:1; Joh 2:18.
24:31 {With a great sound of a trumpet} (\meta salpiggos ph•n•s
megal•s\). Some MSS. omit (\ph•n•s\) "sound." The trumpet was the
signal employed to call the hosts of Israel to march as to war
and is common in prophetic imagery (Isa 27:13). Cf. the seventh
angel (Re 11:15). Clearly "the coming of the son of man is not
to be identified with the judgment of Jerusalem but rather forms
its preternatural background" (Bruce).
24:32 {Putteth forth its leaves} (\ta phulla ekphu•i\). Present
active subjunctive according to Westcott and Hort. If accented
\ekphu•i\ (last syllable), it is second aorist passive
subjunctive (Erasmus).
24:34 {This generation} (\h• genea haut•\). The problem is
whether Jesus is here referring to the destruction of Jerusalem
or to the second coming and end of the world. If to the
destruction of Jerusalem, there was a literal fulfilment. In the
Old Testament a generation was reckoned as forty years. This is
the natural way to take verse 34 as of 33 (Bruce), "all
things" meaning the same in both verses.
24:36 {Not even the Son} (\oude ho huios\). Probably genuine,
though absent in some ancient MSS. The idea is really involved in
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